Sr. Product Development Manager

About the role

Lead the practical creation, reformulation, and commercial scaling of new food solutions. While R&D focuses on foundational lipid chemistry and research, this role centers on benchtop-to-factory execution, product application, client co-creation, and speed-to-market. You will manage a team of Product Developers and Food Technologists who translate customer briefs into viable formulations across specialty margarines, shortenings, frying oils, cocoa butter substitutes, and bakery/dairy systems.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development, from customer brief and benchtop prototyping to sensory evaluation and final sign-off
• Formulate specialty fats, emulsified shortenings, non-trans fat alternatives, and plant-based lipid systems for specific client applications (e.g., melt profile, aeration, frying stability, shelf life)
• Oversee sensory panels, shelf-life studies, and physical/chemical characterizations of new products
• Bridge bench scale and commercial production by leading pilot plant testing and full-scale manufacturing trials
• Troubleshoot processing issues (e.g., crystallization rates, texture inconsistencies, phase separation) during line scale-up with Plant Operations
• Work directly with key accounts (QSRs, industrial food plants) as a technical advisor to develop custom ingredient solutions
• Conduct technical presentations, product demonstrations, and application trials at client sites or in-house application centre.
• Lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) projects to optimize recipe costs, evaluate alternative raw oil supplies, and streamline ingredient SKU counts without compromising performance
• Partner with Procurement to test and qualify new vendors and alternative raw materials
• Mentor and manage Product Technologists and Application Specialists, driving project pipeline velocity and accountability
• Ensure all new formulations strictly adhere to Philippine FDA regulations, Halal compliance, HACCP, FSSC 22000, and client specifications

About you

• BS or MS in Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or Food Science
• 8-12 years in B2B food product development, including 3-5+ years in a senior/managerial role handling fats, oils, bakery, or confectionery applications
• In-depth knowledge of fat crystallization, emulsification systems, melting profiles (SFC), oxidation stability, and oil blending/fractionation techniques
• Proven track record of taking benchtop formulas through plant trials to full commercial release
• Strong commercial mindset with experience leading technical exchanges with B2B clients and industrial buyers
• Thorough understanding of Halal certification, FSSC 22000, and Philippine FDA food labelling/composition standards

About us

Oleo-Fats Incorporated is the Philippines' premier manufacturer of specialty fats, oils, and customized food ingredients. We serve leading global fast-food chains, industrial bakeries, confectioners, and processed food manufacturers, turning complex client needs into tailored, market-ready ingredient systems.