Position Title: Sr. Manager R&D
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: VilleneuvedAscq RD
Grade: Grade 06
Requisition ID: 37282
As R&D Manager for the Potato Category in the EMENA region, you will be responsible for leading the development and delivery of a robust product pipeline that drives innovation, portfolio maintenance, and value creation across our potato portfolio in all channels (Retail, Foodservice and QSR).
You will work cross-functionally with Marketing, Commercial, Operation, Supply Chain, Engineering, TechOps, Procurement, Global R&D, and other disciplines, leveraging strong project management principles to ensure best-in-class execution.
You will also be responsible for the day-to-day management and development of a high-performing technical team, fostering a collaborative and growth-mindset culture. Through close alignment with global and regional business strategies, you will translate consumer insights and demand spaces into product development initiatives, championing operational efficiency, and technical excellence.
What you’ll be doing.
Product Development & Technical Leadership
You lead the successful execution of product development projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring adherence to quality, safety, time, and cost standards, for new products, renovation, cost optimization, product maintenance and manufacturing efficiency.
You’re the main partner with Marketing, Consumer Insights and Sensory & UX teams to translate consumer needs and demand spaces into actionable technical briefs.
You provide technical project leadership, representing technical functions in the stage-gate process (ILT): Procurement, TechOps, Manufacturing.
You will partner with manufacturing to successfully scale up new product and process designs.
You actively participate in EMENA and GB Management Team, staying informed of business/industry priorities and conveying this information to your team.
You identify synergies and efficiencies with GB R&D and Global R&D for Interco, SCA, and global innovation programs.
You oversee the budget management for Potato for EMENA.
Communication
You provide consistent updates on project milestones and risks to R&D leadership: (Sr) Director/VP using standardized reporting and governance tools.
People Leadership & Team Development
You manage and coach a team of scientists and technical leads across the EMENA region.
You build team capability on process technology, product design, scale up and data driven decision making. You also build a culture of technical curiosity, accountability, continuous improvement and growth mindset.
You drive people performance plans, conduct regular KPI reviews, and support succession planning for all direct reports. Ensure the successful completion of Personal Development Plans (PDPs) in collaboration with them. Utilize these reviews as effective development tools for team members by conducting quarterly evaluations.
You’re the champion of team development, especially in areas like Design of Experiments (DOE), prototype design, and manufacturing scale-up.
What you’ll need to be successful.
Minimum of 8 years of working in a fast-moving consumer goods and food environment
A proven experience in leading product development projects, ideally on a regional scope.
Strong understanding of quality, safety, time, and cost management.
Excellent understanding of process technology.
Savvy with data and experimental design, enabling data driven decision making.
Ability to build and maintain strategic relationships.
Degree level in food science or technology, chemical engineering or related.
Experience of managing people and delivery of NPD and VE projects to consumer requirements using project management Principles.
Full clean Driving Licence and willingness to travel as and when required
Excellent communication (verbal, written) proven at senior levels in cross-departmental working
Passionate about developing people
Benefits of the role.
An environment where you can continue to grow and learn everything about the international food industry
A competitive salary over 13 months
Profit-sharing/participation around 10%
35 days of annual leave (25 days of paid vacation and 10 days of reduced working time)
An excellent pension plan
Mutual insurance, life insurance, PEE & PERECO
The national collective agreement for the processed food industry applies
About the team.
You report to the R&D Director and manage 5 people.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
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Job Family: Research & Development
Division: Global Research and Development
Department: Research and Development GB
Location(s): FR - France : Nord : Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Company: McCain Alimentaire SAS