Head of R&D (FMCG - Product Development)

As Head of Research and Development – Product Development (FMCG), you will play a central role in driving the company’s innovation agenda. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve guiding multidisciplinary teams through every stage of product development—from ideation to commercialisation—ensuring that each project aligns with strategic business goals

Head of Research and Development – Product Development (FMCG - F&B)
Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Jakarta

Keywords: collaborative, innovation pipeline, product development lifecycle, cross-functional teamwork, regulatory compliance, consumer insights, commercial partnership, quality standards, mentoring, sustainability initiatives

A leading food and FMCG organisation in Indonesia is seeking a Head of Research and Development to spearhead its Product Development and Innovation function. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape the future of food products, translating commercial opportunities into scalable, market-ready solutions that delight consumers and drive business growth. You will be at the heart of a collaborative environment, working closely with teams across Commercial, Marketing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Quality to build a robust innovation pipeline. The company values flexibility, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement, providing an inclusive workplace where your expertise in product development can truly make an impact. If you are passionate about launching successful food products, optimising processes for quality and cost efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation, this is your chance to lead a talented team and advance your career in one of Indonesia’s most respected FMCG organisations.

Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle from concept generation through to post-launch evaluation, ensuring speed-to-market and operational feasibility.
Work collaboratively with Commercial, Marketing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Quality teams to optimise existing products and strengthen competitive positioning across multiple food categories.
Enjoy a supportive leadership environment that encourages knowledge sharing, professional growth, and sustainability initiatives within a dynamic FMCG setting.

What you'll do:

As Head of Research and Development – Product Development (FMCG), you will play a central role in driving the company’s innovation agenda. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve guiding multidisciplinary teams through every stage of product development—from ideation to commercialisation—ensuring that each project aligns with strategic business goals. You will leverage consumer insights to inform new product launches while optimising existing offerings for quality and cost efficiency. By partnering with Commercial and Marketing colleagues, you will help identify emerging opportunities in the market and translate them into tangible products that resonate with customers. Your technical expertise will be crucial during plant trials as you work alongside Operations to ensure scalability. Additionally, you will uphold rigorous regulatory standards by collaborating with QA/QC professionals. Success in this role requires nurturing talent within your team through mentoring and clear goal-setting while championing sustainability initiatives that support long-term business growth.

Guide the entire product development process from initial concept creation through formulation, prototyping, pilot trials, commercialisation, and post-launch assessment to ensure innovative products reach the market efficiently.
Develop and execute comprehensive R&D strategies that align with business growth objectives while leveraging consumer insights and market trends to drive the innovation pipeline.
Lead new product development projects as well as product renovation and cost optimisation initiatives across diverse food categories while maintaining high standards of quality and commercial viability.
Collaborate closely with Marketing and Commercial teams to identify new business opportunities based on consumer needs and translate these insights into commercially successful products.
Support customer presentations, innovation workshops, and key customer development activities by providing technical expertise and creative solutions.
Evaluate new ingredients, packaging options, and emerging technologies to enhance product competitiveness in the marketplace.
Ensure all formulations are scalable for commercial manufacturing by working hand-in-hand with Operations and Engineering teams during plant trials and product launches.
Champion manufacturing optimisation efforts including yield improvement and consistency in product quality while resolving technical challenges related to production processes.
Maintain strict compliance with food safety regulations such as HACCP, GMP, Halal, BPOM as well as international standards by collaborating with QA/QC and Regulatory Affairs teams.
Mentor and develop the R&D team by establishing clear KPIs, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, promoting cross-functional teamwork across departments.

What you bring:

To excel as Head of Research and Development – Product Development (FMCG), you will bring extensive experience from the Food & Beverage sector—ideally gained within fast-moving consumer goods settings such as dairy or frozen foods. Your academic background should include relevant degrees in Food Technology or related fields; advanced qualifications are highly valued. You have led multidisciplinary teams through complex product launches using your deep understanding of formulation science and processing technologies. Your familiarity with regulatory frameworks like HACCP or BPOM ensures compliance at every stage. Beyond technical prowess, your project management skills enable seamless coordination between departments while balancing innovation against operational constraints. Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia allows you to connect effectively across diverse teams. Above all else, your ability to mentor others fosters an environment where collaboration thrives—driving both individual growth and organisational success.

Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition or related discipline is required; a Master’s degree is advantageous for deeper technical expertise.
Minimum 12–15 years’ experience in Food & Beverage R&D with at least 5 years spent in a leadership capacity overseeing complex projects.
Demonstrated success in New Product Development (NPD) including proven track record of launching commercially viable food products into the market.
Extensive experience working within FMCG environments such as food manufacturing, dairy, beverage, frozen food or consumer packaged goods businesses.
Comprehensive understanding of food ingredients, formulation techniques, processing technologies as well as shelf-life development for various products.
In-depth knowledge of HACCP, GMP, Halal certification processes along with BPOM requirements plus familiarity with international food safety standards.
Exceptional project management skills enabling you to coordinate multiple stakeholders across departments while delivering projects on time.
Strong commercial acumen allowing you to balance innovation priorities with quality assurance measures alongside cost optimisation strategies.
Fluency in both English and Bahasa Indonesia is essential for effective communication across local and international teams.
Excellent stakeholder management abilities coupled with interpersonal skills that foster collaboration among cross-functional groups.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its commitment to building a collaborative culture where knowledge sharing is encouraged at every level. Employees benefit from supportive leadership that prioritises professional development through training opportunities tailored to individual needs. The company invests heavily in sustainability initiatives—whether it’s sourcing responsible ingredients or innovating eco-friendly packaging solutions—demonstrating genuine care for both people and planet. Cross-functional teamwork is embedded into daily operations so you’ll always feel connected to colleagues from different departments who share your passion for excellence. With access to cutting-edge technology platforms plus strong partnerships with universities and research institutions worldwide, you’ll have ample resources at your disposal for driving impactful change within Indonesia’s vibrant FMCG landscape.

What's next:

If you’re ready to take your R&D leadership skills to new heights within an inclusive FMCG environment that values innovation and teamwork—this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.