R&D Project and Product Manager

Role descriptionThe R&D Project and Product Manager acts as the operational backbone of the R&D function, ensuring customer projects, internal initiatives, and laboratory activities are prioritised, structured, and executed efficiently.This role does provide project management, operational guidance, mentorship, and quality oversight to enable the R&D team to focus on high-value technical work.Your MissionLead and structure cross-functional R&D projects from brief to delivery, ensuring clear scope definition, timelines, ownership, and execution across local and global teams. Own and maintain all project workflows and tasks in Jira.Own internal customer project intake, prioritisation, and execution, working closely with Sales, R&D, and Applications to ensure delivery timelines, technical feasibility, and commercial priorities are aligned and performance KPIs are met.Act as the UAE product management coordinator, working in partnership with global Product Management and Applications teams to: Support flavour selection and application fit for customer projects.Ensure alignment with the global portfolio, innovation roadmap, and approved ingredients.Feed local market needs, customer insights, and gaps back into global portfolio discussions.Manage and coordinate local product lifecycle activities, including product introductions, reformulations, discontinuations, and documentation alignment, ensuring smooth implementation at the UAE level.Own local quality, safety, and R&D operations, acting as the primary point of contact for quality documentation, audits, and corrective actions; planning and forecasting lab and R&D resource needs (consumables, equipment maintenance, capacity, operational readiness); and ensuring clear, consistent, and up-to-date R&D documentation in Confluence, including hands-on review and guidance to the team on structured project reporting.Serve as the first point of escalation for R&D-related issues, helping unblock bottlenecks and ensuring smooth cross-functional collaboration.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Business Administration, Science, or a related field.Experience in an R&D coordination/operations or technical project management role, preferably in a scientific or technical environment.Highly organised, structured, and detail-oriented, with the ability to zoom out to prioritise effectively.Strong communication skills – excellent written and verbal communication skills.Ability to work independently and handle sensitive information with professionalism.Preferred QualificationsPeople-person, must be able to assist members of the team at all levels.Experience working with JIRA, Confluence, and structured quality systems.Solid understanding of R&D environments, preferably in food safety, lab compliance, and 5S principles.Why you'll love working hereExciting tasks in an internationally operating, growing family business with flat hierarchiesResponsibility from day one in a company that encourages personal responsibility and growth30 days paid vacation per year4 weeks of remote work annually (internationally)Annual flight allowance for full-time expats (after one year)Flexible working hours and a hybrid working modelOption to swap one day of an Islamic holiday for a cultural or religious day of your choiceRegular company eventsPaid team dinners or activities for each teamComprehensive private group health insuranceOngoing learning and development support, including internal trainings, role-specific courses, and access to LinkedIn LearningOur ProcessInitial screening with recruiter.Technical interview(s) with hiring manager.Challenge (task-based).J-18808-Ljbffr