About this role
- Key responsibilites : Product development leadership: Lead the local R&D team of product developers to deliver new products, reformulations, and product improvements in line with market needs, commercial priorities, and the central R&D roadmap Innovation & NPD pipeline: Build and manage a robust innovation pipeline combining locally driven initiatives with projects steered by central R&D.
- Coordinate prioritization and resource allocation to maximize time-to-market and commercial impact Cost optimization: Identify and implement ingredient and process optimization opportunities to reduce product costs while maintaining or improving quality People leadership: Develop and coach the local R&D team, foster a culture of innovation and accountability, and ensure effective knowledge transfer across the organization Stakeholder management: Collaborate closely with Commercial, Marketing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and the Bakery Products Business Line.
- Support commercial team during customers’ meetings.
- Act as the regional technical partner in customer co-development initiatives and work with the central R&D team on shared projects and knowledge exchange.
- Candidate profile : You hold a Master's degree in Food Technology or a related field and combine this with at least 8 years of relevant experience within the food industry.
- Experience with bakery products is a strong asset.
- You have at least 5 years of experience in people management role, with cross functional R&D project leader background.
- You have experience working with multinational customers and a proven track record of customer co-creation and innovation partnerships.
- You have a mature business mindset, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.
- You are proactive, energetic, and willing to challenge the status quo.
- You are a team player with a collaborative mindset, fostering strong cross-functional partnerships with sales & operations.
- You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, in Polish & English.
- Additional regional languages are considered an advantage.