To support and drive end-to-end product development initiatives in alignment with regional product strategy. The Assistant Manager is responsible for managing multiple R&D projects, localising and innovating products for the base market, ensuring quality, cost competitiveness, compliance, and operational feasibility, while acting as a key bridge between HQ, regional teams, suppliers, and operations.

• Lead and support new product development projects from ideation to launch, including concept creation, formulation, testing, costing, and commercialisation.
• Manage multiple product development timelines concurrently, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Ensure local product development initiatives align with regional standards, frameworks, and brand direction.
• Collaborate closely with regional product teams to share insights, align strategies, and contribute to regional product portfolio success.
• Develop, enhance, and localise beverage and/or food products based on market trends, sales data, operational effectiveness, and customer demographics.
• Conduct market, consumer, and competitor analysis to identify white spaces and opportunities for innovation.
• Establish and validate product costing, margin targets, and feasibility for new and revised formulations.
• Lead and facilitate product tasting, sensory evaluation, benchmarking, and iterative improvement sessions.
• Work closely with Operations to ensure products are scalable, operationally viable, and SOP-ready before launch.
• Prepare feasibility studies, business cases, and post-launch reviews to ensure products remain competitive and profitable.

Qualification and Experience

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Arts, Culinology, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in F&B product development or R&D, preferably within a chain or retail environment.
• Experience in beverage development and/or coffee-related industry is an added advantage.
• Strong understanding of product development processes from concept to commercialisation.
• Good sensory evaluation and benchmarking skills.
• Solid knowledge of ingredient functionality, formulation, and costing.
• Project management capability with strong attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, and relevant documentation tools.
• Good command of written and spoken English (additional languages are an advantage).

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