R&D Assistant Manager - Food Manufacturing

🚀 Hiring: R&D Assistant Manager - Food Manufacturing

📍 Location: Batu Pahat, Johor.

Desa Southern Food Products Sdn. Bhd. is an established halal food manufacturer with a strong presence in Malaysia’s FMCG industry, specialising in preserved fruits and nuts products.

As part of our growth and focus on innovation, we are looking for a capable R&D professional to drive product development and support the commercialization of new and improved products.

Key Responsibilities:

In this role, you will be responsible for:
  • Leading new product development (NPD) projects from concept, formulation, trial, to successful commercialization
  • Developing and improving product formulations for preserved fruits, nuts, and snack products , ensuring quality, consistency, and scalability
  • Evaluating formulations based on sensory attributes, ingredient functionality, cost feasibility, and regulatory compliance (Halal & food regulations)
  • Monitoring market trends and consumer preferences to support product innovation and improvement initiatives
  • Leading or participating in cross-functional discussions to align product development with business and commercial objectives
  • Working closely with Purchasing to source new ingredients, evaluate supplier materials, and identify cost-effective alternatives
  • Collaborating with QA to ensure product compliance with food safety standards and labelling requirements
  • Managing product documentation , including formulations, specifications, and development reports and ensure compliance with food regulations (local & export country) and Halal requirements
  • Reviewing packaging and labelling artwork to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
  • Tracking and reporting project progress, timelines, and KPIs to management
Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science & Technology, Food Engineering, Nutrition Science or related field
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in food manufacturing or product development
  • Hands-on experience in formulation, product trials, and commercialization
  • Experience in snack, dried fruit, nut, or beverage premix industry is an advantage
  • Knowledge of food labelling and regulatory requirements
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and practical execution skills
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects
Why Join Us
  • Opportunity to drive end-to-end product development from concept to launch
  • Hands-on exposure in a practical FMCG manufacturing environment
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams across the business
  • Contribute directly to innovation and product growth strategy
đź“© Interested candidates may apply via LinkedIn or email your CV to: pwtay@miaow.com.my
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