Research And Development Manager
27 days ago
Bristol
Our client, a well-established and respected Food & Beverage manufacturer based in central Bristol, is seeking an Research & Development Manager to join the business in a newly created role. This is a high-impact opportunity to take full ownership of the product development lifecycle while shaping and leading a growing R&D function. You’ll play a pivotal role in turning innovative concepts into scalable, commercially successful products. The Role As R&D Manager, you will: • Lead, mentor, and develop a small, capable R&D team, • Establish structure, governance, and best practice across R&D projects, • Drive new products from concept through development, scale-up, and commercial launch, • Identify both BAU and “blue-sky” R&D opportunities aligned to commercial strategy, • Plan, manage, and document development and scale-up trials, • Ensure full traceability and compliant technical documentation, • Maintain ISO, food safety, and GMP standards within R&D operations, • Oversee R&D facilities and equipment, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, • Transfer technologies from pilot trials into full-scale production, • Prepare and present technical and project updates to senior leadership, • Collaborate closely with Commercial, NPD, and Technical teams to deliver projects on time and within budget Candidate Requirements • Significant and demonstrable experience within R&D (Food, Flavour, Chemicals, or another regulated manufacturing environment), • Degree-qualified in a relevant scientific or technical discipline, • Proven experience managing or mentoring technical teams, • Strong track record in product development, scale-up, and commercialisation