Research and Development Manager

About the company

Geekhunter is hiring on behalf of our client, a fitness nutrition and supplement company based in Indonesia.

Job Responsibilities

• Product Innovation & Strategy: Lead the R&D of new fitness supplements based on market trends, consumer needs, and business goals, while continuously monitoring competitors to propose cutting-edge concepts.
• Formulation & Development: Design and execute formulas across multiple delivery formats (powders, capsules, tablets, RTDs) including the sourcing, evaluation, and testing of raw materials.
• Trials & Quality Assurance: Oversee lab-scale and pilot-scale trials to ensure all products hit strict targets for taste, texture, solubility, stability, and overall quality.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with QC, Production, Regulatory, and Marketing teams to seamlessly transition concepts into successful commercial launches.
• Lifecycle Management: Continually optimize existing product formulas to improve costs, adapt to regulatory updates, and act on customer feedback.
• Compliance & Documentation: Review and approve ingredients based on scientific data and supplier documents, ensuring all R&D files (specifications, trial reports, SOPs) are accurate and audit-ready.
• Technical Leadership: Lead technical presentations, spearhead internal product training, and provide scientific insights to support marketing and brand storytelling.
• Team Management: Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing R&D team, driving a culture centered on innovation, agility, and accountability.

Job Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of proven R&D experience, specifically within the dietary supplement, nutraceutical, or functional food industry.
• Technical Formulation: Strong understanding of supplement formulations, including protein blends, BCAAs, vitamins, and other active ingredients.
• Regulatory & Compliance: In-depth knowledge of food/supplement regulations (BPOM, Halal, GMP, HACCP) and product registration requirements.
• End-to-End Product Lifecycle: Hands-on experience managing products from initial concept and formulation through pilot scale-up and successful market launch.
• Scientific Evaluation: Skilled in analyzing ingredient functionality, product stability, sensory attributes, and conducting shelf-life studies.
• Compliance & Technical Writing: Proficient in maintaining documentation, technical writing, and preparing dossiers for regulatory approvals.
• Market Awareness: Strong familiarity with current trends in sports nutrition, health supplements, and consumer buying behavior.
• Leadership & Communication: Excellent project management, leadership, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Industry Network (Plus): An established network with raw material suppliers, testing laboratories, or external research institutions is highly advantageous.