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Senior R&D Taste manager

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

This role manages RD&A activities for Taste within the assigned subregions, ensuring product developments align with the Taste and EUM strategy. It drives continuous improvement of RD&A processes to secure efficient, accurate, and timely delivery of product development outcomes.

The position oversees and develops the flavour creation team, sampling team, and taste application team (when applicable). It also supports Taste technology needs and facilitates integration across functions and technologies.

Key responsibilities

  • Develop and coach team members.
  • Lead RD&A project activity.
  • Partner with Taste and EUM leaders on strategy deployment.
  • Collaborate cross‑functionally with RD&A, commercial, shared services, and operations teams.
  • Improve RD&A product development processes.
  • Manage and protect intellectual property.
  • Ensure product cost alignment with requirements.
  • Manage resource allocation and hours invested in projects.
  • Support flavorist training initiatives.
  • Support global and regional Taste innovation programs.
  • Provide input to RD&A product cost assessments.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
  • Support customer satisfaction through strong technical service.
  • Contribute to product troubleshooting and problem solving.
  • Support delivery of service KPIs.

Qualifications and skills

  • Degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related fields.
  • Strong knowledge of Taste creation and development (flavour chemicals, sweet and/or savoury technologies).
  • Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Understanding of the Taste and Food Industry structure and regulatory landscape.
  • Strong communication and influencing skills.
  • Expertise in taste product development, product functionality, and flavour chemistry.
  • Understanding of food production processes.
  • Fluency in English; additional fluency in Portuguese advantage.
  • People management experience, strategic mindset, and strong business acumen.
  • Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
  • 10+ years of experience in the Taste/Flavour industry.
  • 3+ years of experience in people management.
  • Experience in Flavours, Food Industry, RD&A, Technical Services, or Quality/Safety roles.
  • Experience working in matrix organizations and collaborating with senior leadership.

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