Assistant Manager - Innovation & Renovation

At Cargills, we are not just a Company; we are a cornerstone of Sri Lanka's vibrant economy. With a heritage spanning over 180 years, we have continuously evolved to become a leading force in multiple industries, including Retail, FMCG, Restaurants, Financial Services, Agribusiness, Cinemas, Hospitality, and Real Estate. Built on a strong foundation of values and ethics, we have spread our reach across Sri Lanka, with investments and operations that touch the lives of millions of consumers, farmers, and entrepreneurs on a daily basis. We are committed to leveraging technology to enhance operational excellence, create sustainable markets, and foster employment opportunities, all whilst actively engaging in initiatives that uplift communities and protect the environment to build a brighter future for all.Unlock your potential at Cargills as an Assistant Manager - New Product Development for Cargills Convenient Foods - Ja-ela.Job Role:Product Innovation & Development:Lead the end-to-end development of innovative new processed meat products and improvements to existing ones, focusing on quality, nutrition, sensory appeal, and cost-effectiveness. Manage all development phases—from ideation to lab trials, pilot and plant trials, scale-up, and final launch.Consumer & Sensory Insights:Analyze market trends and consumer feedback to guide innovation. Conduct sensory evaluations and optimize product performance based on data.Quality, Safety & Compliance:Ensure all products meet internal and external standards for sensory quality, cost, nutrition, food safety, and regulatory compliance, including GFSI, ISO and Halal requirements.Cross-Functional Collaboration:Work closely with Marketing, QA, Production, Procurement, and Regulatory teams to align product development with business goals. Sample arrangement for requested customers.Project & Resource Management:Plan, prioritize, and manage multiple NPD projects, ensuring timely execution and documentation. Source and evaluate new ingredients and packaging in collaboration with suppliers.Strategic Alignment:Ensure all development activities support Cargills Convenient Foods’ strategic direction, brand values, and operational policies. Stay updated on industry trends to enrich the innovation pipeline.Documented InformationRetain the documented information for every development data, Evaluation results, NPD records, and proper approvals for each and every NPD or R&D implementation. Ensure the confidential status for evaluation results, NPD recipes and other implementation.Other Duties:Any other projects or tasks as requested by the Management.Candidate Requirements:Passionate about Sri Lanka; you're committed to making a positive impact for our Country and its people.Minimum 5 years’ experience in New Product Development or related experience within meat, food or similar industry.Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or other related field of study.Strong hands-on experience in meat processing, formulation, and sensory evaluation.Solid knowledge of food product composition, quality, hygiene, GMP, food safety standards, and quality systems.Proficient in scaling up trial processes and using food analytical tools.Familiarity with raw materials, including additives (e.g., colors, flavors, stabilizers, emulsifiers).Self-motivated, result-oriented, with a clear focus on quality.Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills.Strong time management and documentation capabilities.Embody our Values: Customer Centric, Accountable, Respect, Green, Innovative, Love, Lead & Serve the Nation.Should be able to work from our factory located in Ja-ela.*By applying, you consent to Cargills Ceylon PLC processing your personal information for recruitment purposes. Your data will be kept confidential and accessed only by authorized personnel.