R&D Manager

Job Role:Entering a transformative growth phase, the company is expanding its R&D infrastructure to accelerate new product innovation, cost optimization, and category leadership. To lead this function, Our client is onboarding an R&D Manager to oversee their BSD laboratory, drive formulation breakthroughs, and lead a dedicated team of R&D specialists.The R&D Manager is a critical leadership position responsible for directing the research, development, formulation, and commercialization of new and existing health supplements and sports nutrition products for the company. This is a hands-on management role that demands a balance of deep technical mastery in sports nutrition, business-driven COGS optimization, and active leadership, from a leader who lives and breathes fitness, possesses a genuine obsession with supplement formulations (protein isolates, amino acids, creatine, functional actives), and takes direct ownership of laboratory trials to build innovative, market-winning products.R&D & Operational Model:Full product lifecycle management: Concept > Raw Material Sourcing > Formulation > Lab & Pilot Scale Trials > Factory Scale-up > Commercial Launch. Focus: Flavor masking, solubility, sensory evaluation, active ingredient stability, and COGS optimization.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Formulation Leadership:Lead end-to-end R&D for innovative sports nutrition and fitness supplement products based on consumer trends, scientific literature, and company growth targets. Design and execute advanced formulations across various delivery formats (powder blends, capsules, tablets, RTDs, stick packs), optimizing taste, solubility, sensory profiling, and active ingredient stability. Laboratory & Scale-Up Management:Direct lab-scale and pilot-scale trials in the BSD facility, ensuring seamless technical transfer to manufacturing plants in Jakarta and Tangerang. Troubleshoot complex formulation challenges including flavor masking, dispersibility, ingredient interactions, and shelf-life degradation. Business Impact & COGS Optimization:Drive measurable financial impact by optimizing existing product formulas, negotiating raw material efficiencies, and evaluating functional ingredient substitutes without compromising product efficacy or taste. Establish precise target cost-per-serving calculations for all new product concepts prior to commercial launch. Regulatory Compliance & Technical Sourcing:Partner closely with Regulatory, QC, Production, and Marketing teams to ensure full compliance with BPOM, Halal, GMP, and HACCP standards. Evaluate, audit, and approve new raw materials, active ingredients, and supplier documentations. Ensure all R&D dossiers, trial reports, product specifications, and SOPs are audit-ready. Team Building & Talent Development:Manage, mentor, and structure the R&D team (Supervisors and Staff), establishing clear sub-functional responsibilities, KPIs, and career growth pathways. Foster an agile, accountable, and innovation-driven laboratory culture. Candidate Requirements:Minimum Bachelor's Degree (S1) or Master's Degree (S2) in Food Technology, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.Minimum 5+ years of proven R&D experience within the dietary supplement, sports nutrition, nutraceutical, or functional food industry. 2–3 years of managerial experience in R&D, managing sub-functional R&D teams and multi-product pipelines. Strong understanding of BPOM regulations, Halal certification workflows, GMP/HACCP guidelines, and raw material supplier networks.Must be an active gym-goer or regular fitness enthusiast who personally understands workout routines, training intensity, and athletic goals.Consumes sports nutrition products regularly (e.g., whey isolate, creatine, EAAs/BCAAs, pre-workouts) and lives the lifestyle of the end-consumer.Deep familiarity with local and international supplement brands, active ingredient profiles, macros, and cost-per-serving dynamics for ongoing market research and product benchmarking.Active, floor-level investigator who directly conducts lab trials, troubleshoots sensory/solubility issues, and resolves formulation challenges rather than delegating technical execution to staff.Professional fluency in English for technical documentation and vendor negotiations.