Global Head of Research and Development at Westfalia Fruit United Kingdom

Tonbridge and Malling, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

09 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

11 Mar, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Research And Development, Product Development, Innovation Strategy, Portfolio Management, Stage-Gate Process, NPD Governance, Supply Chain Collaboration, Operations Alignment, Project Governance, Stakeholder Management, Cross-functional Leadership, Commercial Alignment, Speed-to-Market, Food Technology, International Markets, Team Leadership

Industry

Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Description

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑 Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa. We’re looking for a Global Head of Research & Development to join our Senior Leadership team in Westfalia International. Westfalia Fruit is seeking a Global Head of Research & Development to lead and evolve the organisation’s global innovation and product development agenda within the convenience category. The role will provide end-to-end ownership of the global R&D and New Product Development (NPD) portfolio, ensuring innovation is aligned with commercial priorities, margin growth and long-term strategic objectives. The Global Head of R&D will establish a unified innovation framework, standardising development processes and strengthening collaboration between Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations and regional R&D teams. Working closely with executive leadership, the role will drive both short-term product improvements and longer-term innovation across Westfalia’s portfolio, including guacamole, avocado products, mango products, frozen fruit, oils and dried fruit ranges. The successful candidate will lead regional R&D specialists, oversee project governance and timelines, and accelerate speed-to-market, ensuring innovation projects are delivered efficiently and translate into sustainable commercial growth. Responsibilities include: Define and deliver Westfalia’s global convenience R&D and innovation strategy aligned to commercial growth and margin objectives. Establish a standardised global innovation governance framework to remove fragmentation and duplication across regions. Lead the long-term innovation roadmap, balancing disruptive innovation with short-term product improvements and line extensions. Drive innovation across Westfalia’s key categories including avocado products, guacamole, mango, frozen fruit, oils and dried fruit. Own the global end-to-end NPD portfolio, overseeing development from concept through to commercial launch. Implement and manage a robust stage-gate development process to ensure quality, accountability and consistency. Prioritise development initiatives based on commercial value, customer demand and operational feasibility. Ensure innovation projects are delivered on time, on budget and ready for successful market launch. Partner closely with Commercial, Sales, Supply Chain and Operations to align innovation with market and customer needs. Collaborate with internal and external production facilities to optimise manufacturing efficiency and product scalability. Engage key customers and retail partners to identify trends and translate insights into commercially viable products. Lead and develop regional R&D teams while overseeing project governance, timelines and delivery across the innovation portfolio. Essential Experience, Qualifications & Skills Degree (or equivalent qualification) in Food Technology, Food Science or a related discipline. Extensive experience leading R&D and product development functions within the food industry. Demonstrated experience delivering new product development within fresh, chilled or frozen food categories. Strong expertise implementing stage-gate innovation processes and NPD governance frameworks. Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional innovation programmes across international markets. Strong project and portfolio management capability with experience overseeing multiple product development initiatives simultaneously. Experience working closely with commercial teams, customers and production environments to bring products to market. Leadership experience managing international R&D teams and external development partners. Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and customer partners. Desirable Experience, Qualifications & Skills Experience working with fresh produce or HPP (high pressure pasteurizing) processes. Experience in frozen fruit, IQF technologies or dried fruit product development. Exposure to brand management, portfolio strategy or marketing collaboration. Experience working with retail or foodservice customers in international markets. Experience leading innovation strategy within global FMCG or food manufacturing organisations Additional languages including Spanish, French or German would be beneficial. We value your efforts, and we show it not only with words but also with actions. You receive an attractive salary, tailored to your education and experience. You work full-time with flexible hours. The extensive package of extra-legal benefits includes many vacation days, hospitalization and group insurance, a mobile phone, meal vouchers, and eco vouchers. You get a versatile job with impact, a lot of independence, and growth opportunities. You can take home dips, avocado bowls, and many other avocado treats. Even outside the workplace, the guacsquad is a close-knit and fun group. From the annual team building to jogging in the forests of Wingene, playing padel, or the legendary football tournaments. And of course, the fun lunch breaks.

Responsibilities

This role is responsible for defining and delivering the global convenience Research and Development and innovation strategy, establishing a standardized global innovation governance framework, and leading the long-term innovation roadmap across key product categories. The Head of R&D will own the end-to-end New Product Development portfolio, overseeing development from concept through commercial launch and ensuring projects are delivered efficiently.