Product Development Manager / Senior Food Technologist
We are seeking an experienced Product Development Manager / Senior Food Technologist to lead technical product development across a diverse salty snacks portfolio, including chips, extruded snacks, and baked products. This role demands deep expertise in food science, process optimization, and new product innovation within the snack food manufacturing sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end product development lifecycle from concept ideation to commercial launch for salty snack categories.
- Manage formulation development for chips, extruded snacks, baked products, and other savory snack applications.
- Optimize existing product formulations to improve quality, cost efficiency, nutritional profile, and shelf-life stability.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, quality assurance, production, procurement, and marketing teams.
- Conduct pilot plant trials and scale-up activities ensuring seamless transition to full-scale manufacturing.
- Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (HACCP, ISO 22000, FDA, GCC standards) and internal quality standards.
- Drive ingredient evaluation, vendor qualification, and raw material specification development.
- Monitor industry trends, competitor products, and emerging technologies in snack processing (extrusion, frying, baking, seasoning).
- Manage sensory evaluation panels and consumer testing to validate product acceptance.
- Prepare technical documentation, product specifications, and regulatory submissions.
- Mentor junior food technologists and technicians, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or related discipline.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience in product development within the snack food, savory snacks, or extruded/baked goods industry.
- Proven track record of successful new product launches from concept to market.
- In-depth knowledge of extrusion technology, frying operations, baking processes, seasoning application, and packaging systems.
- Strong understanding of ingredient functionality (starches, proteins, fibers, hydrocolloids, flavors, seasonings).
- Expertise in food safety management systems (HACCP, FSSC 22000) and quality control methodologies.
- Proficiency in statistical process control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), and sensory analysis techniques.
- Experience with ERP/PLM systems for formulation management and project tracking.
Core Competencies & Skills
- Technical: Food formulation, process engineering, extrusion technology, thermal processing, shelf-life extension, clean label development, cost reduction.
- Analytical: Data-driven decision making, root cause analysis, problem solving, sensory science, instrumental texture analysis.
- Leadership: Project management, cross-functional team leadership, stakeholder management, vendor negotiation, change management.
- Regulatory: GCC/GSO standards, FDA labeling, allergen management, nutritional labeling, claim substantiation.
- Soft Skills: Strategic thinking, innovation mindset, communication, adaptability, results orientation.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in Food Science or related field.
- Certifications: Certified Food Scientist (CFS), HACCP Lead Auditor, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
- Experience with plant-based snack innovation, gluten-free, reduced-sodium, or better-for-you formulations.
- Familiarity with Kuwait/GCC market consumer preferences and regulatory landscape.
- Multilingual: English fluency required; Arabic proficiency advantageous.
Work Environment
Based in Kuwait (Al Asimah Governorate), this role operates within a dynamic food manufacturing facility with state-of-the-art pilot plant and production capabilities. The position offers the opportunity to shape a leading snack portfolio in the GCC region.