SEA R&D Lead (F&B)

A leading organisation is seeking a Southeast Asia Food and Beverage Research and Development Lead Chemist to join their Pathumthani-based team. This senior technical position offers you the opportunity to drive innovation, shape advanced chemical formulations, and play a pivotal role in delivering solutions that align with business strategy.

What you'll do:

As the Southeast Asia Food and Beverage Research and Development Lead Chemist, you will be responsible for driving innovation across the region’s Food & Beverage division. Your day-to-day activities will involve managing multiple projects simultaneously—from ideation through commercial launch—while ensuring each initiative meets strategic business goals.

The package includes base salary + performance bonus + provident fund

• Develop and oversee the innovation pipeline for Food & Beverage products in Southeast Asia, guiding projects from initial concept through to successful commercialisation while ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
• Design and optimise chemical formulations specifically tailored for cleaning and sanitising applications within the Food & Beverage sector, adapting these formulations for sustainability, gross margin improvement, and localisation.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues related to product development and formulation chemistry by applying advanced analytical skills and collaborating with internal stakeholders.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, and Regulatory teams to support product launches, resolve technical challenges efficiently, and ensure seamless cross-functional communication.
• Lead end-to-end project execution including experimental design, data interpretation, clear reporting of results through presentations and written documentation.
• Mentor junior chemists and laboratory personnel by providing guidance on best practices, fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement, empathy, and communal learning.
• Champion collaborative efforts across departments to ensure all technical solutions are aligned with business strategy while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.
• Utilise digital tools and automation technologies to enhance formulation processes and streamline project management activities.
• Conduct field trials for new products to validate performance in real-world settings while gathering feedback for further optimisation.
• Promote knowledge sharing within the team by organising training sessions that encourage professional development and inter-personal connection.

What you bring:

To excel as the Southeast Asia Food and Beverage Research and Development Lead Chemist you should bring substantial hands-on experience in formulation chemistry gained within the Food & Beverage sector. Your academic background—whether B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.—will be complemented by practical expertise managing innovation pipelines from concept through commercialisation. You’ll have delivered new products successfully into commercial environments by designing formulations that meet sustainability targets or local market demands. Your familiarity with field trials ensures you can validate product performance effectively while surfactant chemistry knowledge supports robust application development. Automation technologies or digital tools are part of your toolkit for streamlining processes. Exceptional communication skills allow you to engage stakeholders across departments while mentoring abilities help nurture junior talent within a safe environment focused on continuous improvement. Your commitment to knowledge sharing fosters professional growth throughout the team.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with at least 6 years’ experience in Food & Beverage formulation chemistry
• Proven track record of managing innovation pipelines from concept through commercialisation within a commercial environment.
• Extensive experience designing chemical formulations for cleaning or sanitising applications tailored to sustainability goals or local market needs.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues using advanced problem-solving techniques while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Familiarity with field trial methodologies for validating new products in real-world settings as well as surfactant chemistry relevant to Food & Beverage applications.
• Experience utilising automation technologies or digital tools to streamline formulation processes or project management activities.
• Excellent communication skills enabling clear stakeholder engagement across Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Regulatory teams as well as laboratory personnel.
• Strong mentoring abilities demonstrated by supporting junior chemists or lab staff within a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Commitment to knowledge sharing through training sessions or collaborative workshops that promote professional development among team members.
• Ability to interpret experimental data accurately while preparing comprehensive reports or presentations for internal stakeholders.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as a leader in Southeast Asia’s Food & Beverage sector due to its unwavering commitment to innovation supported by a knowledgeable network of professionals who value collaboration above all else. Employees benefit from flexible working opportunities designed around personal needs as well as generous training programmes that encourage ongoing professional development. Supportive leadership ensures every team member feels valued while communal achievement is celebrated at every stage of product development. The company’s inclusive environment promotes empathy among colleagues—making it an ideal place for those who thrive on inter-personal connection—and provides access to cutting-edge resources such as automation technologies or digital tools that empower employees to deliver impactful solutions. Safety is prioritised throughout laboratory operations while continuous improvement is embedded into daily routines so everyone can contribute meaningfully toward shared goals. If you’re looking for an organisation where your expertise is respected—where growth leadership guides your career trajectory—and where dependability forms the foundation of every relationship then this is the perfect place for you.

What's next:

If you are ready to share your expertise in formulation chemistry within an inclusive environment that values collaboration and professional growth then this opportunity awaits you!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Due to the high volume of applications, our team will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Robert Walters Recruitment (Thailand) Limited
Recruitment License No.: น. 1188 / 2551