Manager-Research & Development

Company Description

The Minor Food is one of Asia's largest casual dining and quick-service restaurant companies. We are aggressively accelerating the business growth in both domestic and global market. 

Our number of restaurants exceeding 1,600 in 21 countries under The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Basil Thai Kitchen, The Coffee Club, Ribs and Rumps, Riverside, Penang Street, and Poulet. We are a diverse group of down-to-earth, straightforward and very result-oriented people with a vision. 

To be a Global Operator of Multiple Food Brands with the Objective of Providing 100% Satisfaction to All Stakeholders. We also share an inspiring organization culture. 

Driving to Unlock the Impossibilities. This culture is the foundation in everything we do here.

If you are a highly motivated, extremely organized business executive with a successful track record in driving sales, and are looking for an opportunity to play a key role for an exciting company that will reward you for your dedication, then Minor Food is right for you

Job Description

1. Job Purpose:

The R&D Manager is responsible for leading the commercialization of new products for The Pizza Company Thailand. This role ensures all products meet operational standards and align with strategic business objectives. Key responsibilities include overseeing product development, establishing operational procedures, ensuring compliance with ingredient specifications, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring products from concept to market with excellence in quality, speed, and cost efficiency. Additionally, the R&D Manager will support Minor Food's strategic pillars, including digital transformation, customer experience enhancement, and sustainability initiatives

2. Main Responsibilities: 

1. Commercialization of New Products:
   • Finalize new product development (NPD) through standardized operations procedures, product specifications, and quality benchmarks.
   • Oversee the development of product appearance, required equipment settings, small wares, and ingredient specifications to achieve seamless operations.
   • Ensure new products align with Minor Food's customer-first approach and brand positioning.
2. Product Testing & Quality Assurance:
   • Lead new product testing to ensure food quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
   • Collaborate with Operations to optimize cooking procedures and improve service speed.
   • Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and standards.
3. Technology & Innovation:
   • Identify and implement cutting-edge food technologies to enhance product consistency and simplify operations.
   • Foster relationships with suppliers to gain insights into new innovations and drive knowledge transfer.
   • Leverage digital tools such as AI-based analytics for market intelligence and customer insights.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   • Coordinate with Purchasing, R&M, and Training departments to ensure a successful product launch, from sourcing ingredients to staff training.
   • Work closely with the Marketing and CRM teams to analyze consumer data trends and tailor product development accordingly.
   • Collaborate with Finance to manage costs efficiently and ensure profitability.
5. Financial Responsibility:
   • Provide cost estimates (COG) for new products and ensure profitability without compromising quality.
   • Identify opportunities for cost reduction through ingredient optimization.
6. Market Research & Competitive Analysis:
   • Monitor market trends, consumer insights, and competitor activities to identify potential opportunities and threats.
   • Maintain an updated product idea library with visual references, draft procedures, and ingredient specifications.
   • Stay informed about sustainability practices in product sourcing and packaging.
7. Documentation & Compliance:
   • Ensure recipes, specifications, and related documentation are accurately maintained in the company's systems (e.g., Menu Link).
   • Adhere to food safety, regulatory standards, and company policies.
8. Strategic Leadership:
   • Drive innovation by aligning product development strategies with The Pizza Company’s long-term growth plans.
   • Mentor and develop the R&D team to foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
   • Support Minor Food's sustainability goals by incorporating eco-friendly and health-conscious product options.
9. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Present new product concepts and commercialization updates to leadership teams, franchisees, and other key stakeholders.
   • Represent The Pizza Company at industry events to stay ahead of evolving food trends.
10. Other Responsibilities:
    • Ensure adherence to company policies and values in daily operations.
    • Perform additional duties as assigned by the R&D Director.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Technology, Food Science, Biotechnology, Agro-Industry, Culinary Arts, or related fields.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in food product development, hotel F&B, retail, marketing, or food service operations.
• Proven track record in managing NPD commercialization processes.
• Strong knowledge of food sensory analysis, cookery skills, and mass production scalability.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High proficiency in English and computer literacy.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Adaptability and forward-thinking mindset.

Additional Information

We are a diverse group of down-to-earth, straightforward and very result-oriented people with a vision. To be a Global Operator of Multiple Food Brands with the objective of providing 100% Satisfaction to all stakeholders.

We also share an inspiring organization culture: Driving to Unlock the Impossibilities. This culture is the foundation in everything we do here. If you are a highly motivated, extremely organized business executive with a successful track record in driving sales, and are looking for an opportunity to play a key role for an exciting company that will reward you for your dedication, then Minor Food is right for you