R&D Process Innovation Manager – Broth Platform
Lead broth tech transformation at a global food company: turn ideas into scalable, compliant processes; drive cross-functional innovation, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
Actual Talent is the talent acquisition consultancy that offers Executive Search, RPO and Talent Solutions.
About the client:
Our client is a global food company based in Barcelona, Spain, operates in over 50 countries across Europe and Africa, offering more than 30 local brands.
Job description:
Leads the Technology Transformation of the Broth platform by driving breakthrough and optimized processing technologies and developing novel product concepts beyond the standard production portfolio. The role identifies relevant market and technology innovations, translates internal and external opportunities into scalable solutions, and ensures alignment with the strategic plan. Acts as a strong cross-functional partner to accelerate execution, de-risk innovation, and strengthen the company’s long-term innovation capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:
Drive broth-related technology transformation projects across the Broth platform, from early concept and feasibility through industrialization, ensuring alignment with category and platform strategies.
Scan global broth, extraction, processing, and formulation technologies to identify innovative, consumer-relevant solutions that enhance taste, nutrition, sustainability, cost efficiency, and competitiveness.
Translate business, nutritional, and regulatory requirements into clear technical concepts, process specifications, and development pathways, ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
Lead cross-functional collaboration with Quality, Regulatory, Nutrition, Marketing, Operations, and external technology partners to ensure robust project execution and on-time delivery.
Develop, pilot, and validate new or optimized broth processes and product concepts, coordinating lab, pilot, and industrial trials to ensure performance, scalability, and cost effectiveness.
Manage external technology partners and suppliers, including technical qualification, documentation, trials, and knowledge transfer into the organization.
Ensure sustainability and naturality alignment by integrating clean-label principles, resource efficiency, waste reduction, and energy-optimized processes consistent with corporate sustainability ambitions.
Build and maintain broth technology knowledge bases and roadmaps, supporting standardization, capability building, and cross-regional knowledge sharing.
Identify and implement cost and complexity optimization opportunities through process innovation, yield improvement, formulation simplification, and technology leverage.
Act as the technical reference for Broth within the Technology Transformation Team, supporting capability development, best-practice deployment, and long-term platform competitiveness.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field
4–5 years of relevant professional experience in a technical or cross-functional environment
Strong project management skills, with experience coordinating multiple stakeholders (PMP mindset is a plus)
Ability to act as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams, translating complex concepts into clear and actionable insights
Experience working in cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and delivery of project objectives
Proficiency in SAP and advanced Excel
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a structured and solution-oriented approach
Fluent in English (C1 level required); Spanish is a plus
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining quality and timelines
- Locations
- Barcelona
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Employment type
- Full-time