RD Manager East Africa

About the Role A leading multinational is seeking an R&D Manager to lead technical elements of product development across East Africa. You will oversee formulation, processing, packaging, consumer technical insights, specifications, patents, and compliance. The role requires strong leadership in managing complex projects, ensuring innovation delivery, and partnering with supply chain and business teams to bring differentiated products to market. Key Responsibilities Lead technical aspects of product development including formulation, processing, and packaging Shape and agree technical project briefs, performance standards, and timeplans Evaluate technical feasibility and ensure on-time, in-full delivery of projects Manage specifications, quality assurance regimes, and compliance with local/regional requirements Oversee risk management, claims, and intellectual property protection Build and manage relationships with suppliers and partners Coach and develop team members, fostering technical excellence Capture and transfer learnings through post-launch reviews Partner with supply chain to ensure effective deployment across markets Qualifications & Experience Science degree or equivalent In-depth expertise in formulation and processing (Dressings preferred) Proven experience as a regional technical project leader Strong track record of project delivery in R&D Experience managing regulatory, patent, and compliance requirements Skills Project management and innovation leadership Designing and deploying differentiated products on time and in full Team leadership and stakeholder management Negotiation and cross-functional collaboration Strong communication and influencing skills Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-functional teams