R&D Category Leader - Intersnack

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 7 May 2026
LOCATION
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
CATEGORY
Science & Research
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Food Science Product Development R&D Innovation Business Partnering Stakeholder Management Team Leadership Commercial Strategy Value Engineering

FULL DESCRIPTION

R&D Category Leader - [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is a leading European producer of savoury snacks, creating memorable snacking experiences for millions of consumers. As a privately held business, we take a long-term view — balancing growth, innovation and sustainability.

In 2024, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] achieved a turnover of more than €4.5 billion. We operate in over 30 countries, with 45 manufacturing sites, 12 regional management units and around 15,000 colleagues worldwide.

This is a senior, high-impact role at the heart of the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] R&D organisation. As R&D Category Leader, you will own the product innovation strategy for your category and co-create the long-term innovation roadmap in partnership with the European Category Marketing Lead.

You will shape how our products evolve over the next three years — from breakthrough innovation to quality improvements, Better‑for‑You (BFY) transformation and productivity opportunities.

What’s in it for you? Competitive annual salary, £9,000 car cash allowance, annual bonus scheme, comprehensive healthcare support, KP Pension Plan, 25 days holiday, and more.

What you will be doing

  • Owning the R&D category innovation strategy, building and delivering a sustainable three‑year product innovation pipeline aligned to Group priorities
  • Leading end‑to‑end product development, from consumer insight and opportunity identification through to feasibility, specification, launch and in‑market performance
  • Driving quality and continuous improvement
  • Embedding Better‑for‑You and sustainability goals
  • Providing strong technical leadership and governance

Job requirements

  • Deep technical expertise in food science and product development, gained within a branded FMCG food environment
  • Proven experience leading complex R&D innovation projects, ideally across multiple countries and cultures
  • Strong business partnering skills
  • A track record of building and leading high‑performing teams
  • Commercial and strategic thinking
  • Degree‑qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
  • Fluent English, written and spoken
  • Willingness to travel and work in an international environment

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is committed to inclusion. We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs.

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