R&D Technical Country Lead

Job description:About this role:This role is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and creative R&I professional to lead the development and execution of all technical projects within Egypt for LIPTON Teas and Infusions.You will be responsible for delivering projects that meet the consumer needs, business objectives, and sustainability goals of our iconic brand. You will collaborate with internal and external partners across different functions and geographies, applying your expertise in tea science and technology, product design, and consumer insights. You will also contribute to building the R&I capability and culture within the organization, as well as fostering a network of external innovation partners. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding role that combines your passion for tea, innovation, and sustainability with individual growth then this is the role for you. Scope:Leads project technical elements (e.g. – formulation, processing, consumer technical insights, specifications, claims, quality, safety)Leads the technical timeline of projects from Idea to Market Ready and oversees deployment within Egypt business.Passionately, spends time and effort understanding Egypt market dynamics and consumer trends and reflects them into global programme teams to leverage best fit  solution for Egypt business.Co-ordinates inputs from many different R&D specialties (Formulation, Process, Packaging, Consumer Technical Insight, regulatory Specifications etc & sometimes Supply Chain)Supports the R&I agenda in areas of building expertise and in-market quality delivery. Main responsibilitiesWork closely with AMET R&I hub in Dubai and Global VCP hub in Amsterdam to leverage global capabilities for driving Egypt business growth agendas.Work closely with marketing, factory, Egypt LT and consumers to generate insights which are translated into R&I programme Liaising with multidisciplinary team to deliver agreed work plans in the lab and in factories for all new innovations, renovations.Early evaluation of technical feasibility of projects end-to-end (link with business case and technical capability of factory)Responsible for the technical output OTIF of projects across agreed regions.Develop R&I artwork forms for innovations and renovations in region of scope.Approve artworks on artwork system with R&I and regulatory input.Develop internal and external networks and build awareness of state-of-the-art knowledge within relevant fields.Carry out work for support of product claims (KBS, Demos), risk management, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory.Responsible for risk management, claims, regulatory and legal compliance with global, regional, and local requirements.Responsible for input technical details to the innovation process system. Responsible for ensuring comprehensive technical transfer documentation is written when handing over to Sourcing Units (i.e. factories)Responsible for conducting development trials at SUs or 3P for innovation and renovation projects.Responsible for running benchmarking exercises across the region and understanding the competitor landscape.Full understanding of consumer profiles and habits and tea habits and bringing that into innovation and renovation projectsLead resolution of any quality issues that are linked to technical aspects Key skills:A graduate in food science, chemistry, biology, or related scienceBasic formulation knowledge of food/ bev productsStrong analytical skills to input into the wider team objectives.A self-starter and with strong proactivity and bias for actionFlexibility, a willingness to step into new science areas as needed, and the ability to learn quickly on the job.Some evidence of ability to gather and synthesize information to scope new areas as required.Strong team alignment to deliver diverse customer project requirements and timelines.Understanding of business landscape and cultureFull mastery of English language written and spoken.Relevant experience:Functional expertise in one of the R&D functions – (normally Formulation, Processing, Packaging)Previous experience running regional/local innovation projects.