IFFCO UAE, one of the world’s leading FMCG companies, is hiring an Executive Innovation (JM NPD) to drive new product development from ideation to commercialization. This role is responsible for developing and improving existing products, scaling up NPD with internal and external manufacturing plants, executing research and development activities, and working closely with the Head of NPD to bring winning innovations to market.
About IFFCO — A Global FMCG Powerhouse
Company: IFFCO Group — International Food and Food-Related Consumer Goods
Headquarters: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Portfolio: Edible oils, margarines, ghee, snacks, condiments, dairy, and more
Global Footprint: Operations across 60+ countries with world-class manufacturing
Innovation Culture: Strong focus on NPD and food science to lead evolving consumer markets
Why Join IFFCO’s Innovation Team?
Career Growth: Work directly with Head NPD on high-impact product innovation projects
Global Exposure: Contribute to products distributed across 60+ countries
R&D Excellence: Access to advanced labs, manufacturing partners, and global trend data
Cross-Functional Impact: Collaborate with production, marketing, quality assurance teams
Position Overview
The Executive Innovation (JM NPD) at IFFCO UAE is a hands-on new product development role working closely alongside the Head of NPD. You will be responsible for taking new product concepts from ideation all the way through to full commercial launch — managing supplier sourcing, shelf-life studies, recipe documentation, process optimization, and cross-departmental coordination. This is a high-impact role suited for a driven food technologist eager to shape what consumers eat across global markets.
Why This Role Matters: As Executive Innovation at IFFCO, you become the engine behind new F&B products reaching millions of consumers globally. You directly influence product quality, process efficiency, and ingredient innovation — all while building a career at one of the world’s most respected FMCG groups with operations spanning 60+ countries.
Key Responsibilities
New Product Development
- Develop new and improve existing products from concept stage through to full commercial launch
- Scale up NPD products by working closely with internal and external manufacturing plants
- Conduct pre-launch storage studies and shelf-life studies for all new product lines
- Assimilate global and regional trends in F&B to generate fresh, commercially viable product concepts
Process Development & Plant Coordination
- Drive process development and optimization across manufacturing plants
- Ensure optimum and consistent manufacturing processes to deliver high-quality outputs
- Collaborate with supply chain and manufacturing teams to translate R&D into commercial production
- Support recipe optimization and value engineering initiatives
Supplier Sourcing & Ingredient Management
- Search and evaluate new suppliers for raw materials and packaging materials complementing existing product portfolio
- Develop RM and PM specifications and recommend appropriate packaging materials
- Maintain COA and specification sheets for new ingredients during initial development stages
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Liaise between production, marketing, and quality assurance departments to deliver desired products at acceptable quality standards
- Work independently or under supervision to execute all R&D activities on time
- Coordinate with Head NPD to align product development priorities with business strategy
Documentation & Reporting
- Handle documentation and online modification of recipes, routing, and formulas in ORACLE system
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all development activities, trials, and specifications
- Support KPI tracking from ideation through to full commercialization
Key Performance Indicators
- Successful new product development from ideation to commercialization within agreed timelines
- Integration of global and regional F&B trends into new product concepts
- Effective scale-up of R&D product designs into commercial production
- Consistent, optimized processes in manufacturing plants ensuring quality outputs
- Measurable improvement through recipe optimization and value engineering
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Dairy Technology, Food Technology, or a closely related food science discipline
- Additional certifications in food safety, quality, or product management are an advantage
Experience Requirements
- 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience in food and beverage manufacturing or R&D environment
- Proven track record in new product development within FMCG, food, or dairy sector
- Working knowledge of food regulations, ingredient sourcing, and manufacturing scale-up
Core Competencies
- Food Technology and Trends — strong awareness of evolving consumer preferences and global F&B innovations
- New Product Development — demonstrated ability to manage full NPD cycle from concept to launch
- Food Regulations — knowledge of applicable food safety and labelling regulations
- Analytical Ability — data-driven approach to product evaluation and process improvement
- Documentation and Reporting — accuracy and diligence in maintaining development records
- Communicating Effectively — clear communication across production, marketing, and QA teams
- Driving Results — ownership mindset with strong orientation toward measurable outcomes
- Planning and Decision Making — ability to prioritize, plan, and execute in a fast-paced environment
- Customer Centricity — consumer-first thinking in all product development decisions
- Self and Team Management — proactive, self-motivated professional who elevates team performance
About IFFCO UAE
IFFCO is one of the world’s largest privately held FMCG groups, headquartered in Sharjah, UAE. With a diverse portfolio spanning edible oils, dairy products, snacks, condiments, and more, IFFCO distributes products across 60+ countries through a powerful, integrated supply chain and distribution network. The group is renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability — making it one of the most sought-after employers in the Gulf region for food science and FMCG professionals.
Innovation at IFFCO: IFFCO’s NPD function is a critical growth engine, consistently launching products that meet evolving consumer tastes across global markets. Joining the innovation team means working at the intersection of food science, market trends, and manufacturing excellence.
Who Should Apply?
- Food Technologists: With 3–5 years F&B manufacturing experience seeking NPD leadership opportunity
- Dairy Technology Graduates: With hands-on R&D experience in product development and process optimization
- NPD Executives: From FMCG or food industry ready to step into a high-visibility innovation role
- R&D Professionals: With proven ability to scale up products from lab to commercial production
- Food Scientists: Eager to work on global product launches with one of the world’s leading FMCG groups
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