A growing food manufacturing business in Dubai is seeking a talented and innovation-driven Research & Development Executive to lead new product development, food formulation, and private label growth across a diverse product portfolio. In this exciting in-person role, you will manage the full NPD lifecycle — from consumer research and concept ideation through to prototyping, trials, and commercial launch — while reformulating existing products, monitoring market trends, and collaborating cross-functionally with quality, regulatory, procurement, and production teams to ensure seamless product development and scale-up in Dubai’s fast-moving FMCG environment.
About the Company — Food Manufacturing FMCG Dubai
Sector: Food manufacturing and FMCG product development with an active and growing NPD portfolio
Focus: New Product Development, private label customisation, and clean-label ingredient innovation
Operations: Integrated in-person R&D environment spanning formulation, prototyping, trials, and commercial scale-up
Standards: Full compliance with regulatory, food safety, and ingredient quality requirements across all product lines
Growth Stage: Actively expanding the third-party private label business through customised client-driven product development
Why This R&D Executive Role in Dubai Stands Out
Full NPD Ownership: Lead the complete new product development lifecycle — concept, formulation, trials, and commercial launch
Private Label Growth: Drive third-party private label business development through innovative, client-aligned product customisation
Innovation Scope: Reformulate existing products with clean-label solutions, ingredient optimisation, and regulatory compliance
Career Growth: High-impact, cross-functional role in a Dubai food manufacturing business investing in R&D and portfolio expansion
Position Overview
This Research & Development Executive role in Dubai is a genuinely hands-on innovation position for a food science professional who thrives in a fast-paced, commercially driven R&D environment. You will conduct market, technical, and consumer research to identify product opportunities, lead the full NPD lifecycle from ideation to launch, and build a diverse product portfolio that drives business growth. A significant part of the role focuses on growing the third-party private label business through tailored product development — while also reformulating existing products to meet evolving regulatory requirements and implement clean-label solutions. Your ability to manage multiple R&D projects simultaneously, collaborate cross-functionally, and deliver innovation within defined timelines and budgets will define your success in this role.
Why This Role Matters: As R&D Executive at this Dubai food manufacturing company, your formulations end up in consumers’ hands across the UAE and beyond. Every new product you launch, every clean-label reformulation you implement, and every private label solution you deliver for a client directly contributes to the company’s growth, reputation, and market competitiveness. This is an R&D career where your scientific creativity, commercial thinking, and project management skills genuinely shape what people eat — and how a business grows.
Key Responsibilities
Market Research & Innovation Identification
- Conduct structured market, technical, and consumer research to identify new product opportunities, emerging processes, and innovative technologies that support business growth.
- Monitor industry trends, emerging food technologies, and competitor product launches continuously to ensure the company’s NPD pipeline remains competitive and forward-looking.
- Analyse consumer insights, market data, and trade intelligence to identify unmet needs and commercial white spaces for new product development.
- Translate market research findings into concrete, actionable NPD concepts that align with the company’s strategic growth priorities and portfolio direction.
New Product Development Leadership
- Lead and manage the complete New Product Development lifecycle — from initial concept ideation and food formulation through to prototyping, sensory testing, and full commercial launch.
- Develop and optimise a diverse NPD portfolio across multiple food categories, ensuring each product meets quality, taste, functionality, and cost-of-goods targets.
- Plan, execute, and manage multiple R&D projects simultaneously within clearly defined timelines, budgets, and quality standards — without compromising on innovation or output quality.
- Document all formulations, trial results, process specifications, and product data accurately to build a robust R&D knowledge base and ensure full traceability throughout development.
Private Label Development & Client Solutions
- Drive the growth of the company’s third-party private label business through customised product development that is fully aligned with individual client requirements and market demand.
- Develop bespoke food product formulations for private label customers — managing briefs, timelines, sensory approvals, and technical documentation from brief to delivery.
- Build strong technical relationships with private label clients through professional communication, responsive brief management, and consistently delivered product quality.
- Identify new private label development opportunities and work with commercial teams to convert client requirements into commercially viable, differentiated product solutions.
Product Reformulation & Clean-Label Solutions
- Reformulate existing food products to comply with updated regulatory requirements, ingredient restrictions, and evolving clean-label consumer expectations.
- Implement clean-label ingredient solutions that simplify product declarations while maintaining full product stability, sensory quality, and production line compatibility.
- Ensure all reformulated products maintain their original taste, texture, shelf life, and performance characteristics throughout the transition to new ingredient solutions.
- Conduct stability testing, shelf-life studies, and sensory evaluations on reformulated products to validate performance prior to commercial rollout and market relaunch.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Scale-Up
- Collaborate closely and effectively with Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Production teams to ensure seamless product development, approval, and commercial scale-up.
- Work with procurement to source innovative, cost-effective ingredients that meet technical specifications, regulatory requirements, and clean-label standards.
- Support production teams during new product trial runs, scale-up activities, and first commercial manufacturing batches — resolving any formulation or process issues swiftly.
- Ensure all new and reformulated products receive full regulatory clearance and quality sign-off before commercial launch in the UAE and target export markets.
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline — a firm requirement for this position.
- Postgraduate qualification or specialist training in food formulation, regulatory affairs, or NPD project management is a welcomed competitive advantage.
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on Food and Beverage manufacturing experience in an R&D, product development, or food science role — this is the preferred and expected experience level.
- Proven experience managing the full NPD lifecycle from ideation through to commercial launch within a food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
- Demonstrated experience in private label product development and customer-driven product customisation for retail or foodservice clients.
Essential Skills
- Strong and demonstrable understanding of food formulations, ingredient functionality, and the regulatory requirements applicable to food products in the UAE and regional markets.
- Excellent project management skills — able to plan, prioritise, and deliver multiple concurrent R&D projects within defined timelines, budgets, and quality parameters.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability — able to interpret research data, sensory results, and regulatory guidance to make informed formulation and development decisions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills — able to brief stakeholders clearly, present technical findings professionally, and collaborate effectively across all business functions.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment — managing complexity, adapting to changing priorities, and delivering consistent R&D output under pressure.
About the Employer
This is a growing food manufacturing company based in Dubai with an active and ambitious NPD agenda, a developing private label business, and a clear commitment to food innovation, product quality, and regulatory excellence. Operating in one of the world’s most dynamic F&B markets, the company is investing in its R&D function as a core driver of growth — building a product portfolio that combines consumer insight, ingredient innovation, and commercial competitiveness. If you are a food science professional ready to take full NPD ownership, grow a private label business, and make a real mark in Dubai’s FMCG sector, this role is waiting for you.
Work Location: In-person — Dubai, UAE. Candidates must be based in Dubai or able to commute to the job location for this role.
Who Should Apply?
- Food Science & Technology Graduates: With 3+ years of F&B manufacturing R&D experience and a strong portfolio of NPD projects from concept through to commercial launch in the UAE or GCC markets.
- Product Development Executives: From food manufacturing, FMCG, or private label backgrounds who are skilled in formulation, clean-label development, and multi-project management in Dubai.
- Food Formulation Specialists: With deep knowledge of ingredient functionality, regulatory compliance, and stability testing who want to lead innovation in a growing Dubai food business.
- Private Label R&D Professionals: Experienced in managing client-specific product development briefs from brief to delivery — skilled at translating commercial requirements into technically validated food products.
- FMCG R&D Managers & Executives: Seeking a high-impact, in-person role in Dubai where their food science expertise and innovation drive can directly shape a growing company’s NPD portfolio and private label success.
Recently opened JOBS 👇
Quality Assurance Inspector Jobs Abu Dhabi UAE 2026
Restaurant Manager Jobs UAE 2026
Restaurant Supervisor Jobs Dubai UAE 2026
Quality Control Manager Jobs Ras Al Khaimah UAE 2026
Research Assistant Jobs Abu Dhabi UAE 2026
