Head of Research and Development

Role overview

This senior leadership position is responsible for steering the research and development agenda in partnership with the Category leadership team. The role connects scientific rigour, innovation and technical strength with business priorities, customer expectations and the organisation’s long-term strategy. It also serves as a trusted advisor to the Category, turning market ambition into practical R&D programmes that create value.

What you will do

• Build, guide and motivate a strong multidisciplinary R&D team.
• Help shape organisation-wide R&D strategy, capability growth and leadership direction.
• Support talent growth, succession planning, employee engagement and performance oversight.
• Manage the R&D portfolio, including resourcing, pipeline performance, risk oversight and delivery of innovation.
• Provide technical direction across R&D with a focus on scientific quality, governance, standards and compliance.
• Inform major investment choices by weighing technical feasibility, manufacturing strength, regulatory needs, market potential and financial return.
• Develop future innovation capabilities by tracking emerging trends in food science, processing technology and nutrition.
• Act as a representative for the business with customers, partners, industry bodies and the wider innovation network.

Requirements

• A master’s degree or PhD in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemistry, or a closely related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary R&D teams across several technical areas.
• Substantial senior leadership experience with clear impact on strategy, culture and capability development.
• Background in creating innovation strategies that support business growth and portfolio goals.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to connect R&D spend and technical choices to customer value, market opportunity and financial outcomes.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and serving as a trusted strategic partner.
• Proven record of delivering innovation through both internal teams and external collaborations.
• Comfort making high-stakes decisions in complex and uncertain situations.
• Executive-level presence and the ability to engage confidently with senior leaders, customers and external partners.
• Active participation in industry, scientific or innovation communities.

Additional information

This role is based in County Kilkenny, Ireland and is offered on a full-time, onsite basis.