Regional R&D Head AMEA

Opella, a global leader in OTC and Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements with a mission to empower self-care for over 500 million consumers worldwide, is seeking a Regional R&D Head for the AMEA region based primarily in Singapore, with possible locations in Shanghai, China or Mumbai, India.

The role entails leading the regional R&D team, particularly R&D brand leads responsible for advancing the brand innovation pipeline and enhancing scientific relevance in product development. The successful candidate will serve as a key business partner to Brand and Innovation leaders, translating scientific advances into strategic, brand-led approaches that fuel enterprise growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of the R&D innovation pipeline for regional and local brands, ensuring achievement of sales targets aligned with strategic growth plans.
• Manage a balanced portfolio addressing short, medium, and long-term projects encompassing claims, new product development, clinical studies, packaging innovations, and sustainability initiatives.
• Drive impactful innovation projects, emphasizing consumer insights and partnership with Brand & Innovation leads.
• Collaborate closely with local science, regulatory, and medical teams to guarantee robust scientific formulation and regulatory approvals.
• Develop and maintain a robust patent portfolio for regional brands based on distinctive scientific advancements.
• Partner with Integrated Project Management to ensure timely and complete project execution.
• Identify future R&D capability needs and propose development plans to leadership.
• Champion innovative, consumer-focused, science-driven R&D practices aligned with global health trends and regulatory requirements.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration to deliver the innovation roadmap.
• Prioritize protection projects for existing global brands based on risk assessments.
• Coordinate with global R&D, packaging teams, and development centers to align plans with internal capabilities and external technologies.
• Leverage external technology networks to accelerate distinct innovation opportunities.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

• Minimum 15 years in R&D, scientific innovation, pharmaceutical, FMCG, consumer healthcare, or nutrition sectors.
• Experience spanning cross-category innovation including health foods, personal care products, OTC, and new product development is advantageous.
• Proven leadership in R&D with a record of delivering innovations to market.
• Skilled in developing comprehensive regional innovation programs including planning and budgeting.
• Expertise in forming and utilizing external partnerships with suppliers and key opinion leaders to drive R&D innovation.
• Strong influence capabilities with senior stakeholders and leadership on industry trends affecting local brands.
• Experience managing end-to-end innovation lifecycle from ideation through launch in collaboration with project managers.
• Familiarity with broad innovation scopes such as business development, clinical-backed claims, novel ingredients, formulation technologies, and sustainability-focused solutions.
• Exceptional ability to translate consumer behavior insights into science-based product development and sustainable pipelines.
• Excellent communication and capacity to operate in complex matrix organizations.
• Fluent spoken and written English required.

Leadership Attributes and Cultural Fit

• Demonstrate a challenger mindset by pushing beyond norms to improve results and rejecting mediocrity.
• Focus rigorously on impactful priorities while eliminating non-value adding activities.
• Exhibit business acumen using financial and market data to enhance outcomes.
• Make sound decisions even with ambiguous or incomplete information.
• Treat colleagues professionally with respect and sensitivity.
• Display personal leadership traits such as accountability, integrity, and organizational commitment.
• Maintain strong motivation to achieve and continuously improve performance.
• Adapt rapidly and apply learning agility in new situations.

Why Join Opella?

At Opella, you will engage in purposeful and challenging work, supported by a passionate, creative culture dedicated to consumer brand development. The environment is collaborative and inclusive, encouraging growth and enabling every individual to perform at their best. As challengers, Opella's team values integrity, courage, simplicity, and accountability, aiming to make self-care accessible and straightforward.

Additional Information

Reporting to the Opella AMEA Science Head, the role involves close collaboration with global and regional science and innovation leaders, brand heads, and development centers to drive innovation excellence in regional healthcare products.