Senior Manager Research & Development

About This Role

Get to know us

At Shan Foods, we get it - food isn’t just fuel, it’s connection, culture, and convenience. As a global food brand, we’re bringing real flavor to kitchens worldwide and making meals simpler, tastier, and more fun. We’re more than just spices - we’re a team of creators, learners, and doers. At Shan, you’ll grow, evolve and help shape what the future of food looks & tastes like.

Shan Foods is a global equal opportunity employer, offering top of the line compensation & benefits, an inclusive working environment and avenues for growth. We believe in growing together and constantly learning from everyone around us. Our people are not only driving the business, they are all contributing towards the growth of the food industry worldwide.

Let's give you a quick sneak peek into the life of a Senior Manager Research & Development

As a Senior Manager Research & Development, you will work in a dynamic and innovation-driven role where science meets strategy. You’ll be at the forefront of developing new products, enhancing formulations, and delivering customized food solutions while driving continuous improvement and supporting business growth across global markets.

Location

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Things you will be doing as a Senior Manager Research & Development

• Lead new product development (NPD) initiatives for meat and poultry based functional ingredients, including seasonings, coatings, and marinades
• Develop and optimize product formulations to enhance taste, texture, nutrition, and shelf life
• Conduct sensory evaluations and ingredient functionality studies to support product excellence
• Collaborate with Sales and commercial teams to understand customer requirements and deliver tailored solutions
• Act as a technical expert and key point of contact for international (primarily German market) and regional clients
• Drive process optimization initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness in production
• Identify and implement innovative ingredients, technologies, and sustainable practices
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate new technologies into manufacturing processes
• Ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, and labeling standards (e.g., HACCP, GMP)
• Partner with Quality teams to maintain high product and process standards
• Analyze market trends and consumer insights to guide product development strategies
• Lead consumer testing and sensory programs to validate product performance
• Mentor and develop the R&D team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with suppliers and external research partners to explore advanced food technologies
• Align R&D initiatives with business goals and commercial strategies

What are we looking for in you?

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field
• Minimum 7+ years of R&D experience within the meat or food industry
• Strong expertise in meat flavors, seasonings, coatings, functional ingredients, marinades, ingredient functionality, and formulation development
• Proven experience in leading end-to-end product development projects (concept to commercialization)
• Knowledge of food safety and regulatory standards (HACCP, GMP, FDA/USDA preferred)
• Experience working with international markets, preferably European/German clients
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities