Product Development Manager, Cocoa Ingredients

About the role

The company is looking for an innovative, commercially driven Product Development Manager to lead the development and commercialization of new cocoa ingredient solutions for the deZaan brand. The role uses the Ingredient Excellence Centre (IEC) laboratory in Singapore as a hub for innovation, customer collaboration and product development, turning customer insights and market opportunities into commercially successful products. It works closely with Commercial, Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain teams.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end B2B new product development, from concept, formulation and prototyping through scale-up and commercial launch for cocoa products.
• Identify market trends, customer needs and business opportunities to develop new cocoa-based solutions.
• Manage and grow an innovation pipeline, prioritising projects by customer value, commercial potential and technical feasibility.
• Oversee IEC lab activities, including product trials, prototype development, documentation and compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Act as the key technical partner to customers and internal stakeholders, translating their requirements into product solutions.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Quality and Supply Chain teams to deliver product launches.
• Facilitate customer innovation sessions and workshops using Design Thinking principles.
• Develop prototypes and product applications, refine them with customer feedback and manage scale-up and launch readiness.
• Provide technical expertise and product knowledge to support customer engagement and business growth.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Relevant experience in product development, food innovation, applications or R&D, preferably in a cocoa manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience moving products from laboratory or prototype stage through scale-up and commercial launch.
• Experience engaging directly with customers to develop technical or product solutions is highly advantageous.
• Experience facilitating innovation, ideation or product development workshops is beneficial.
• Experience working across Commercial, Marketing and Operations in a matrix environment.

Required skills

• Practical understanding of structured innovation processes, including Design to Value.
• Strong understanding of food quality, food safety and product development requirements.