R&D Lead

Position Overview

The R&D Lead at Opella ANZ is entrusted with overseeing the full lifecycle of innovation initiatives from concept through to launch. This role focuses on local VMS brands like Cenovis and adapts global innovations such as Telfast, Buscopan, and Bisolvon to the ANZ market. Reporting to the Regional R&D Head AMEA, the incumbent leads the R&D science team within ANZ, aligning resources with prioritized innovation opportunities and collaborating closely with brand, innovation, regulatory, medical, and development teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive ideation, development, and delivery of R&D projects aligned to brand strategies to achieve innovation sales targets.
• Manage a balanced portfolio of short-, medium-, and long-term innovation projects incorporating claims, new product development, clinical research, packaging innovation, and sustainability.
• Focus on delivering impactful, fewer but larger-scale projects by partnering with Brand and Innovation teams using consumer insights.
• Customize global brand innovation efforts to localize and expedite delivery with agility.
• Collaborate closely with Integrated Product Management (IPM) to ensure projects meet time and budget expectations.
• Work alongside ANZ science teams to align regulatory and medical strategies and ensure validation.
• Engage development centers and contract manufacturing organizations early to contribute to product design, prototyping, and development.
• Ensure cross-functional teamwork to achieve successful innovation pipeline delivery.
• Identify and prioritize base business protection projects for local brands based on risk assessment.
• Leverage external technology networks to accelerate differentiated technology opportunities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Science, ideally with a higher qualification (Ph.D.) in pharmaceutical sciences or a related academic field.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in R&D or scientific innovation within pharmaceutical, FMCG, consumer healthcare, or nutritional sectors.
• Significant experience (at least 5 years) in complementary medicine, health food innovation, and new product development for the ANZ market is highly advantageous.
• Experience with OTC product innovation is considered a plus.
• Proven leadership in science with the ability to translate consumer insights into brand-driven R&D pipelines.
• Successful track record in managing end-to-end innovation projects including risk assessment and mitigation.
• Competency in developing and managing integrated innovation program plans and budgets.
• Experience building and utilizing external collaborations with partners, suppliers, key opinion leaders to enhance local brand innovation.
• Capability to influence stakeholders and senior leadership regarding market trends and emerging opportunities.
• Familiarity with innovation scopes such as business development, new product development, clinical claims, novel formulations, and sustainable solutions.
• Knowledge of brand strategy, consumer insights, and translating consumer needs into sustainable science solutions.
• Understanding of regulations governing drugs, complementary medicines, and health foods.
• Strong communication skills with experience partnering across matrix organizations.
• Fluent English proficiency, both spoken and written.

Leadership & Cultural Traits

• Cultivate a challenger mindset to continually push past existing limits with focus on impactful priorities.
• Prioritize organizational and patient interests over personal or team goals with long-term impact considerations.
• Engage actively with customers and consumers to anticipate needs and incorporate external perspectives.
• Demonstrate initiative by making informed and bold decisions proactively.
• Exemplify core values: unity, courage, results focus, and simplicity.
• Business acumen, sound judgment, interpersonal respect, personal leadership, drive, and learning agility are key competencies.

About Opella

Opella is a global self-care challenger company, commanding the third largest portfolio in the OTC and VMS markets worldwide. With over 100 beloved brands and a global team of 11,000 employees, Opella is dedicated to simplifying health for over half a billion consumers. Headquartered in France and certified as a B Corp, Opella prioritizes health and environmental sustainability.