Senior RD&A Technologist – Meat Product Development

About Kerry

Kerry stands as the foremost global taste and nutrition company catering to food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. We collaborate daily with partners to design healthier, more delectable, and sustainable products enjoyed by billions worldwide. Our ambition is to be recognized as the most trusted partner, driving a future of sustainable nutrition. Joining Kerry provides a unique chance to influence the future of food innovation while advancing your career within a truly international setup.

Role Overview

We invite applications for a Senior RD&A Technologist role within our Foodservice Europe team, based at the Global Technology & Innovation Centre in Naas, Ireland. This role offers the opportunity to join a vibrant and commercially-driven team responsible for creating standout products tailored to leading Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and Foodservice clientele across Europe.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full formulation lifecycle of meat products, including developing coatings, marinades, glazes, and functional brines.
• Convert customer briefs into feasible, market-ready products by managing projects from initial concept to production handoff.
• Work in tandem with flavourists, chefs, and application specialists to craft and validate cutting-edge foodservice solutions.
• Leverage deep technical and market insights on ingredients, processing techniques, and industry trends to inform product development.
• Create scalable, cost-efficient formulations compliant with manufacturing and regulatory standards.
• Design and oversee pilot plant trials and conduct thorough product validations.
• Support scale-up phases and initial production launches both internally and with external manufacturers.
• Develop and maintain strong client partnerships by providing expert technical guidance and collaborative problem resolution.
• Coordinate closely with Sales, Marketing, and Business Development teams to drive customer engagement and business growth.
• Lead research initiatives targeting enhancement of flavor profiles, textures, color, nutrition, and overall product quality.
• Guarantee products meet all quality, safety, and regulatory requirements, including shelf-life studies and comprehensive technical reporting.
• Manage project timelines and communicate key milestones effectively to stakeholders from initiation through launch.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Hands-on experience specifically in developing meat-based products.
• Strong familiarity with the Foodservice and QSR industry sectors.
• Expertise in ingredient functionality, formulation science, and meat processing technologies.
• Proven success in managing product development projects from ideation to commercial marketplace introduction.
• In-depth understanding of food chemistry, sensory evaluation, microbiology, and engineering principles related to food.
• Experience conducting pilot-scale trials, overseeing product scale-up, and supporting manufacturing processes.
• Excellent project management capabilities combined with strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative approach with an innovative mindset and enthusiasm for pioneering market-leading food technologies.