Customer R&D Manager
Gallarate, Italy
R&D – R&D /
Permanent Full-Time /
On-site
Company: IRCA Group is a leading international B2B provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry, and gelato markets. Our products cater to independent producers as well as large food manufacturers. We produce chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery/pastry essentials. Headquartered in Italy, IRCA Group boasts a strong track record of growth over the past decade, with 22 manufacturing facilities all over the world, 300+ employee and €1 billion of revenues.
What we offer: IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, embracing diversity and valuing diverse perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth by providing tailor-made development programs and career advancement opportunities locally and internationally. With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. Joining our team means becoming part of a global community of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference. If you are looking for stimulating challenges and the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever-growing company, IRCA is the right place.
Purpose of position: We are looking for an experienced R&D Customer Manager to join our Research & Development team, with a focus in Food Manufacturing and on chocolate and fat-based creams.
This role will act as a bridge between commercial and technical teams, supporting product development and industrialization processes for key clients across the EMEA region.
Geographic Scope: Manage a portfolio across the EMEA region, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Balkans, and the UK.
Work with both B2B and B2C companies, with a stronger focus on B2C
Willingness to travel occasionally within the region.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate closely with Sales to receive and translate customer briefs into concrete product development plans
- Develop new recipes or drive cost-saving/optimization projects, ensuring feasibility for scale-up
- Coordinate sample creation in partnership with R&D Specialists and Application Technicians
- Monitor both internal and external application tests, including customer plant trials when needed
- Approve samples and validate recipes before full-scale production and shipment to customers
- Liaise with Lab Technicians (chocolate and creams) to plan and interpret lab analysis based on project needs
- Manage technical documentation: product codes, technical data sheets, application reports
- Participate in Innovation Days (in Italy and abroad) to showcase IRCA’s production sites, technology, and know-how
- Provide cross-functional support to Production and Quality teams for recipe standardization and continuous improvement
Requirements
- Degree in Food Science & Technology or related fields
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar R&D role in the food industry (confectionery preferred)
- Strong technical knowledge of chocolate and fat-based cream production processes
- Hands-on experience with industrial scale-up and cross-functional project coordination
- High attention to detail, autonomy, and ability to work under pressure on multiple parallel projects
- Fluent in English (mandatory); additional languages are a plus
We welcome applications from candidates of all genders, backgrounds, identities, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion, or belief. We believe in equal opportunities for all and ensure that our hiring process complies with the highest standards of non-discrimination and inclusivity. IRCA Group is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves, reach their full potential, and feel a true sense of belonging. Join us in creating a workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone can thrive.
Il presente annuncio è rivolto ai candidati dell’uno e dell’altro sesso ai sensi del D.lgs. 198/2006 e ai candidati appartenenti a qualsiasi genere, nel rispetto dei principi di diversità e inclusione e di non discriminazione.
