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 B2CWillingness 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
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