About CHI Limited
CHI limited is one of the most admired companies in the Food & Beverages industry in Nigeria. It offers products that are themselves benchmarks in their respective categories of Juice, Dairy and Snacks. Today, CHI Limited is the undisputed market leader in fruit juices, fruit drinks and yoghurts in Nigeria. In the Juice Nectar Still Drinks (JNSD) category, CHI Limited has mega brands such as CHIVITA 100%, CHIVITA Active, CHI Exotic, Happy Hour by Chivita, CHI Ice Tea & Capri-Sonne. CHI Limited also takes great pride in its range of dairy products, which include Hollandia Yoghurt, Hollandia Evaporated Milk, Hollandia UHT Milk, Hollandia Soya Milk, CHI Fit and Smart Fruit Milk Drink, to name a few.
Job Title: Research & Development Manager
Location: Nigeria
Job Summary
We are seeking a Research & Development Manager who will lead product development, innovation, reformulation, and process optimisation initiatives to support business growth and product excellence. The role is responsible for translating consumer and market insights into commercially viable products, improving existing formulations, optimising manufacturing processes, and ensuring compliance with applicable food safety and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities.
- Product Development and Innovation: Lead new product development from concept generation and formulation through prototyping, sensory evaluation, pilot trials, scale-up, and factory implementation. Identify innovation opportunities through market research, consumer insights, and competitive benchmarking.
- Product Reformulation and Cost Optimisation: Drive product reformulation and process improvements to enhance product quality, sensory performance, nutritional value, and stability while achieving cost savings without compromising product standards.
- Process Technology and Validation: Develop and optimise manufacturing processes, establish validated operating parameters, and collaborate with Process Engineering to resolve scale-up challenges and improve production performance.
- Technical Documentation and Regulatory Support: Maintain accurate formulations, product specifications, bills of materials, manufacturing parameters, raw material specifications, and technical dossiers. Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs to support product registrations, claims, labelling, and other regulatory submissions.
- Ingredient Research and Supplier Evaluation: Evaluate and qualify new ingredients and raw materials based on functionality, quality, sensory performance, cost, and sustainability. Partner with Procurement to assess suppliers and explore suitable local sourcing alternatives.
- Manufacturing and Commercialisation Support: Provide technical support during product trials, first production runs, and commercialisation. Troubleshoot formulation and process issues, collaborate with Production and Quality Assurance, and implement improvements that enhance line efficiency and reduce production deviations.
- Quality, Safety, and Team Leadership: Oversee sensory evaluation programmes and shelf-life studies, ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, and ISO 22000 requirements, manage R&D projects and laboratory operations, and coach team members to strengthen technical capability and innovation delivery.
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or another relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
- A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage.
- Relevant professional certifications in food safety, quality management, product development, or project management will be an advantage.
- Strong technical knowledge of product development, formulation, reformulation, and innovation within the food and beverage industry.
- Sound understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, sensory science, product stability, and shelf-life evaluation.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, process optimisation, scale-up, and process validation.
- Understanding of food safety and quality management systems, including HACCP, GMP, and ISO 22000.
- Knowledge of applicable Nigerian regulatory requirements, including NAFDAC, SON, and FCCPC requirements relevant to product development and reformulation.
- Strong analytical, experimental, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret trial results and translate findings into practical improvements.
- Ability to manage multiple R&D projects, budgets, timelines, and cross-functional deliverables.
- Strong technical documentation, report-writing, and presentation skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills, particularly when working with Marketing, Production, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Procurement.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to balance product quality, consumer expectations, manufacturing feasibility, and cost efficiency.
Experience
- At least 5–7 years of relevant experience in research and development, product development, food technology, or process optimisation within the food and beverage or FMCG industry.
Application Deadline: 26, October 2026
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and Qualified candidates should use link below to apply.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
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