Beauty & Wellbeing Vietnam R&D Lead

Job Purpose
The role of the Beauty & Wellbeing (B&W) Vietnam (VN) R&D Leader is to act as business partner on the Country Leadership team for B&W, Vietnam and look after R&D for Hair Care and Skin Care categories. The role is part of Regional SEA R&D, and will act as key R&D contact for the business. The job holder liaises with the relevant Category R&D Design teams to ensure product technologies are identified and developed in line with business strategy and portfolio plans.
Vietnam is a key strategic country for the B&W Category and the R&D Leader will play an important role to drive growth for this market as well as shape the future portfolio for local jewels.
The key job role is to be the R&D lead representative for Vietnam, partnering with the business, and leading the B&W R&D team.
What Will Your Main Responsibilities Be
Country R&D Representative
• First point of call for any country activity that requires R&D input
• Responsible and accountable to deliver agreed total R&D program in the country in close partnership with Region/Global. Resources deployed on innovation agenda through agreed gatekeeping principles, allowing fast tracking of low risk/low complexity projects
• Work with CCBT to identify opportunities for growth of category and business in VN, and drive creation of new local projects for the pipeline
• Develop framework for ‘consumer perceived superiority’ that is locally relevant and develop claims packages for key innovations
• Own and build innovation and claims roadmaps for global & local brands working with CCBT and R&D expertise teams
• Delivery of all R&D elements OTIF and driving efficiency through the R&D organisation
• Build interfaces with R&D organisation at Regional/Global to drive ‘One R&D’ mindset and channel appropriate resources to the Country needs
• Represent R&D on Supply Chain Transformation and 3PM networks, to enable design of appropriate manufacturing systems in line with site master plans
• Drive Digital agenda for country and region
• Build best practice for conditioner and other post-wash market development (MDM along with marketing teams to drive category penetration and depth of consumption
• Be the ‘product expert’ on Hair and Skin care in the VN market, working with influencers and external KOFs to drive messages on Hair fundamentals and UL product portfolio
• Develop mechanisms to capture local insights/trends and use effectively in creation of comms and MTI (Maximising Technology Impact) assets for different audiences and channels
• Lead sustainability agenda for B&W in VN by partnering with internal and external stakeholders to develop robust model PCR implementation, recyclable sachets in a circular system
• Build functional and category expertise along with capabilities in the team in line with Purpose led, Future fit organization principles
• Be the voice of product in the Country LT. Help identify new trends and technology opportunities and ensure strong links with design teams
• Ensure OTIF delivery of R&D elements of agreed total brand innovation plan and agreed 5S saving and simplification plans; own innovation agenda together with Marketing and SC
• Identify opportunities for outsourcing as appropriate for capacity or capability build
• R&D partner for ensuring regulatory compliance, issue management, competitor challenges, relevant industry engagement and advocacy
• Support to Quality and Consumer complaint management where related to design
• Champion MTI and product activation with consumers and customers. Drive deep channel understanding and identify relevant growth opportunities using full product portfolio.
• Lead and manage the R&D team (internal resources), as well as external partners or resources tapped to support the program

Attractive bonus scheme
,#Laptop provided
,#Team Building activities
,#Shuttle bus provided
,#Onsite canteen provided

Business Acumen, Communication, FMCG, Leadership, R&D Experience