Innovation Manager

ofi (olam food ingredients), a new operating group from Olam Group, offers sustainable, natural, value-added food products and ingredients. The company includes leading businesses in cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices, with a global value chain spanning farming operations, farm-gate origination, and manufacturing facilities.

ofi began operations in Vietnam in 1997 and has since established a significant presence, with its head office in Ho Chi Minh City, along with regional offices and seven major factories across various provinces. Today, we are the largest exporter of cashews, pepper, and instant coffee, and among the top exporters of green coffee in Vietnam. We work closely with a vast network of farmers, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable sourcing and long-term partnerships.

With over 4,500 employees, ofi Vietnam focuses on performance through employee engagement, a diverse and inclusive culture, and talent development. Our new strategy - Choices for Change - aims for long-term impact by 2030 across four pillars: Prosperous Farmers, Thriving Communities, Climate Action, and Regenerating the Living World. Through these initiatives, ofi Vietnam is dedicated to driving positive change in Vietnam's agricultural landscape by investing in people and sustainability.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Innovation Manager to lead product development initiatives within the Spices and Seasonings category. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise and a proven track record in spices product development, formulation, and innovation. This role will play a key part in expanding our product portfolio, improving existing products, and driving market-relevant innovation to support business growth.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Product Development & Innovation

• Lead the development of new spice and seasoning products, from concept creation to commercialization.
• Formulate spice blends, optimize recipes, and oversee prototype development.
• Apply sensory evaluation, ingredient functionality knowledge, and flavor optimization techniques to ensure high-quality outcomes.

2. Market & Consumer Insight Integration

• Analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitor offerings to identify innovation opportunities.
• Translate insights into actionable concepts aligned with business strategy and consumer needs.

3. Project & Pipeline Management

• Manage the innovation pipeline, ensuring timely execution of all development projects.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Procurement to support product launch and scale-up activities.

4. Technical Expertise & Problem-Solving

• Provide technical guidance on raw materials, spice sourcing, ingredient interactions, and processing methods.
• Troubleshot formulation or production issues and recommend practical solutions.

5. Continuous Improvement

• Review and enhance existing spice products for flavor consistency, cost optimization, and quality improvement.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and drive efficiency in development activities.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline. Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum 5-10 years of hands-on experience in spices product development, food formulation, flavor creation, or seasoning innovation.
• Experience working in food manufacturing, FMCG, or spice/blend companies is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of spice profiles, blends, ingredient functionality, and formulation principles.
• Creative mindset with the ability to generate innovative product concepts.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
• Analytical thinking with attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Our Purpose is to be the change for good food and a healthy future. At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions will be based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.