Global Head of Research and Development

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑 

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.  

With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.  

We’re looking for a Global Head of Research & Development to join our Senior Leadership team in Westfalia International.

Westfalia Fruit is seeking a Global Head of Research & Development to lead and evolve the organisation’s global innovation and product development agenda within the convenience category. The role will provide end-to-end ownership of the global R&D and New Product Development (NPD) portfolio, ensuring innovation is aligned with commercial priorities, margin growth and long-term strategic objectives.

The Global Head of R&D will establish a unified innovation framework, standardising development processes and strengthening collaboration between Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations and regional R&D teams. Working closely with executive leadership, the role will drive both short-term product improvements and longer-term innovation across Westfalia’s portfolio, including guacamole, avocado products, mango products, frozen fruit, oils and dried fruit ranges.

The successful candidate will lead regional R&D specialists, oversee project governance and timelines, and accelerate speed-to-market, ensuring innovation projects are delivered efficiently and translate into sustainable commercial growth.

Responsibilities include: 

• Define and deliver Westfalia’s global convenience R&D and innovation strategy aligned to commercial growth and margin objectives.
• Establish a standardised global innovation governance framework to remove fragmentation and duplication across regions.

• Lead the long-term innovation roadmap, balancing disruptive innovation with short-term product improvements and line extensions.
• Drive innovation across Westfalia’s key categories including avocado products, guacamole, mango, frozen fruit, oils and dried fruit.
• Own the global end-to-end NPD portfolio, overseeing development from concept through to commercial launch.
• Implement and manage a robust stage-gate development process to ensure quality, accountability and consistency.
• Prioritise development initiatives based on commercial value, customer demand and operational feasibility.
• Ensure innovation projects are delivered on time, on budget and ready for successful market launch.
• Partner closely with Commercial, Sales, Supply Chain and Operations to align innovation with market and customer needs.
• Collaborate with internal and external production facilities to optimise manufacturing efficiency and product scalability.
• Engage key customers and retail partners to identify trends and translate insights into commercially viable products.
• Lead and develop regional R&D teams while overseeing project governance, timelines and delivery across the innovation portfolio.

Essential Experience, Qualifications & Skills

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in Food Technology, Food Science or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading R&D and product development functions within the food industry.
• Demonstrated experience delivering new product development within fresh, chilled or frozen food categories.
• Strong expertise implementing stage-gate innovation processes and NPD governance frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional innovation programmes across international markets.
• Strong project and portfolio management capability with experience overseeing multiple product development initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience working closely with commercial teams, customers and production environments to bring products to market.
• Leadership experience managing international R&D teams and external development partners.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and customer partners.

Desirable Experience, Qualifications & Skills

• Experience working with fresh produce or HPP (high pressure pasteurizing) processes.
• Experience in frozen fruit, IQF technologies or dried fruit product development.
• Exposure to brand management, portfolio strategy or marketing collaboration.
• Experience working with retail or foodservice customers in international markets.
• Experience leading innovation strategy within global FMCG or food manufacturing organisations
• Additional languages including Spanish, French or German would be beneficial.

We value your efforts, and we show it not only with words but also with actions. 

• You receive an attractive salary, tailored to your education and experience. 

• You work full-time with flexible hours. 

• The extensive package of extra-legal benefits includes many vacation days, hospitalization and group insurance, a mobile phone, meal vouchers, and eco vouchers. 

• You get a versatile job with impact, a lot of independence, and growth opportunities. 

• You can take home dips, avocado bowls, and many other avocado treats. 

• Even outside the workplace, the guacsquad is a close-knit and fun group. From the annual team building to jogging in the forests of Wingene, playing padel, or the legendary football tournaments. And of course, the fun lunch breaks.