R&D Team Leader

Berry Recruitment is delighted to support our client in the appointment of an R&D Team Leader to join their locally managed Research & Development function. This role plays a key part in delivering innovative, best‑tasting confectionery products to consumers while ensuring compliance with UK MHRA, food and EU supplement regulations.

The successful candidate will be a strong people leader with proven experience managing technical teams. A degree is beneficial but not essential where candidates can demonstrate substantial hands‑on experience in product or process development within regulated environments.

• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technologists and admin staff.

• Drive performance management, capability development and progression planning.

• Create a positive, collaborative and high‑performing team culture.

• Prioritise R&D resource effectively in line with business needs and HR requirements.

• Oversee product and process development projects from concept through to launch.

• Provide technical guidance and act as a subject‑matter resource for the team.

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and issue resolution activities.

• Ensure technical milestones are delivered on time and to quality standards.

• Support decision‑making on key technical and resource matters.

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain and Finance.

• Communicate project status, risks and recommendations clearly to stakeholders.

• Represent R&D in cross‑functional meetings and support business decision‑making.

• Analyse and communicate technical and regulatory risks effectively.

• Make clear, informed recommendations that balance risk with business progress.

• Role‑model best practice in strategic risk‑taking and decision‑making.

• Ensure all R&D activities comply with MHRA, UK food and EU supplement regulations.

• Uphold company Health, Safety and Quality policies.

• Maintain ethical and legal compliance in all aspects of work.

• Stay up to date with nutritional, regulatory and licensed medicine developments.

• Identify personal development needs and maintain future‑fit technical capability.

• Strong people management experience within a technical, scientific or regulated environment.

• Proven ability to lead teams, coach individuals and manage performance.

• Experience delivering product development or process development projects.

• Ability to prioritise resources and manage workload across multiple projects.

• Excellent communication skills, able to tailor messaging to different audiences.

• Strong cross‑functional collaboration experience.

• Understanding of regulated environments (food, pharma, healthcare, FMCG).

• Degree in a relevant scientific discipline - experience can outweigh education.

• Experience with MHRA, UK food or EU supplement regulations.

• Knowledge of statistical analysis or data‑driven decision‑making.

• Experience in healthcare confectionery, FMCG or similar sectors.

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the job.