R&D Category Leader - Intersnack

R&D Category Leader - Intersnack
Ashby-de-la-Zouch (Home of KP Snacks’ Hula Hoops, popchips, Nik Naks, and more…)

Intersnack is a leading European producer of savoury snacks, creating memorable snacking experiences for millions of consumers. As a privately held business, we take a long-term view — balancing growth, innovation and sustainability.

In 2024, Intersnack achieved a turnover of more than €4.5 billion. We operate in over 30 countries, with 45 manufacturing sites, 12 regional management units and around 15,000 colleagues worldwide.

About the role

This is a senior, high-impact role at the heart of the Intersnack R&D organisation. As R&D Category Leader, you will own the product innovation strategy for your category and co-create the long-term innovation roadmap in partnership with the European Category Marketing Lead.

You will shape how our products evolve over the next three years — from breakthrough innovation to quality improvements, Better‑for‑You (BFY) transformation and productivity opportunities. Covering all technical aspects of the category, you will work across multiple countries, functions and cultures to turn insight into products that succeed in market and strengthen Intersnack’s reputation as a responsible manufacturer.

What’s in it for you?
We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Here’s a flavour of what we offer:

Competitive annual salary

£9,000 car cash allowance

Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement

Comprehensive healthcare support – including a Medicash Health Cash Plan or Private Healthcare (family cover), Digital GP, Best Doctors second‑opinion service and specialist cancer care

KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary

25 days holiday, with the option to buy more

KP4ME – our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more

What will you be doing?

Owning the R&D category innovation strategy, building and delivering a sustainable three‑year product innovation pipeline aligned to Group priorities

Leading end‑to‑end product development, from consumer insight and opportunity identification through to feasibility, specification, launch and in‑market performance

Driving quality and continuous improvement, ensuring product design improvements are captured in specifications and validated through multi‑country competitive testing

Embedding Better‑for‑You and sustainability goals, ensuring products meet regulatory requirements and support the Group’s OGSM, CSR and sustainability ambitions

Providing strong technical leadership and governance, managing R&D resources, steering external partners, and ensuring projects follow the IMAGINE process with clear, data‑led decision making

Who are we?

Glad you asked! We're Intersnack, which KP Snacks is a part of. Picture this: over 15,000 of us, spread across more than 30 countries, all working together to create the snacks you love. From Hula Hoops to McCoy's, from Pombär to Chio, we're the team behind your favourite munchies. 

We’re committed to inclusion
We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.

We’d love to hear from you if you can bring:

Deep technical expertise in food science and product development, gained within a branded FMCG food environment

Proven experience leading complex R&D innovation projects, ideally across multiple countries and cultures

Strong business partnering skills, with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders across R&D, Marketing, Operations, Quality and Procurement

A track record of building and leading high‑performing teams, with a coaching mindset that develops capability and talent

Commercial and strategic thinking, including experience with cost of goods, value engineering and innovation business cases

Education & Qualifications

Degree‑qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline (BSc, MSc, PhD or equivalent experience)

Experience working with both branded and retailer products

Senior‑level experience within the food industry

Fluent English, written and spoken

Willingness to travel and work in an international environment

#LI-SC1 #LI-Hybrid