R&D Application Manager Chocolate

WHO WE ARE:

At The Cocoa Project, our mission is to cultivate a chocolate culture in Vietnam. We aspire to establish a space where we can weave and share captivating narratives surrounding chocolate. Our brand offers a diverse array of chocolate products in a unique F&B Store and manufacturing business, where innovation, disruption, and creativity form the core elements driving our company's growth under a genuinely sustainable business model.

WHAT YOU WILL GET:

We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager specializing in chocolate applications to lead the development of innovative products for B2B industrial customers and B2C retail. This role combines technical expertise, scientific understanding, and hands-on formulation skills to support product innovation, customer projects, and production scale-up.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Product Development & Innovation

• Develop new chocolate products or adapt existing formulations following company strategy and customer needs.

• Conduct application tests (molding, enrobing, panning, tempering, inclusions, fillings) under defined procedures to ensure accuracy and reproducibility.

• Prepare technical documentation: raw materials, formulation sheets, production instructions, shelf-life and storage notes, sensory results, cost structure, and product standards.

• Provide technical guidance on chocolate properties such as crystallization, viscosity, fat migration, water activity, and shelf-life.

• Investigate and resolve issues related to raw materials, prototypes, and scale-up processes; proactively explore new ingredients and technologies.

• Identify cost-optimization opportunities through ingredients, formulation, or process improvements.

• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and maintain confidentiality.

• Track market and regional product trends and translate insights into new product opportunities.

2. Customer Support & Business Development

• Deliver technical presentations, demonstrations, and seminars showcasing product capabilities and solutions.

• Support customers through product training, application guidance, and sample preparation.

• Participate in customer events with Sales and Marketing teams.

• Identify new business opportunities for chocolate applications and contribute to key account planning and technical discussions.

3. Internal Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work with the factory and processing teams on pilot trials, industrial scale-up, and recipe transfer to ensure consistent production outcomes.

• Provide internal training for Sales/Marketing to build technical knowledge about chocolate science and applications.

• Stay updated on new technologies, equipment, and industry trends and share insights with internal teams.

• Ensure proper maintenance and efficient operation of R&D lab equipment.

• Build and maintain a professional network with chocolate schools, machinery suppliers, and industry partners.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related field.

• 3–5+ years of experience in chocolate R&D, confectionery technology, or food manufacturing.

• Hands-on experience with chocolate formulation, tempering, viscosity control, panning, molding, and industrial application development.

Technical Skills

• Experience in chocolate production and product development, along with a sound understanding of chocolate, flavors, and textures.

• Ability to create and deliver excellent products that meet/exceeds customer expectations.

• Experience with pilot-scale and industrial processing equipment.

• Ability to design experiments, conduct trials, and document results clearly.

• Familiarity with food safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication in English & Vietnamese

• Presentation, training skills and workshop facilitation experience is highly desirable.

• Customer-oriented with the ability to solve technical problems quickly.

• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple projects.

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally.

BENEFITS:

• Salary: Negotiate base on competency

• 12 days of annual leave + 01 leaving on the birthday

• 5 days per week, 8h/day (Off Saturday & Sunday)

• Training opportunities;

• SHUI in full salary

• Lunch, parking, phone, job allowances

• Premium Insurance PVI for official Employee

• Annual salary review;

• Yearly health check;

• 13th month salary (depend on business result)

• Yearly company trip (depend on business result)