This is an exciting opportunity to drive innovation in the dairy industry, both in New Zealand and globally. We are seeking an R&D Project Leader to join the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania (YICO), established in 2016 and located at Lincoln University in Christchurch. YICO serves as a key hub in Yili's global innovation network, collaborating closely with partners across the value chain in areas such as nutrition and health, product and process technology, food safety, and farm management. YICO is strategically positioned to lead Yili's efforts in the functional ingredients sector by leveraging its existing research partnerships and the strong reputation it has built within New Zealand and Australian research communities. This network offers significant opportunities for further collaboration and growth.
Yili Group, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, is among the top five dairy producers in the world, renowned for its wide range of products, including milk, yogurt, ice cream, and powdered milk. Operating in over 30 countries, Yili has a prominent international presence. In New Zealand, Yili's portfolio includes Oceania Dairy Limited, Westland Milk Products, EasiYo, Canary Butter, and Pure Nutrition Limited; organisations that this role will frequently liaise with. The company is deeply committed to innovation, sustainability, safety and enhancing both product quality and consumer well-being.
The purpose of this role is to identify and research new opportunities for innovation mainly in the functional ingredient space but also including other innovation areas that will contribute to building an innovation pipeline for the Innovation Centre. This role is also needed to facilitate communication and project management between NZ and China including translation during travel and meetings and for certain documentation, assisting with regular department reporting in Chinese, and finally managing the project management databases which operate in Chinese.
In the role of R&D Project Leader, you will be responsible for (not limited to):
Identifying functional ingredient open innovation opportunities that will match with current product or future capability in both Australia and NZ.
Developing business cases to support project investment for innovation activities.
Assisting with communication with China through expert translation of technical issues, budget development, utilising the internal project management systems to monitor and report on project progress.
Developing a strong network of research and academic institutes to maximise R&D opportunities.
Leading open innovation projects around existing and new ingredients.
The successful applicant will have:
Post-graduate University Degree (master's essential, PhD preferred).
5+ years of relevant experience to draw on preferably in the dairy industry.
Fluent written and oral Mandarin.
Excellent ability to use word and excel and learn to use project management and approval software (Chinese).
Willingness to take responsibility for day-to-day management of projects for the whole centre relating to China requirements.
Good networking ability is essential to have discussions with scientists from different fields but also with finance/regulatory/research colleagues.
Why take on this role?
Do you want to be a part of something bigger? This role allows the successful candidate to have their finger on the pulse, promote product development and research and network with brilliant minds from all over the world. In combination this role is the key connection to our China based Innovation Centre, providing incomparable exposure for your own personal development.
This is a full-time role (40 hours per week) at the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania based at Lincoln University.
The salary range for this role is $90,000 to $117,000.
This is a rare opportunity that you do not want to miss! So why wait? Apply now!
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