As our R&D Manager, you'll lead the development and execution of Asahi's R&D strategy, identifying emerging technologies, building strategic partnerships and driving innovation from concept through to commercial outcomes.
R&D Manager
Southbank, Melbourne
Your Impact
This is an opportunity to shape the future of innovation at Asahi Beverages.
As our R&D Manager, you'll lead the development and execution of Asahi's R&D strategy, identifying emerging technologies, building strategic partnerships and driving innovation from concept through to commercial outcomes. Working across Commercial, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Global R&D teams, you'll play a key role in identifying new growth opportunities that strengthen our portfolio and keep Asahi at the forefront of the industry.
You'll work beyond traditional product development, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners including universities, startups, innovation hubs and research organisations to explore new technologies and future-focused solutions.
Key Accountabilities
- Develop and deliver Asahi's R&D strategy across product, packaging, manufacturing and sustainability innovation.
- Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, trends and breakthrough opportunities that can create long-term commercial value.
- Lead innovation projects from early concept through validation, pilot and commercialisation.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with external organisations including universities, startups, research institutes and innovation ecosystems.
- Collaborate closely with Commercial, Innovation, Supply Chain and Global Asahi teams to align innovation priorities with business strategy.
- Manage Asahi's global R&D collaboration programs, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within governance requirements.
- Lead and develop an R&D Specialist while fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity and continuous improvement.
- Present recommendations and influence senior stakeholders through clear storytelling and commercially focused business cases.
About You
You'll bring experience leading innovation, R&D or commercialisation initiatives and enjoy connecting ideas with real business outcomes. You're naturally curious, commercially minded and thrive when solving problems that don't have obvious solutions.
You'll also bring:
- Experience in R&D, innovation, commercialisation, product development or a related field.
- A proven ability to take ideas from concept through to implementation or commercial launch.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
- Experience working across multiple business functions and managing complex projects.
- The ability to build strong internal and external partnerships to drive innovation.
- A strategic mindset with the confidence to challenge conventional thinking and identify new opportunities.
- Experience within FMCG, manufacturing, food & beverage, consumer goods or a similarly complex environment is highly regarded.
- Exposure to startup, venture, university or innovation ecosystems will be highly regarded.
Why Asahi Beverages?
At Asahi Beverages, we're passionate about creating meaningful experiences through our iconic brands while building a more sustainable future. Innovation sits at the heart of everything we do, and this role offers the rare opportunity to influence the future direction of one of Australia's leading beverage businesses.
Join a collaborative, high-performing team where your ideas will have real impact, you'll work alongside global innovation leaders, and you'll help shape the next generation of products, technologies and sustainable solutions.
