R&D Project Manager

Department: Continuous Improvement

Location: IT, IT

Job ID:

Description

As R&D Project Manager, you will be responsible for driving the strategic planning and execution of Research & Development projects from concept to commercialization. You will ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with business objectives, while coordinating cross-functional teams and external partners. The role combines project management, product development, innovation, cost optimization, and quality assurance, with a strong focus on business impact and continuous improvement. You will also monitor project performance, identify emerging opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations to senior leadership.

What you will do:

Lead the strategic planning and execution of R&D projects, defining scope, objectives, deliverables, and timelines aligned with business priorities.

Assess technical feasibility and financial viability, managing project budgets, costs, resources, and investment decisions to ensure successful delivery.

Drive end-to-end project lifecycle management, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring alignment from concept development through commercialization.

Identify and mitigate project risks, implementing contingency plans and quality control processes to ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards.

Manage relationships with external partners, including universities, research institutes, suppliers, and industry stakeholders, to support innovation and project execution.

Monitor project performance through KPIs, reporting progress and recommendations to senior management while identifying emerging technologies, market trends, and continuous improvement opportunities.

✨Who we are looking for:

3–4 years of proven experience in R&D Project Management, New Product Development, and project portfolio management within complex organizations, preferably in FMCG environments or manufacturing companies operating in sectors such as household appliances, food, and consumer goods in general.

Solid understanding of mechanical engineering, electronics, automation systems, and laboratory testing methodologies (coffee machine design will be a plus).

Strong knowledge of product cost engineering, business case evaluation, budgeting, and cost optimization throughout the product lifecycle.

Familiarity with food, packaging, machinery regulations, quality standards, and compliance requirements.

Analytical and innovative mindset, with strong stakeholder management communication, business partnering, and cross-functional leadership skills, dealing with multiple departments such as Procurement, Portfolio, R&D, Operations, External suppliers.

Proficiency in the use of PMI-based project management tools and methodologies, with the ability to effectively plan, execute, monitor, and control projects. PMI certifications (e.g., PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP) will be considered a strong plus.

✨ In Return We Offer

Comprehensive welfare package including short working week during summer months

Hybrid working policy (10 days a month remote working)

Access to company facilities, such as restaurant service & corporate gym

A fast paced and dynamic international context

Salary and benefits

The role is classified at Level 1 under the Italian CCNL Industria Alimentare

Initial annual gross salary of minimum € 53.000

Premio per Obiettivi (PPO) equal to € 2.500 at target level for 2026

What next?

Our Talent Acquisition Team will assess your application and if you have what we’re looking for, you'll be contacted for an initial interviewIf you make it to the short list, you’ll be interviewed by the Hiring Manager and if necessary, other members of the hiring panelIn some cases, you may be required to show us your skills via technical challenge.

Who We Are

Our Group was founded in Turin in 1895, has been owned by the Lavazza family for four generations. As one of the world’s most important coffee roasters, we operate in more than 140 countries through our brands, subsidiaries and distributors, with a total of over 5,500 employees.

Every day we operate in all sectors of the coffee industry, offering our products through every channel and positioning our brands as a high-quality blend.

We are a community of single origins united into a perfect blend, humans enriching one another through our mutual diversity.

Awakening a better world every morning: the commitment

#torino

Job Segment: R&D Engineer, R&D, Project Manager, Strategic Planning, QA, Engineering, Research, Technology, Strategy, Quality