R&D Manager (Product Development) Attractive Salary (DOE) Pension Holiday Exmoor - Commutable from South Molton, Tiverton, Taunton, Minehead, Bridgewater, Barnstaple Are you an R&D manager looking for the next exciting step in your career with a company who is rapidly expanding across the globe? Do you want to lead an innovative & collaborative team working on world class products with an industry leader? Due to continued expansion there is a rare & exciting opportunity for an R&D Manager to join a global manufacturer on a beautiful site in Exmoor. The R&D Manager will be responsible for leading the research and development activities of the company to drive innovation, product development, and process improvement. This role involves managing the R&D team & overseeing project timelines and budgets whilst ensuring that R&D initiatives align with business goals and customer needs. This will be a hands-on role, reporting into the Technical Director where you will be involved in one or more areas of product development as well as the management of other personnel and external suppliers. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced R&D Manager to work for an innovative company on Exmoor in a varied & interesting leadership role. Due to site location, you must be able to drive, and this role would suit either someone who lives locally, or someone looking to move to this beautiful part of Somerset. The role: Develop and implement R&D strategies that support company objectives Lead and manage R&D projects from concept through to commercialisation Supervise and mentor R&D team Manage R&D budgets, timelines, and resource allocation Prepare and present technical reports, data analyses, and project updates to senior management Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement Collaborate with sales, marketing, and manufacturing teams to align innovation with market needs Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor products Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, quality standards, and safety protocolsThe person: Bachelor's or master's degree in a scientific or engineering discipline 5-10 years of experience in R&D, with at least 3 years in a leadership role Strong project management skills and experience with product development cycles Expertise in one or more of: mechanical design, electronics design, firmware development, plastic chemistry, product testing or approvals Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills Knowledge of regulatory requirements (ISO, ICAR) is a plus To apply for this role or to be considered for further roles, please click "Apply Now" or contact Sarah Hibberd at Rise Technical Recruitment. Rise Technical Recruitment Ltd acts an employment agency for permanent roles and an employment business for temporary roles. The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates