Job Opportunity: R&D Technical Coordinator

Company: Decco Ibérica Post Cosecha S.A.U
Location: Paterna, Valencia (Spain)

DECCO, a UPL company, is looking for a skilled and Dynamic R&D Technical Coordinator to join its team. The R&D Technical Coordinator will play a crucial role in managing the lab team and coordinating the development and validation of regional project, support prioritized global projects. The role will encompass full responsibility for technical support in the Iberian region, coordinating with commercial teams, managing regional projects, supporting formulation development and coordinate customer support to meet market needs. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential for customer interactions and the global alignment of product developments.

Job responsabilities

1. Team Management & Coordination

• Manage the laboratory team, setting and tracking KPIs, assigning tasks, and overseeing daily operations.
• Develop and submit monthly reports laboratory activities, project progress, and milestones acheived as per project strategy and regional demand.
• Design and verify protocols across categories for project/product testing in laboratory (invitro, invivo).
• Maintain the log, SOP for lab machines timely plan for the repair and upkeep and indent for lab consumables.
• Co-ordinate with formulation team to support with product validation.

2. Technical Support in the Iberian Region

• Assume 100% responsibility for resolving technical issues in the Iberian market, including product quality, equipment, and resource challenges.
• Engage with the sales team and customers to provide technical assistance, handle certifications, documents, reports, and meetings.
• Collaborate with the Iberian sales team and management, providing weekly updates on customer developments.
• Lead technical meetings with customers to address product concerns, testing needs, and troubleshooting.
• Participate at seminars, congresses, and other industry events in co-ordination with formulation team.

3. Product Development, Validation & Commercialization

• Drive product development, from startegy and plan to implementation .
• Evaluate commercial and semi-commercial trials, design protocols and coordinating packaging facilities and orchards for testing.
• Oversee product validation processes during packaging and prepare final report conclusions.
• Expand the application of current products to new crops and countries, providing support to global initiatives.
• Engage, consult and connect with key university researchers, extension agents, consultants, and customer for 3rd party validation opportunity.
• Plan, execute, and communicate the progress of global trials and projects.
• Participate in local, regional, and global meetings for project updates and alignment.
• Support fellow regional R&D Manager by providing documentation, technical information, and project trial data.
• Collaborate on additional projects, including those focused on biologicals, fungicides, and low-toxicity alternatives.

Required education and Knowledge:

• Degree in Food Technology, Agronomy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of post-harvest processes and coating technologies.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in similar position
• Experience in laboratory team management and project coordination.
• Excellent problem-solving and technical communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally across global teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish; additional languages are an asset.

Required competences:

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• High organizational and project management capability.
• Strategic problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication skills for customer-facing interactions and internal coordination.
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle a dynamic work environment.
• Technical proficiency in designing and implementing product trials and evaluations.
• Ability to understand market needs and translate them into product development and improvement strategies.

Interested?

Send your CV to Cristina Sánchez, HR Head – DECCO WW: cristina.sanchez1@upl-ltd.com

About DECCO

DECCO, a UPL company is the global leader in providing postharvest solutions to reduce food waste and enhance the freshness of fresh fruits and vegetables all along the food supply chain. DECCO delivers value every day to packers, shippers, supermarkets and consumers with customized coating, decay control, sanitization and disinfection products, application technology, on- site service and almost 90 years of postharvest expertise. Our 200+ dedicated DECCO employees operate in over 40 countries.

Our purpose is to enable more and better Fresh Food for the world.

More.Beautiful.Fresh