Senior Research and Development Executive

Company Description

Milla Dairy LLC, operating under the “Milla” brand since 2011, is a leading dairy producer in Azerbaijan, offering a wide range of products across almost all dairy categories. The factory has a daily production capacity of 250 tons and runs 12 production lines around the clock to deliver fresh and safe products to the market. Milla is a market leader in several dairy segments and is committed to providing high-quality dairy products to the population. The company has a strong presence in retail and HoReCa, with co-pack arrangements for international firms and private labels for local retailers. Milla Dairy actively adopts modern technologies, continuously upgrading its production processes to maintain high standards and efficiency.

Role Description:

Senior Research and Development Executive is a full-time, on-site role based in Baku, responsible for ensuring that the Company delivers reliable, cost-effective and innovative technical solutions in line with the Company strategy. The role supports the industrial team in implementing robust processes, develops and optimizes dairy formulations, and contributes to continuous improvement of product quality and cost.

Reporting Line:

Senior R&D Executive is dedicated to R&D projects and technology support, not to daily production management;

Direct functional line: R&D Director (responsible for priorities, annual objectives, and project portfolio).

Local dotted line: Industrial Director (responsible for integration in the factory, local coordination, and logistical matters)

• R&D / Innovation (Core Focus):

- Develop and optimize formulations for dairy and fermented products (Labneh, Ayran, Kesmekli, UHT milk, etc.).

- Design and execute industrial and pilot trials, ensuring robust documentation and learnings.

- Define functional specifications for ingredients, processes, and finished products.

- Scout, evaluate and validate new technologies, ingredients and suppliers.

- Translate international trends in science/technology into pragmatic solutions for MILLA.

• Technology and Process Support:

- Define and update technical standards (pasteurization, homogenization, bactofugation, CIP, chemicals, UV, AHU, etc.).

- Participate in troubleshooting and root-cause analysis when industrial issues arise.

- Cooperate with Industrial and Quality teams to secure robust implementation of new processes.

- Draft feasibility studies including key process steps, CCPs, and risks.

• Support to Quality & Operations (Limited Scope):

- Provide expertise to Quality Control when significant deviations occur (microbiology, allergens, toxins, heavy metals, pesticides).

- Contribute to writing overall process specifications with Quality & Technology teams.

- Support Operations to establish clear action plans for recurring product issues (taste, texture, visual defects).

* (Note: routine daily follow-up of QA KPIs remains under Quality Manager responsibility.)

• Reporting & Documentation:

- Deliver high-standard reports after each trial or project.

- Maintain clear, timely, and structured documentation of all specifications and processes.

- Act as a role model in project management and cross-functional collaboration.

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Qualifications

• Fluency in English (contact with international experts & suppliers);
• Strong technical expertise in dairy processes, raw milk, and ingredients;
• Food engineer degree in a dairy-related field;
• Strong project management and reporting skills
• Ability to challenge and build on dairy production practices;
• Capacity to co-lead projects with Industrial, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Purchasing and external suppliers
• Excellent behavior attributes (Open, Doer, Empowered, Committed, Team player, Positive, Enthusiastic, Engaged);
• Dynamic and flexible;