Objectives:
Lead and oversee the innovation and research strategy of Mitr Phol Group Innovation Centre to deliver business impact, achieve strategic goals, and strengthen collaboration with public and private partners.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Drive innovation and R&D strategies across Mitr Phol's entire value chainfrom sugarcane breeding, cultivation, productivity, and sugar manufacturing to downstream bio-based and biotechnology businessesto enhance competitiveness, create sustainable value, and achieve corporate goals.
- Translate business and innovation strategies into clear, actionable objectives and communicate effectively to motivate teams to deliver targeted outcomes.
- Identify, evaluate, and adopt advanced technologies and biotechnologies related to sugarcane breeding, cultivation, processing efficiency, and bio-based products to enhance competitiveness and sustainability.
- Lead the development and execution of research portfolio and technology roadmap covering cane, sugar, bioenergy, and bio-based products/applications.
- Collaborate crossfunctionally with all business unites such as cane, sugar manufacturing operations, bio-power, bio-fuel, fertilizer, and commercial teams to ensure successful scaling and commercialization of innovations.
- Foster an entrepreneurial, agile innovation culture capable of delivering measurable results in fastmoving and competitive environments.
- Oversee R&D and innovation budgets to ensure optimal resource allocation, cost control, and alignment with strategic priorities.
- Build strategic collaboration with external stakeholders, including research institutes, universities, startups, and public and private agencies related to sugarcane and biotechnology.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report innovation performance, challenges, risks, and continuous improvement opportunities to top management.
- Develop and strengthen team capabilities by coaching and mentoring subordinates to ensure effective execution, succession readiness, and longterm organizational competence.
Qualifications
- Master's degree or higher in Food Engineering, Food Science, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or related disciplines.
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience in R&D, technology development, or innovation management within agricultural, biobased, or biotechnology industries, with demonstrated leadership responsibilities.
- Strong domain expertise in either sugar value chain (agronomy, processing, refining, or downstream applications), or Biobased technology, biotechnology, fermentation, biomass utilization, or biobased product development; with the ability and willingness to integrate and govern both domains strategically.
- Proven capability to lead and align R&D strategies across multiple horizons from core cane-based businesses to emerging biobased technologies and future growth platforms.
- Solid understanding of end-to-end value chain management, from upstream raw materials through processing, product development, and commercialization.
- Demonstrated strategic planning and innovation leadership skills, including portfolio management, prioritization, and resource optimization.
- Strong change management and transformation capability, enabling the organization to adopt new technologies and business models while strengthening core operations.
- Excellent stakeholder management experience, including collaboration with internal business units, research partners, government agencies, industry associations, and academic institutions.
- Good command of English for professional communication in multicultural and cross-border environments.
Note About Hiring Condition:
The initial employment will be offered under a two-year fixed-term contract. Upon completion of the initial term, the contract may be subject to renewal or conversion to a permanent position, subject to performance and business requirements.
Career at Mitr Phol
At Mitr Phol, you'll be empowered, take on meaningful challenges, and grow across diverse business areas. We invest in your learning and career development, rewarding performance with clear progression and long-term stability.
We value collaboration, open ideas, and flexibility, while genuinely caring for your well-being. As part of a company known for its strong reputation and commitment to sustainability, your work will create impact far beyond the bottom line.
About Mitr Phol Group
Mitr Phol Group is a leading agri-business with nearly 70 years of legacy. As Thailand's largest sugar producer and the world's fourth-largest, we are also active in renewable energy, wood substitute materials, and consumer and bio-based products.
We operate with integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability at our corealigned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our philosophy, Cultivating for All, reflects our belief in the dignity and potential of people, and our commitment to developing leaders who create real value.
Mitr Phol is recognized as a top employer in Thailand, receiving the Top Employer Thailand certification for multiple years from the Top Employers Institute (2023 - 2026) for excellent HR practices.
