More than 100 jobs are being created at a new research and development centre at a food manufacturer in Melbourne's east.

Kraft Foods is setting up a confectionary centre of excellence at its plant in Ringwood, which will employ food scientists to develop products for Asia.

Premier Ted Baillieu says the centre could expand the company's market from $20 million Australians to $1.6 billion people across the Asia-Pacific.

"The centre of excellence will be a world-class, globally competitive research facility reaching out to the world," he said.

"The centre will deliver a very significant boost for Victorian food manufacturing innovation. It will be staffed by the largest food R and D team in Australia."