Manager Research & Development

Key Responsibilities:

1. New Product Innovation & Development

• Develop new formulations, ingredients, and product lines based on market trends and consumer preferences.
• Well versed in research activities like Competitive Benchmarking, Ingredient Screening, Literature Searching & Understanding.
• Research and experiment with innovative ingredients, textures, and flavors to enhance product offerings.
• Work closely with food scientists and ingredient suppliers to source high-quality raw materials.
• Collaborate with marketing, R&D, and consumer insights teams to identify market gaps and innovation opportunities.

2. Recipe Formulation & Testing

• Develop and test new formulations for taste, texture, stability, and shelf life.
• Conduct trials and pilot tests to ensure product feasibility for large-scale production.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, including FDA, FSSAI, HACCP, and GMP.

3. Product Development & Process Optimization

• Work closely with production teams to optimize recipes for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality consistency.
• Troubleshoot production challenges related to ingredient interactions, processing, and storage stability.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product performance and reduce waste.

4. Market Research & Trend Analysis

• Stay updated on emerging trends in the ice cream industry, including clean-label, plant-based, and low-sugar products.
• Analyze competitor products and customer feedback to identify innovation opportunities.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to refine product taste, usability, and appeal.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to translate consumer insights into product concepts.
• Translate customer insights into actionable product development strategies.

5. Compliance & Regulatory Management

• Ensure that all new products comply with food safety regulations (FDA, FSSAI, USDA, etc.).
• Maintain accurate documentation for product specifications, ingredient declarations, and nutritional labelling.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to meet HACCP, GMP, and other food safety standards.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with procurement to source new ingredients while managing costs.
• Work closely with marketing and sales teams to develop product positioning and branding.
• Assist in packaging development, ensuring compatibility with product stability and shelf life.

7. Cost Management & Profitability Optimization

• Evaluate ingredient costs and manufacturing expenses to optimize product margins.
• Identify process improvements that enhance efficiency without compromising product quality.
• Assist in setting competitive pricing strategies based on cost analysis and market trends.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's/masters degree in food technology, Dairy Technology, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in new product development within the ice cream or dairy industry.
• Strong knowledge of ice cream processing, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and ingredient interactions.
• Familiarity with sensory evaluation techniques and quality control processes.
• Experience in food safety regulations, labelling laws, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of product formulation, processing technologies, and ingredient functionality.
• Experience with regulatory compliance, food safety, and quality assurance.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.