Associate Manager - Product Development - Spices (3-5 yrs)

Diversity Role: Only FEMALE candidate apply.

1. Purpose of the role:

The purpose of this role is to lead the development of new spice & seasoning products, reverse engineer competitive market products, and enhance existing offerings by leveraging research methodologies and sensory analysis. The role ensures all products align with current industry trends and meet the specific quality, regulatory and cost targets set by customers in the company's target market region.

2. Product Development:

a. The incumbent is expected to have hands on experience of 3-5 years in the field of spices, blended spices & seasonings products development.

b. Knowledge of spice & Seasoning industry with strong understanding of ingredients, additives is must have.

c. Should have contemporary knowledge on current developments, trends of the spices & seasonings category.

d. Drive innovations and work with marketing team for new products & reverse engineering of fore runner spice products in the market.

e. In addition to the projects proposed by the business team, proactively propose and drive projects to augment the product library in consultation with PD HOD/Team Lead.

f. Undertakes projects to improve the quality and to reduce the cost of existing products time to time keep the renovation pipeline strong.

g. Work closely with business team/Sales team and support them in technical sales as and when it is required by participating in technical discussions & product demos.

h. Monitor, maintain sufficient RM and ingredient stock at all times to support the iterations during product development.

i. Watch the market trends and search for new additives, ingredients which add value to the quality and cost.

j. Develop and maintain the vendor database for specialty ingredients and constantly look for alternate vendors to maintain sufficient backup.

k. Co-ordinate with manufacturing team for scale up of the products and should have thorough knowledge on equipment used, manufacturing process of spices & seasoning products.

l. Should possess basic understanding on the local & global regulations related to the spices & seasonings category.

3. Project Management:

a. The resource is responsible for end to end delivery of projects and custodian for stage gate PD Process.

b. Point of contact in PD for business team to submit Project Brief and discuss on the project kickoff, project brief processing.

c. He/she in consultation with PD HOD/TEAM LEAD, will execute projects in adherence to the project brief & PD strategy.

d. Closely work with PD HOD/TEAM LEAD to seek clarity, guidance during the product life cycle on each project.

e. She will monitor, track, alert and escalate any issues or delays in running project or meeting action points to ensure PD projects and supporting assignments are delivered on time.

f. She will maintain, update and circulate the PD Dashboard with all the stakeholders at a defined frequency.

4. Influencing & Relationships:

a. Champions R&D effectiveness framework and drives teamwork culture and alignment of goals.

b. Maintains & Pursues collaborations closely with all the stake holders and senior level leadership.

c. The resource will support the PD HOD/TEAM LEAD in annual planning, giving unbiased process improvement inputs to aid the PD strategy development process.

d. Responsible for coaching, guiding the trainees/interns in their assignments and direct them for logical completion of the projects.