R&D Manager (PSS06013)

About the client: PSS has been mandated to hire an R&D Manager for a well-known Indian ethnic foods brand.

Job Purpose: 

• Develop new products from concept to commercialization while adhering to R&D processes (Ideation, Prototype, Lab Trial, Commercial Trial & Shelf Life Study).
• Evaluate new products developed through interaction with focus group discussions, product managers, and export managers; make changes to the recipe if necessary.
• Document recipes, processes, specifications (RM & FG), and HACCP.
• Enter BOMs in the EBS system for new and modified products.
• Modify existing products to meet customer requirements and competition while maintaining costs.
• Conduct market research and trend analysis to identify consumer preferences, market opportunities, and competitive landscape.
• Stay updated on regulatory requirements (domestic & international markets) and develop products accordingly.
• Collaborate with suppliers, vendors, and external partners to source new ingredients, technologies, and processes.
• Identify substitutes for raw materials and modify existing production processes to reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
• Communicate R&D updates, project status, and key findings to senior management and cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

Planning:

• Interact with marketing, sales, and export departments to identify new products that meet consumer/customer requirements and competition.
• Develop project timelines, milestones, and deliverables; track progress and adjust plans as necessary.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in relevant food technology in domestic and international markets.

Operation:

• Monitor product yields/wastages.
• Review HACCP.
• Conduct sensory evaluation of manufactured and outsourced products as scheduled.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, food safety regulations, and industry best practices.
• Implement quality control measures and protocols to maintain product consistency and integrity.
• Handle customer complaints and conduct root cause analysis.
• Audit production processes and make changes/improvements where applicable.
• Perform periodic stock inspections, process inspections, and process validations.
• Evaluate new products with product managers and make changes to the recipe if necessary.
• Review and finalize new and modified recipes and processes after satisfactory trial runs and test marketing; ensure documentation of recipes and production processes.
• Interact with the production department to conduct trial runs for new/modified products/processes as scheduled and modify recipes/production processes where necessary.
• Ensure periodic inspection of stored products to prevent spoilage, identify methods for salvaging spoiled products if any, and modify recipes/processes to prevent recurrence of problems.
• Analyze cost implications of new product formulations, ingredients, and processes to ensure profitability.
• Interact with the purchasing department for raw material prices and identify substitute materials to reduce the cost of the final product.
• Identify and select processes/process equipment.
• Visit outsourced product locations and conduct audits.

Training:

• Provide shop floor and classroom training to staff at factories.
• Provide product insights/categories to the marketing/sales department when required.
• Stay updated on regulatory changes and industry standards related to food safety, labelling, and nutritional guidelines.

Team Development:

• Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages creativity, learning, and growth.