Assistant Manager - R&D, Culinary Foods

Financial Outcomes

• Drive and execute the new product development ideas in the pipeline to support for the Foods Categories focused on RTE/ RTC for Tata Sampann, Tata Raasa, S&J, Chings etc. and emerging new value-added categories in both B2B and B2C businesses at TCPL.
• Lead the NPD strategy for Foods RTE business and ensure robust product pipeline under the supervision of vertical lead which would help to increase the overall RTE B2B & B2C category revenue
• Lead the cost innovation projects for the RTE category to achieve the target cost saving initiatives and outcomes

Customer Service

• Lead the product and process development for Ready to Eat Foods as per provided product briefs by business teams
• Support product cost improvement projects by identifying opportunities in the current business and thereby improving the margins and the company bottom line.
• Identify new vendors and develop / adapt new technologies, materials and processes as part of development initiatives.
• Liaise with cross functional teams for effective executions project work tracks
• Responsible for delivering all technical aspects of the process/ technology lead initiatives for Foods category & related projects, meeting the targets on timeline, cost, business expectations and consumer acceptance.
• Create product and process specifications including the Technology transfer document/ manufacturing protocol on the prescribed templates/ Specification Management System

Internal Processes

• Lead NPD strategy of RTE Foods to enable delivering incremental revenues through product and process innovations, drive efficiencies and simplifications.
• Be an expert user on R&D processes & systems, Specification management tool (PLM) and Sensory management tool (Red jade), Vega 2.0 etc.
• Key lead to commercialize projects with marketing /operations/ quality and 3rd party
• Interact with stakeholders in Compliance and Analytical to ensure regulatory requirements are met and required documentation made in the Specification Management System.
• Monitor and report on industry trends and innovations for inclusion in the innovation funnel
• Assessment of ingredient and packaging trends and advise implications and opportunities to the business.
• Adhere to Internal processes and procedures and ensuring proper technical documentation (RM specs/FG specs/Trial protocol & reports) of all the technical work carried out

Innovation and Learning

• Keep up to date with food & drinks trends, technology landscape, competitor development and consumer and customer expectations
• Generate new ideas in relation to process/ technology platforms aligned with business priorities
• General upkeep of the NPD laboratory, Storage areas and Pilot plant with assistance, wherever required
• Management of temporary resources and lab attendants, wherever required

What are the Critical success factors for the Role?

• Master’s in food science and technology / food engineering from a reputed institute.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in Foods R&D in Top FMCG organizations.
• Experience in development of RTE/RTC category is highly desirable mainly in gravies and sauces, pasta, noodles, Indian flat breads, mayonnaise, rice-based products etc. for domestic as well as export markets like Europe, USA, Canada, Australia etc.
• Candidates with experience in thermally processed foods like technologies like retort and MATS technology will be added advantage.

What are the Desirable success factors for the Role?

• Creative product/ process development experience and able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of product and process concepts through product prototypes, process flows,
• Exposure to various thermal processing technologies like retort processing, MATS processing, Canning will be an added advantage
• Good understanding of product development, processing technology, packaging and its interactions with product safety and acceptance
• Good understanding of B2B and B2C businesses with customer first approach
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail and ability to multi-task and work with agility
• Experience in managing and positively influencing internal stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills