Head of Food Technology & Operations

Location:  Surat (Gujarat), India

Employment Type : Full-Time (3-Month Contract, with potential extension)

Reports To: Founders / Chief Executive Officer

About the Organisation

The company is dedicated to developing next-generation plant-based nutrition and dairy-alternative products. They are committed to sustainability, nutrition-driven innovation, and high-quality production standards.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Head of Food Technology & Operations to oversee Food Technology, R&D, and production execution from concept to commercialization.

The candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s technical vision, building the manufacturing ecosystem, and driving product innovation across plant-based beverages and allied categories. The position combines leadership, hands-on execution, and strategic industry insight.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a senior member of the Executive Leadership Team, participating in long-term planning, facility development, and innovation strategy.
• Work closely with the founders to define the technological roadmap for product development and scale-up.
• Build and lead a high-performing R&D and Food Technology team, guiding hiring, capability building, and performance management.

2. Manufacturing Setup & Operational Execution

• Leverage industry experience and professional network to onboard reliable suppliers, machinery partners, consultants, and process experts.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory and food safety frameworks such as FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, ISO, and international standards (USFDA, EFSA, Codex, etc.).

3. Budget Oversight & Cost Optimisation

• Collaborate with finance and founders to monitor project budgets, installation costs, and operating expenses.
• Recommend efficient process designs, procurement strategies, and production models that maintain quality while optimising cost.

4. Product Development & Innovation Leadership

• Head the development of plant-based milks, flavoured beverages, protein/fortified drinks, creamers, tofu, and related products.
• Prior experience in plant-based dairy is beneficial; strong backgrounds in RTD beverages, dairy, or functional foods are equally valued.
• Drive pilot trials, sensory evaluations, formulation improvements, shelf-life enhancement, and commercial-scale production.

5. Business & Market Enablement

• Use existing industry relationships to support B2B partnerships, co-manufacturing deals, and distribution agreements.
• Provide technical expertise during customer discussions, especially for contract manufacturing and export clients.
• Ensure product development is aligned with commercial goals, pricing realities, and market demand.

6. Export Readiness & Compliance

• Oversee adherence to international standards, documentation, and certification requirements to ensure export viability.
• Engage with regulatory agencies, certification bodies, and industry associations for continuous compliance and smooth global market entry.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s / Ph.D. in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Food Science, or related field
• 15+ years of experience in food technology with significant exposure to RTD beverages, dairy, or functional/fortified products.
• Prior experience in factory setup, process design, or new product launches is highly desirable.
• Experience with international food safety regulations and export readiness.
• Strong industry network with contacts among machinery vendors, raw material suppliers, and potential B2B buyers.
• Strong expertise in formulations for RTD beverages, functional nutrition, proteins, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and fermentation processes.
• Commercially aware, capable of aligning technical R&D with market and business goals.