Head New Product Development

Job highlights

• Obtain required certifications (FSSC 2,organic,etc.)
• Mandatory: Bachelors degree in Food Science,Food Technology,Chemical Engineering,or related discipline
• Preferred: Masters degree in Food Technology,Dairy Technology,or Food Business Management
• Minimum 8-10 years
• Minimum 5+ years
• of experience in NPD / R&D / Product Development in FMCG food industry

New Product Development (NPD) Head

Company : GoDesi Mandi (FMCG - Indian Sweets & Snacks)

Location: Bengaluru

Job Description:

1. New Product Development & In ation Strategy

• Develop & Execute NPD Roadmap: Create and manage a robust product roadmap aligned with business strategy, ket trends, and growth targets. Balance short-term launches (seasonal, tactical) with long-term in ation (platform development, category expansion).
• Identify ket Opportunities: Conduct ket research, consumer trend analysis, and competitive intelligence to identify unmet consumer needs and growth opportunities in traditional sweets, healthy snacks, functional foods, and adjacent categories.
• Concept Development: Lead ideation workshops, evaluate new product concepts, and prioritize NPD projects based on strategic fit, commercial potential, technical feasibility, and risk assessment.

2. Product Formulation & Technical Development

• Formulation & Recipe Development: Lead or oversee development of product formulations, recipes, and process specifications that meet consumer taste/texture expectations, cost targets, and regulatory requirements. Work with food technologists and R&D specialists.
• Process Optimization: Identify optimal manufacturing processes, ingredient combinations, and processing parameters that ensure product consistency, quality, shelf stability, and manufacturability at scale.
• Cost Management: Develop products within target cost parameters; identify cost-reduction opportunities through ingredient sourcing, process efficiency, and packaging optimization; achieve 15-20% cost reduction targets where applicable.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure all products meet FSSAI/food safety standards, HACCP protocols, GMP requirements, and internal quality standards. Obtain required certifications (FSSC 2 , organic, etc.).

3.Testing, Validation & Consumer Insight

• Sensory & Consumer Testing: Lead consumer tests, focus groups, taste panels, and quantitative surveys to vali product concepts and inform product improvements. Ensure product resonates with target consumers.
• Shelf-Life & Stability Testing: Oversee accelerated shelf-life studies, microbial testing, and quality checks to ensure products maintain quality throughout the intended shelf life.
• Nutritional Validation: For functional/health-positioned products, ensure nutritional claims are substantiated, vali by third parties, and compliant with regulations (FSSAI, NIN guidelines).
• 4.Packaging & Go-to- ket Development
• Packaging Strategy: Define packaging requirements (material, size, design, messaging) that support product positioning, protect product quality, and align with consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Launch Readiness: Develop comprehensive go-to- ket plans including launch timeline, channel strategy, trade support, consumer keting, and sales enablement. Coordinate with internal teams on launch execution.
• Product Documentation: Maintain comprehensive product documentation (formulations, process specs, SOP, allergen larations, nutritional facts) for regulatory, quality, and training purposes.
• 5. Team Leadership & Capability Building
• Lead NPD Team: Manage and mentor a team of food technologists, product developers, and support staff. Set clear objectives, provide coaching, and foster a culture of in ation and continuous improvement.
• Capability Development: Identify knowledge gaps; drive training and skill development in food science, process technology, consumer research, and product in ation.

Requirments:

• Mandatory: Bachelors degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
• Preferred: Masters degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, or Food Business Management
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in NPD/R&D/Product Development in FMCG food industry
• Minimum 5+ years in a leadership/management role overseeing NPD teams and projects
• Successfully launched 8+ consumer food products from concept to ket
• Managed P&L for NPD products; achieved gin and growth targets
• Experience with product scaling from pilot to full manufacturing scale
• Experience navigating food safety, regulatory compliance, and FSSAI approvals