NPD Head

Location: Bengaluru

New Product Development (NPD) Head

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

Location:

Bengaluru

Job Description

New Product Development & Innovation Strategy
Develop & Execute NPD

Roadmap:

Create and manage a robust product roadmap aligned with business strategy, market trends, and growth targets. Balance short-term launches (seasonal, tactical) with long-term innovation (platform development, category expansion).
Identify Market Opportunities:
Conduct market 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.
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 t 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 22000, organic, etc.).
Testing, Validation & Consumer Insight
Sensory & Consumer Testing:
Lead consumer tests, focus groups, taste panels, and quantitative surveys to validate 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, validated by third parties, and compliant with regulations (FSSAI, NIN guidelines).
4.Packaging & Go-to-Market 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-market plans including launch timeline, channel strategy, trade support, consumer marketing, and sales enablement. Coordinate with internal teams on launch execution.
Product Documentation:
Maintain comprehensive product documentation (formulations, process specs, SOP, allergen declarations, 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 innovation and continuous improvement.
Capability Development:
Identify knowledge gaps; drive training and skill development in food science, process technology, consumer research, and product innovation.

Requirments

Mandatory:
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
Preferred:
Master's 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 market
Managed P&L for NPD products; achieved margin and growth targets

Experience with product scaling from pilot to full manufacturing scale
Experience navigating food safety, regulatory compliance, and FSSAI approvals