Research And Development Manager

Happy to present an excellent opportunity with a growing spices & seasoning manufacturing

Position-  Head of R&D - snacks & seasonings

Reporting TO - Director - Innovation / chief Technical officer

Location:

Mumbai,

Experience:

Minimum 10+years

Working days -  5 days

Education - M.Tech / M.Sc in  Food Technology, Food Science, or related fields.

· 10–15 years of relevant experience in  R&D for snacks, dry seasoning blends, and savoury categories , preferably in  FMCG or food ingredient companies .

· Strong experience in  product commercialisation, flavor development, and scale-up processes .

The  Head of R&D – Snacks & Seasonings  will be responsible for leading the formulation, innovation, and commercialisation of  dry blends for snacks, savoury foods, QSR applications, and instant ready-to-eat products . This role demands a strong technical background in food science, hands-on experience with seasoning systems, and an understanding of flavour technology, processing, and product shelf life. The candidate will head a cross-functional team to develop commercially viable, regulatory-compliant, and consumer-driven products aligned with evolving food trends and business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1.  Product Innovation & Development

· Lead the  end-to-end development  of dry blends for:
o Extruded, fried, and baked snacks
o Savory products and condiments
o QSR and Ho Re Ca  applications (e.g., coatings, marinades, sprinkle blends)
o Instant RTE foods (noodles, pasta, rice, etc.)

· Leverage  global flavor trends, functional ingredients , and  process innovation  to create impactful new product lines.

· Conduct  lab trials, application testing, sensory evaluations, and shelf-life studies .
2.  Technical Leadership

· Supervise a team of  food technologists, culinary experts, and lab technicians (5–15 members) .

· Mentor the team on  flavor systems, dry blending techniques, stability, and scalability .

· Ensure comprehensive  documentation : formulations, process specs, SOPs, stability protocols, and test methods.
3.  Project Management

· Own the R&D project pipeline from ideation to launch.

· Work closely with  marketing, QA, manufacturing, and procurement  to ensure timely and successful commercialization.

· Prioritize projects based on  business impact, feasibility, and strategic direction .
4.  Quality, Compliance & Cost Optimization

· Reformulate products for  cost optimization  while maintaining taste and quality.

· Ensure strict compliance with  FSSAI, HACCP, ISO, and customer-specific standards .

· Maintain robust  quality assurance checks  for raw materials, in-process blends, and finished products.
5. Vendor & Ingredient Management

· Evaluate and approve  new ingredients, vendors, and co-manufacturing partners .

· Stay ahead of  ingredient innovations  in flavor carriers, seasoning enhancers, and clean-label solutions.

· Collaborate with suppliers for  customized ingredient solutions .

Team Management

· Lead, train, and develop a high-performing R&D team.

· Define team  KPIs and performance metrics .

· Encourage  collaboration, technical curiosity, and a culture of continuous innovation .

Key Skills &

Competencies:

· Deep knowledge of  snacks processing  (extrusion, frying, baking)

· Expertise in  dry blending , seasoning systems, and  powder technology

· Familiarity with  instant food and QSR flavor solutions

· Strong grasp of  sensory science  and  consumer preference mapping

· Proficiency in  regulatory compliance and technical documentation

· Strategic mindset with excellent  cross-functional collaboration and communication  skills