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.

1015 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 HoReCa 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 (515 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