Senior Executive- New Product Development

Senior Executive – New Product Development (NPD)

Company: Mishtighar

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

Experience: Minimum 4+ Years

Employment Type: Full-time

Work Mode: Work From Office (WFO)

Working Days: 5 Days a Week

About Mishtighar

Mishtighar is an emerging FMCG and D2C brand focused on delivering quality food products and creating delightful consumer experiences. We are looking for an experienced and result-oriented professional to join our team as a Senior Executive – New Product Development, who will drive product innovation, develop new product offerings and contribute to the brand's growth in the competitive food and beverage market.

Role Overview

The Senior Executive – NPD will be responsible for conceptualising, developing and launching new products in line with consumer preferences, market trends and business objectives. The role will involve working closely with cross-functional teams, vendors, manufacturers and internal stakeholders to ensure successful product development, quality standards, cost optimisation and timely product launches.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Product Development & Innovation

• Identify new product opportunities based on market trends, consumer preferences and competitor analysis.
• Conceptualise and develop innovative food and beverage products aligned with the brand's vision and business strategy.
• Work on product formulation, ingredient selection, recipe development and product improvement.
• Conduct trials, sampling and sensory evaluations to finalise product specifications.
• Drive the complete product development lifecycle, from ideation and prototyping to commercialisation and launch.

2. Market Research & Consumer Insights

• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, consumer demands and product gaps.
• Analyse competitor products, pricing, packaging, positioning and market performance.
• Identify opportunities for product differentiation and portfolio expansion.
• Gather consumer feedback and translate insights into actionable product development initiatives.

3. Vendor & Manufacturing Coordination

• Identify, evaluate and coordinate with vendors, suppliers and third-party manufacturers.
• Coordinate product trials, pilot batches and commercial production.
• Ensure the availability and suitability of raw materials and packaging components.
• Work closely with manufacturing partners to ensure product consistency, scalability and cost efficiency.

4. Quality, Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure that developed products meet defined quality, taste, texture, shelf-life and safety parameters.
• Coordinate with quality teams to establish product specifications and quality benchmarks.
• Ensure adherence to applicable FSSAI regulations, food safety standards and labelling requirements.
• Maintain product development records, formulations, technical specifications and related documentation.

5. Costing & Commercialisation

• Prepare product costing and work towards achieving target margins.
• Evaluate raw material, packaging, manufacturing and logistics costs.
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure commercial viability before product launches.
• Monitor product performance post-launch and recommend improvements wherever required.

6. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with Marketing, Sales, Procurement, Operations, Quality and Supply Chain teams.
• Provide technical inputs for product positioning, packaging development and go-to-market planning.
• Ensure timely execution of product development and launch timelines.
• Track project milestones and provide regular updates to management.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Engineering, Dairy Technology or a related discipline.
• Minimum 4+ years of relevant experience in New Product Development within the FMCG industry, preferably in the Food & Beverage sector.
• Hands-on experience in product formulation, recipe development, product trials and commercialisation.
• Good understanding of food ingredients, processing techniques, shelf-life assessment and food safety standards.
• Knowledge of FSSAI regulations and food product labelling requirements.
• Experience in vendor coordination, product costing and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple product development projects and deliver within defined timelines.

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Candidates with prior experience in food processing, packaged foods, confectionery, bakery, dairy, snacks or other FMCG food categories will be preferred.
• Experience in launching products for D2C or consumer-facing food brands will be an added advantage.
• Should demonstrate a strong understanding of consumer behaviour, product innovation and commercial feasibility.
• Must be proactive, detail-oriented and comfortable working in a fast-paced business environment.

What We Are Looking For

An innovation-driven professional with a strong understanding of the food and FMCG industry, who can translate consumer insights into commercially viable products and contribute meaningfully to the growth and expansion of Mishtighar's product portfolio.