Job Title : R&D; Manager

Reports to: General Manager R&D;

Qualifications

Graduate/ Post Graduate in Food Science/ Technology, Microbiology, Chemical or Process Engineer or any related field.

Experience

Minimum 5 years at Assistant Manager level or equivalent in R&D; having exposure on Frozen Foods, Ready to Eat, Snacks and Baking.

Experience & Technical Know How in Frozen Food industry will be desirable.

Requisite multi product technology and multi location/ cultural experience (Production, Quality etc.)

Main Purpose of Job

Ensure the business needs for Innovation & Renovation planned are in time & flawlessly executed.

Lead, coach and develop the R&D; team in order to significantly contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives of the Company.

Be the technical contact point between the market, customers, consumers and other external agencies.

Be the contact point between Customers, Top Management and Factory for Innovation & Renovation. Provide technical assistance to factory.

Main Responsibilities / Job Summary

1. Lead definition and implementation of Innovation & Renovation projects, in line with Business plan, in factory.
2. Closely work with Chefs, Sales and Customers to align industrial feasibility, during early stage of product development, close to expected innovative solution sought by Top Management/ Customer.
3. Ensure products in agreement with Customers and Top Management are properly communicated & necessary approval taken, before commercial production. Ensure all Regulatory and Food Safety compliance aspects are met for the existing and new products.
4. Support and achieve cost optimization in recipes from Raw/ Packaging material substitution as well as recipe / process changes in factory.
5. Follow-up projects on regular basis by defining responsibilities for product & packaging and guide team, if necessary.
6. Proactively work on the innovative ideas & be ahead of the competition. Watch market trends closely,



particularly when competitor coming with new packaging or product and make renovation plan to protect the brands.
7. Collaborate with Sales, Purchase, QA, Production & Engineering team on the current requirements.
8. Actively lead in new ingredient/ new vendor development or equipment suppliers selection / development, keeping in view future requirements.
9. Assist factory on technical matters on the product and process concerned. Help factories to resolve issues affecting product safety/ quality.
10. Network with Vendors and Customers of different markets to have an update on current developments and also facilitate best practices.

Participate in Food/ Packaging EXPOs to keep upbeat with latest technologies and to improve networks.
1. Maintain database of technical information of all the existing products in the portfolio & of competitors products (as possible). Ensure correct BOM in SAP as per recipe.
2. Support Sales, QA or Consumer services team with technical details/solutions to handle consumer complaints more efficiently.
3. Coordinate for Purchase and Startup of new manufacturing machines. Establish operational parameters & lead the trials until product manufacturing and release & follow up.
4. Compile all nutritional data and ensure labeling requirements for all new products are in line with respective country/ global requirements.
5. Ensure shelf life validation of new products as per customer requirement. Monitor consumer complaints related to product quality and make required corrective actions in Product, Process or Packaging, as deemed necessary.
6.



Participate & guide Sensory panel on the new Raw Material/ alternate RM, new products and ensure QA team is trained on the Sensory attributes of recent RMs and Products.

Ensure compliance

1. Ensure that all development work is done, complying to internal & external regulations / instructions of respective country/ customer.
2. Ensure complete agreement and approval from Customers and Top Management before commercial run.
3. Ensure regulatory compliance of new products related to product labeling and of existing products for any regulatory updation.
4. Ensure work place safety and effective communication of Safety, Health and Environment to all team members.

Develop people

1. Establish SMART objectives, develop, coach and appraise direct reports.
2. Ensure Team members are trained and updated on required skills and knowledge.
3. Define, together with production, technical training requirements for shop floor people and organize the training sessions.
4. Develop & train R&D; people on the regulatory, food safety, quality, packaging and latest technological developments in market.

KPIs & Dimensions Timely launch of new products.

Implementation of projects according in line with savings and timing proposed

First time release of New product by Management

SHE: Achievement of all agreed Safety and Environment performance KPIs in his /her area of responsibility.

Ensure timely SAP data to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing.

Ensure no Regulatory issues with respect to product recipe, specifications, labeling etc.

Ensure no serious consumer complaints related to Food safety or quality by design of product and manufacturing.

Technical / Functional

Good know how of ingredients / processes and technologies involved in Frozen Foods, Ready to Eat, Snacks and Baking.

Good Know how on FDA, EU & FSSAI regulations and know how in SAP.

Good commercial & operational understanding, - Financial, Marketing and Consumers.

📌 Research And Development Manager (Kochi)
🏢 Parayil Food Products
📍 Kochi