We're Hiring | Freelance Food R&D; Consultant

Company: Shelf Theory LLP

Position: Senior Food R&D; Consultant / Product Development Specialist

Engagement Type: Freelance / Project-Based / Contract

Experience Required: Minimum 5 years in Food Research & Development

Location: Pune / Hybrid / Remote (with on-site availability for trials as required)

Compensation: Project-based, depending on experience, scope and deliverables.

About Shelf Theory

Shelf Theory is a food innovation and product development consultancy specialising in end-to-end food product development, formulation, process optimisation, regulatory compliance, and commercialisation.

We collaborate with food startups, emerging brands, and established businesses to transform innovative food concepts into technically feasible, scalable, and market-ready products.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced, technically strong, and hands-on Food R&D; Consultant to collaborate with our team on a freelance or project basis.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in food formulation, ingredient functionality, product development, and process optimisation, with the ability to independently plan and execute formulation trials.

We are particularly interested in professionals who can solve complex formulation challenges, develop commercially viable products, and provide practical technical guidance throughout the development process.

Key Responsibilities

1. Food Product Development & Formulation

- Independently develop and optimise food product formulations based on client requirements.
- Conduct formulation trials, ingredient screening, and prototype development.
- Understand ingredient functionality, interactions, processing behaviour, and their impact on final product quality.
- Develop products with specific nutritional and functional requirements, including high-protein, high-fibre, clean-label, gluten-free, and better-for-you formulations.
- Optimise products for taste, texture, appearance, nutritional composition, stability, and cost.

2. Research, Experimentation & Troubleshooting

- Plan and execute systematic R&D; trials with measurable objectives.
- Identify and resolve formulation challenges involving texture, flavour, stability, moisture, processing, and shelf life.
- Research alternative ingredients, processing techniques, and emerging food technologies.




- Evaluate the technical feasibility and commercial potential of new product concepts.
- Apply scientific knowledge to improve existing products and develop innovative formulations.

3. Process Development & Commercialisation

- Develop and standardise manufacturing processes for food products.
- Support laboratory-to-pilot-scale and commercial-scale product development.
- Identify suitable processing methods, equipment requirements, and manufacturing parameters.
- Assist with raw material selection, supplier coordination, and contract manufacturing feasibility.
- Support process optimisation to improve consistency, production efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

4. Quality, Food Safety & Documentation

- Prepare detailed formulation sheets, trial reports, and technical documentation.
- Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), product specifications, and manufacturing process guidelines.
- Demonstrate a working understanding of GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality control requirements.
- Support shelf-life assessment, product stability evaluation, and sensory testing.
- Collaborate with regulatory and quality teams to ensure formulations are commercially and legally feasible.

5. Project-Based Collaboration

- Work closely with Shelf Theory's internal R&D; team on assigned client projects.
- Independently manage technical deliverables and agreed development timelines.
- Participate in technical discussions, formulation reviews, and project meetings.
- Maintain confidentiality of client formulations, proprietary information, and development processes.
- Provide practical recommendations to improve product quality, technical feasibility, and commercial readiness.

Required Qualifications & Experience

- Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in Food Research & Development or Food Product Development.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience independently developing and optimising food product formulations.




- Strong technical understanding of food ingredients, functionality, food chemistry, processing technologies, and formulation principles.
- Practical experience conducting laboratory and pilot-scale trials.
- Experience in product troubleshooting, formulation standardisation, and process optimisation.
- Understanding of food safety, quality assurance, shelf-life considerations, and relevant FSSAI regulations.
- Ability to maintain accurate technical documentation and communicate development findings.
- Solid analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Preferred Experience

Should have Experience in the below

- Functional foods and nutraceutical products
- Protein-enriched and fibre-enriched foods
- Healthy snacks, bars, chips, and extruded products
- Ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) products
- Functional beverages and instant beverage premixes
- Bakery, confectionery, and cereal-based products
- Seasoning, flavour, and taste optimisation
- Clean-label and plant-based formulations

Engagement Structure

This is a freelance, project-based consulting opportunity, rather than a full-time employment position.

- Projects will be assigned based on the consultant's technical expertise and availability.
- Scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and professional fees will be mutually agreed upon before commencement.
- Consultants must be available for formulation trials, technical reviews, and necessary project discussions.
- Opportunities for ongoing collaboration across multiple product development projects.
- Confidentiality and intellectual property agreements will apply to client projects.

How to Apply

Interested professionals are invited to share:

- Updated CV or professional profile.
- Summary of food R&D; and formulation experience.
- Product categories and types of projects previously handled.
- Examples of successfully developed or commercialised products (excluding confidential information).
- Current location, availability, and preferred consulting arrangement.

Apply to: Shelf Theory LLP

Subject: Application – Freelance Food R&D; Consultant

Join Shelf Theory and collaborate with us in developing innovative, scientifically sound, and commercially successful food products.

Pay: ₹10,000.00 - ₹41,000.00 per month

Work Location: Remote

📌 Food Technologist (India)
🏢 Shelf Theory Food Lab
📍 India