New Product Development Manager – Food/FMCG

Job Title: New Product Development (NPD) Manager – Food/FMCG

Location: Ludhiana, Punjab (Relocation Required)

Experience: 4–8 Years

Function: R&D / Product Innovation

Role Overview:

The position is focused on leading the development of new food products across natural and health-oriented categories. The role involves complete ownership of the product lifecycle—from concept development and formulation to trials, scale-up, and final commercialization.

An established setup is already in place, including an in-house lab, existing product portfolio, and production capabilities. The objective is to strengthen and expand the product line through structured innovation and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Development & Formulation  

- Lead the end-to-end development of new food products, including honey-based and value-added variants  

- Design and optimize formulations with a focus on taste, texture, shelf life, and scalability  

- Ensure consistency, quality, and feasibility for large-scale production  

2. Innovation & Product Strategy  

- Analyze market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor products  

- Identify opportunities for new product categories, formats, and improvements  

- Contribute to expanding the overall product portfolio with differentiated offerings  

3. Trials, Testing & Scale-Up  

- Conduct laboratory trials and pilot batches to validate formulations  

- Collaborate with the production team to transition products from lab scale to commercial manufacturing  

- Address formulation and process-related challenges during scale-up  

4. Compliance & Quality  

- Ensure adherence to food safety and regulatory standards, including FSSAI guidelines  

- Maintain structured documentation for formulations, trials, and product specifications  

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration  

- Work closely with production, quality, procurement, and marketing teams  

- Support packaging decisions and product positioning from a technical perspective  

- Align product development activities with overall business objectives  

Candidate Profile:

- B.Tech / M.Tech in Food Technology or a related discipline  

- 4–8 years of experience in food/FMCG product development (NPD)  

- Strong hands-on experience in formulation, trials, and commercialization  

- Practical understanding of food safety regulations and manufacturing processes  

- Experience in launching products in the market will be an advantage  

Role Expectations:

- Strong execution capability with a structured approach to product development  

- Ability to translate concepts into commercially viable products  

- Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail  

- Capability to work in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment  

Scope of the Role:

This position is centered on product creation and innovation. It does not involve responsibilities related to sales, marketing, or routine quality control functions.

Why This Opportunity:

- Direct involvement in expanding a growing product portfolio  

- Opportunity to work on end-to-end product development  

- High visibility within the organization and contribution to business growth  

- Exposure to both innovation and commercialization aspects of FMCG products  

Summary:

• This role is suited for professionals with hands-on experience in food product development who can independently drive new product initiatives from concept to market readiness.