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R&D Lead Local Brands

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Opella

On-site

Posted 22 hours ago • Apply by June 15, 2026

Job Description

Job title: R&D Lead Local Brands

Location: Mumbai

Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally.

Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting.

At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan.

B Corp certified in multiple markets, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com.

About The Job

The Research and Development Lead will be accountable for the end-to-end ideation to launch of innovation projects with a focus on the local brands in India in close collaboration with India Brand & Innovation leads. The incumbent will act as the R&D representative of science team within India and support the strategic direction of the brand & innovation team & allocate resources in India to prioritized innovation opportunities.

Main Responsibilities

Accountable to ideate, develop and deliver R&D pipeline for local brands to meet agreed innovation sales targets in line with brand strat plan.
Accountable to deliver portfolio for brands balancing short-, medium- & long-term R&D. projects that utilize claims, NPD, clinicals and packaging innovation with sustainability.
Accountable to ensure delivery of fewer, bigger innovation projects partnering with Brand and Innovation team to strengthen our projects through consumer-based insights.
Design and Deliver pipeline for local brands based on differentiated science.
Strong partnership with IPM to ensure execution on time and in budget.
Strong partnership with science team in India to ensure regulatory and medical strategies and directions be fully aligned and validated.
Strong partnership with development centers and external CDMOs to ensure the early engagement and contribution of DC team to the product design and product prototyping, and product development for launch.
Strong cross functional team work to ensure that innovation pipeline is delivered.
Accountable to ensure that all base business protection projects for local brands are identified and prioritized based on risk.
Ensure that a strong external technology network is being used to deliver & accelerate differentiated technology opportunities.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Science Head for AMEA/China Regions; India Brand and Innovation Heads/Leads; New Product Development (NPD) centers; Portfolio & PM, M&S including EM; Packaging Innovation, Science Hub India, Medical, Regulatory, Quality, legal/IP

About You

Experience: Total of 10+ yrs of experience Candidate looking for.

Education

Degree in Science or Higher degree (Ph.D.) or relevant Academic qualification is desirable.

Required Knowledge And/or Experience.

R&D or science innovation experience (at least 10 years) in pharmaceutical, FMCG, consumer healthcare and/or Nutritional industry is required.
Experience in drugs and health food innovation and new product development (at least 5 years) in the India market is a significant plus.
Strong science leader who can translate consumer insights into brand led pipelines.
Experience of R&D with proven track record delivering innovation to brands.
Experience in risk discussions and risk mitigation plans
Experience in developing integrated plans & budget for all innovation programs in the zone
Experience in identifying and leveraging external partnerships, suppliers, providers, key opinion leaders, etc., to influence innovation for the India local brands.
Experience in influencing and advising key stakeholders & the leadership team on industry trends and new opportunities for local brands.
Experience in E2E innovation, together with Project Managers, from ideation to launch of the innov. pipeline
Familiar with the scope of innovations: BD opportunities, NPD, claims with significant impact that need clinicals, novel ingredients & formulation technologies, sustainable solutions.
Knowledge and experience of understanding brand strategy, consumer insights, and translating consumer needs/problems into science solutions to build sustainable pipelines.
Knowledge of drug, health Food regulations within India
Ability to partner and influence across a matrix environment with strong communication skills.

Language Skills

Fluent spoken and written English

Cultural traits / P2W Behavior

Push to go beyond the level we have operated until now: constantly challenge the status quo focusing on the priorities that will deliver the best outcomes and letting go what won’t: be intolerant to mediocracy, believe we can and must do better and aim at higher but never at the expenses of our values and judgment.
Put the interest of the organization ahead of own of those of his/her team: consider both short- and long-term impact of decisions; puts collective and global goals above individual or local goals; share resources and capabilities with those with the greatest need and impact; enable decision making at appropriate level.
Act in the interest of our patients and customers and consumers: actively engage with customers and consumers to know their current and future needs; brings an external perspective into decisions.
Take action and don’t wait to be told what to do: take smart and informed best bets with the information at hand and anticipate the consequences of her/his actions; use personal judgement and others’ advice to make bold and impactful decisions which move us forward.
Role models our 4 values: teamwork, integrity, respect, courage.

Required Leadership Competencies

Business Acumen – Ability to effectively use economic, financial, market, stakeholder, and industry-specific indicators to fully understand and improve business results.
Judgement- The ability to draw logical conclusions based on acquired information and analytical rigor in problem-solving, the ability to make effective decisions even when information is ambiguous or incomplete.
Interpersonal relationships - treating others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
Personal Leadership - Personal leadership translates into courage, choice, and commitment through the pursuit of excellence, trust, and accountability. Ability to put patient, stakeholder, and organizational interests above personal interests.
Drive -Takes the lead and initiates activities with a high degree of passion and commitment as well as the drive, desire and need to achieve challenging goals, to improve performance or to meet personal standards of excellence.
Learning Agility – Ability to navigate first time/unfamiliar situations effectively by extrapolating from other areas of expertise and knowledge. Ability to continuously improve and develop self

KEY DIMENSIONS

As the R&D lead for the India local brands, the incumbent will support the strategic direction of innovation teams by providing strong science solutions & allocate resources in the zone to prioritized innovation opportunities

Why us?

At Opella, you will enjoy doing challenging, purposeful work, empowered to develop consumer brands with passion and creativity. This is your chance to grow new skills and be part of a bold, collaborative, and inclusive culture where people can thrive and be at their best every day.

We Are Challengers.

We Are Dedicated To Making Self-care As Simple As It Should Be. That Starts With Our Culture. We Are Challengers By Nature, And This Is How We Do Things

All In Together: We keep each other honest and have each other's backs.

Courageous: We break boundaries and take thoughtful risks with creativity.

Outcome-Obsessed: We are personally accountable, driving sustainable impact and results with integrity.

Radically Simple: We strive to make things simple for us and simple for consumers, as it should be.

Join us on our mission. Health. In your hands.

www.opella.com/en/careers