Assistant Manager - Food Technologist

Essar Oil; Mumbai; On-site; INR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Essar Oil in Mumbai seeks a skilled professional in product innovation and development focused on food processing, clean-label FMCG, and D2C health brands. You will develop new product formulations like juices, soups, and healthy snacks, ensuring compliance and collaboration with different teams.

The ideal candidate should have a B.Tech/M.Tech in Food Technology and significant experience in food processing techniques and trial management.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of food processing techniques including retort, IQF, HPP.
• Familiarity with clean-label formulation and functional ingredients.
• Ability to manage multiple trials and projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Develop new product formulations aligned to brand vision.
• Own lab and pilot trials, shelf-life studies, and texture optimization.
• Source and onboard vendors for ingredients and materials.
• Ensure FSSAI compliance for all developed SKUs.
• Liaise with brand, design, and sales teams for product alignment.

Skills

Food processing techniques

Clean-label formulation

Trial management

Costing and yield optimization

Coordination skills

Education

B.Tech / M.Tech in Food Technology / Food Science

Job description

Location & Experience

Location: Mumbai

Experience: 2–5 years

Industry Preference: Food Processing, Clean-Label FMCG, D2C Health Brands

Education: B.Tech / M.Tech in Food Technology / Food Science / Culinary Schools with interest in mass production

Key Responsibilities

• Product Innovation & Development

  Develop new product formulations aligned to brand vision — juices, soups, snacks, smoothies, frozen, healthy snacking.

  Translate consumer needs and trends into differentiated clean-label product ideas.

  Run competitor benchmarking and ingredient research for new concept feasibility.

• Food Technology & Trial Execution

  Own lab and pilot trials, shelf‑life studies, and texture/taste optimization.

  Work closely with chefs, nutritionists, and vendors for culinary and functional balance.

  Lead documentation of BOMs, SOPs, yield, nutritional information, and production readiness.

  Troubleshoot issues related to processing, storage, preservation, and scalability.

• Vendor & Ingredient Coordination

  Source and onboard vendors for functional ingredients, packaging materials, and co‑packers.

  Negotiate and align timelines, MOQs, and quality specs.

  Ensure test runs are executed efficiently with measurable outcomes.

• Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

  Ensure 100% FSSAI compliance for all developed SKUs including labeling, shelf life, and nutritional claims.

  Coordinate with labs for nutritional, microbiological, and heavy metal testing.

  Support documentation required for audits, licensing, and packaging approvals.

• Cross‑functional Collaboration

  Liaise with brand, design, and sales teams to ensure product alignment with marketing claims and go‑to‑market strategies.

  Support marketing with inputs for storytelling, ingredient claims, and innovation messaging.

  Ensure innovation timelines are met with rapid prototyping and commercial readiness.

Must‑Have Skills

• Deep knowledge of food processing techniques — retort, IQF, HPP, dehydration, pasteurization.
• Familiarity with clean‑label formulation, functional ingredients, and wellness trends.
• Strong ability to manage multiple trials and projects simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of costing, yield optimization, and ingredient functionality.
• Excellent coordination and execution mindset in a fast‑paced setup.