Assistant Manager - R&D

Hector Beverages; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 650,000 - 950,000; Full time

Job summary

Hector Beverages Pvt. Ltd. invites an experienced hands-on R&D professional to drive new product development from concept through scale-up and commercialisation for beverage and food lines.

The role requires 3-4+ years of R&D/NPD experience in FMCG, with a focus on beverages. You will lead formulations, trials, and collaboration with Marketing, Manufacturing and Supply Chain to ensure timely launches.

Qualifications

• 3-4+ years of hands-on R&D / NPD experience in food or beverages.
• Beverage development experience would be a strong advantage.
• Preference for candidates from innovative, fast-moving F&B companies/startups.
• Should have personally handled the complete NPD cycle – concept → formulation → trials → scale-up → commercialisation.
• Strong understanding of ingredients, formulation, product stability and manufacturing processes.
• Entrepreneurial, experimental and hands-on approach to product development.
• Strong cross-functional coordination and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop new food/beverage products from scratch to commercial launch.
• Own formulation, prototyping, sensory evaluation, stability studies and product optimisation.
• Conduct lab, pilot and plant trials and manage scale-up for commercial production.
• Explore new ingredients, flavours, formats and emerging consumer trends.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Packaging and Supply Chain for timely launches.
• Work with ingredient/flavour suppliers and external partners on product development.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing challenges.
• Improve existing products for taste, nutrition, quality and cost.

Skills

R&D execution

NPD from concept to launch

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Food Technology

Food Science

Dairy Technology

Biotechnology

Job description

About Hector Beverages Pvt. Ltd.

Established in 2010 in India, Hector Beverages rose to prominence with its signature brand, the Paper Boat, a ready-to-drink beverage that encapsulates the essence of traditional Indian flavors. The inception of Hector Beverages was driven by the founders' vision to bridge the market void for traditional Indian drinks and to present the world with a taste of India's rich cultural beverages.

L ocation

Headquartered in Whitefield, Bengaluru.

Current Standings

Over the past decade, Hector Beverages has expanded its product line to include fruit juices, coconut water, and iconic Indian beverages such as Aam panna and Jal-jeera and foods & dry fruits which includes products such as Chikki, Aam Papad, range of raw, roasted, and flavored dry fruits that includes mix of nuts, berries & seeds. The brand is synonymous with distinctive flavors and premium ingredients. Furthermore, the firm's commitment to quality and innovation is evidenced by its extensive infrastructure of nine dedicated factories (and counting) for Paper Boat products, providing direct employment to approximately 900 individuals and indirect employment to another 2000.

Organizational Culture

At its core, Hector Beverages thrives on a culture rooted in innovation, creativity, and collaboration. The company's flat organizational structure promotes open dialogue, empowering employees to lead their projects passionately. Hector Beverages is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need. The organization is dedicated to fostering high-performing teams. Moreover, the culture of celebrating both minor and major achievements, nurture a motivated and committed workforce, driving exponential growth.

Important Details About The Role

Designation: Assistant Manager

Function: Research & Development

Sub-function: NA

Reporting Manager: Chief R&D Officer

Travel Need: As per requirement

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Manesar, Haryana

Team Size: NA

Experience

• 3-4+ years
• Industry: Food & Beverage / FMCG
• Preferred Background: Innovative, new-age food & beverage companies/startups

Role

We are looking for a hands-on Assistant Manager - R&D who can drive new product development from concept and formulation through scale-up and commercialisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new food/beverage products from scratch to commercial launch.
• Own formulation, prototyping, sensory evaluation, stability studies and productoptimisation.
• Conduct lab, pilot and plant trials and manage scale-up for commercial production.
• Explore new ingredients, flavours, formats and emerging consumer trends.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Packaging and Supply Chain for timely launches.
• Work with ingredient/flavour suppliers and external partners on product development.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing challenges.
• Improve existing products for taste, nutrition, quality and cost.

Candidate Profile

• 3-4+ years of hands-on R&D / NPD experience in food or beverages.
• Beverage development experience would be a strong advantage.
• Preference for candidates from innovative, fast-moving, new-age F&B companies/startups
• Should have personally handled the complete NPD cycle – concept →formulation → trials → scale-up → commercialisation.
• Strong understanding of ingredients, formulation, product stability and manufacturing processes
• Entrepreneurial, experimental and hands-on approach to product development.
• Strong cross-functional coordination and project management skills

Education

• Degree/Postgraduate qualification in Food Technology, Food Science, DairyTechnology, Biotechnology or a related field.
• Candidates from NIFTEM, CFTRI or other premier Food Technology/FoodScience institutes will be preferred.