Assistant Manager - RandD

Hector Beverages; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Hector Beverages Pvt. Ltd. in India is seeking a hands-on Assistant Manager – R&D to drive new product development from concept through scale‑up to commercialisation.

You will own formulation, trials, sensory evaluation, stability studies and collaboration across Marketing, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Packaging and Supply Chain to deliver innovative beverages. The role requires 3–4+ years in food & beverage R&D and a related degree.

Qualifications

• 3–4+ years hands-on R&D / NPD in food or beverages
• Beverage development experience is a strong advantage
• Preference for candidates from innovative, fast-moving F&B startups
• Must have managed complete NPD cycle – concept to commercialisation
• Strong understanding of ingredients, formulation, stability and manufacturing processes
• Entrepreneurial, experimental, hands-on product development approach
• 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 experience

NPD

Beverage development

Cross-functional PM

Project management

Ingredients formulation

Education

Food Tech/ 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.