Deputy General Manager - Mini Meals (Fixed Term Contract)

Tata Consumer Products; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Tata Consumer Products in Bengaluru seeks a seasoned Project Manager for Innovation and New Product Development. You will manage end-to-end development from concept to launch for high-complexity portfolios, ensuring on-time delivery within cost and quality targets.

Lead cross-functional teams, coordinate with operations, quality, and vendors; perform feasibility studies; define strategies; test prototypes with consumers; document specifications; and ensure regulatory and food-safety compliance

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science / Food Technology or related discipline.
• Creative product development experience (Breakfast cereals, Bakery, Confectionery) is desirable.
• Good understanding of sensory evaluation.
• Good understanding of packaging and its interactions with product safety and shelf life.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end development process from concept to launch with full visibility and traceability.
• Conduct technical feasibility studies and define development strategy (in-house/outsource/combination).
• Execute plans with prototypes tested by consumers against schedules.
• Document ingredient and product specifications and maintain records of bench-top, pilot plant and production trials.
• Ensure food safety and compliance with regulatory and corporate frameworks.
• Manage concurrent innovation projects at different stages within the NPD process.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Vendor management

Education

Degree in Food Science / Food Technology

Tools

Digital project management tools

Job description

What are the Key Deliverables in this role?

Manage the assigned innovation portfolio for high complexity portfolio (Mini Meals) and business support from concept validation to commercialization in accordance with stage gate management and ensure fulfilment of business case, project deliverables of time, cost, and quality to the requirements and expectations of key stakeholders.

Review project to understand Cost, schedules, potential issues and ensure effective on time communication of all projects related activities/plans and schedules with Internal/external stakeholders.

Customer Service

Horizon scanning for innovative ingredients and technologies.

Generate new ideas in relation to product/ technology platforms aligned with business priorities

Keep pace with emerging trends

Use own creativity to develop new ideas and concepts

Project categories will range from minor (e.g. flavor extension, Ingredients change) to major (e.g. disruptive innovation projects or creating new categories).

Coordinating within Cross functional teams (CFT) to ensure delivery as per agreed timelines.

As required, manage different vendors – ensuring the appropriate confidentiality.

Timely & Appropriate inputs for successfully resolving process / product issues at manufacturing locations.

Key person responsible for collaboration with operations/ quality and 3rd party to commercialize projects

Interacting with international NPD team to ensure knowledge share and application of common processes and systems.

Internal Processes

Managing the end-to-end development process from concept to launch, ensuring complete visibility and traceability of work, this involves: -

• Conducting technical feasibility studies.
• Defining development strategy – in home/outsource/ combination.
• Executing plan along with prototypes to be tested with the consumers against the project schedule/timelines.
• Documenting ingredient and product specifications, and keeping accurate records of all bench-top, pilot plant and production trials.

Managing food safety aspects of the development process and liaising with the Compliance team to ensure appropriate legal, regulatory, and corporate frameworks are adhered to.

Work within the budgetary constraints set for projects.

Management of concurrent innovation projects at different stages within the NPD process

Innovation and Learning

Good organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills.

Working knowledge of using digital platforms for project management

Problem-solving: Although project managers may step in to handle significant problems, you should be prepared to work through and resolve minor issues without assistance.

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential to work closely with team members and managers, and effectively manage problems as they occur.

Effective CFT management and collaboration/influencing skills- Managing several concurrent complex projects and rollouts.

What are the Critical success factors for the Role?

A degree in Food Science / Food Technology or other related discipline

Creative product development experience (related to Breakfast cereals, Bakery, Confectionery) and able to demonstrate a thorough understanding on formulation strategies and processing technologies.

Good understanding of sensory evaluation.

Good understanding of packaging and its interactions with product safety and acceptance through shelf life.

What are the Desirable success factors for the Role?

8-10 years of industry experience, out of which at least 4 years of experience of new product development projects.

Experience in managing and positively influencing internal customers (commercial).

Excellent project management, communication, and presentation skills.