Lead Scientist

Zoho; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with incentives

Healthcare benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Pakka Ltd. is seeking a seasoned R&D professional to develop and commercialize sustainable flexible packaging films and substrates in Bengaluru. You will lead lab-to-pilot scale projects, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive innovations with cross-functional teams.

The role offers a competitive salary with incentives, healthcare benefits, and ample opportunities for professional development within a state-of-the-art R&D setup.

Qualifications

• Strong R&D profile with product-development track record.
• Experience in sustainable materials and circular economy.
• Regulatory compliance and IP generation experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop sustainable barrier films and substrates for high-barrier performance.
• Lead pilot-to-commercial scale, overseeing coating, lamination, and sealability tests.
• Establish barrier testing protocols and shelf-life assessments.
• Benchmark innovations against market alternatives and align with business strategy.
• Support commercialization with cost models, demos, and client engagements.
• Drive collaborations with converters, brands, and institutes.
• Lead circularity initiatives to replace plastics with compostable solutions.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Fiber science

Coatings

Flexible packaging

Education

Master's/PhD in Materials Science / Polymer Science

Job description

At Pakka Ltd, we are committed to sustainable innovation, creating eco-friendly packing solutions that align with the needs of modern businesses. With over 40 years of manufacturing excellence and a strong R&D foundation, we have been revolutionizing in three major segments, namely Wrap & Carry, Food Services & Flexible packaging. Join us to shape the future of packaging and make a meaningful impact.

Mission of the Role

Develop and commercialize sustainable flexible packaging films and substrates that provide high-barrier performance while eliminating plastic dependency.

Key Responsibilities

1. Create advanced barrier solutions delivering moisture, oxygen, and aroma protection while replacing metallized films through sustainable coatings, ensuring full regulatory and food-contact compliance.

2. Drive innovation in substrates including paper, bio-based polymers, and molded fiber to enhance printability, machinability, and morphology, exploring hybrid and multilayer structures for performance optimization.

3. Lead pilot trials and scale-up programs from lab to pilot stage, overseeing coating, lamination, and sealability tests to validate manufacturability and readiness for commercial production.

4. Establish and execute barrier testing protocols, shelf-life assessments, and performance benchmarks while validating machinability on form-fill-seal (FFS) lines.

5. Benchmark new developments against existing market alternatives, identify high-value segments, validate solutions with converters and brands, and align innovative outcomes with overall business strategy.

6. Support commercialization by developing cost models, enabling product certifications, assisting in demos and client engagements, and building partnerships with converters, FMCG brands, startups, and institutes while mentoring R&D teams.

7. Drive patentable innovations and ensure compliance with evolving sustainability, compostability, and food-contact standards while leading circularity initiatives that reduce resource use and replace plastics with compostable solutions.

Qualifications

Master’s or Ph.D. in one of the following:

• Materials Science / Fiber Science / Polymer Science
• Chemical Engineering / Pulp & Paper Technology
• Related disciplines with strong R&D focus

Experience

• 5 to 8 years of R&D experience with a strong product-development track record.
• Proven track record in product development, pilot-to-commercial scale, and cross-functional leadership.
• Experience in sustainable materials, packaging innovations, circular economy, or chemical formulations.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, IP generation, and commercialization of technical solutions.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and ability to translate innovation into business impact.
• Expertise across fiber science, coatings, flexible packaging, molded fiber, and waste valorization.
• Excellent stakeholder management, collaboration, and communication skills

What We Offer

This role offers the opportunity to lead innovative sustainable packaging solutions within an innovation-focused work culture, supported by state-of-the-art R&D facilities and resources. You will enjoy a competitive salary with performance-based incentives, comprehensive healthcare benefits, and a strong focus on work-life balance. The position also provides ample professional development opportunities to help you grow and excel in your career.

Join us to shape the future of sustainable packaging!