New Product Development Manager

Annapurna Universal Foods; Rajkot; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Annapurna Universal Foods in Rajkot, India invites an experienced NPD leader to drive new product development from concept to commercial launch. You will develop innovative food formulations aligned with market trends and consumer preferences.

Responsibilities include planning trials, evaluating raw materials, and coordinating with Production, QA, Marketing and Sales to ensure successful launches. Strong skills in sensory evaluation and cost optimization are required.

Qualifications

• Experience leading end-to-end NPD projects from concept to launch.
• Ability to develop innovative food formulations aligned with market trends.
• Plan and execute laboratory, pilot, and production trials.
• Strong skills in sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing.
• Knowledge of FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000 standards.
• Experience coordinating with cross-functional teams including QA, production, and marketing.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end NPD projects from concept to commercial launch.
• Develop and standardize formulations ensuring quality, taste, texture, cost optimization.
• Plan trials and coordinate with production, QA, and packaging teams.
• Conduct sensory evaluation and shelf-life studies.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (FSSAI, HACCP, GMP).
• Present new product concepts and commercialization plans to management.
• Lead and mentor the NPD team to achieve innovation and business objectives.

Skills

NPD

Product Formulation

Recipe Development

Food Product Development

R&D

Product Innovation

Pilot Trials

Process Optimization

Sensory Evaluation

Shelf-Life Study

Packaging Development

Cost Optimization

Food Safety

HACCP

FSSAI

GMP

ISO 22000

Cross-functional Coordination

Project Management

Job description

Role & responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) projects from concept to commercial launch.
• Develop innovative food products, recipes, and formulations in line with market trends and consumer preferences.
• Conduct product research, competitor benchmarking, and market analysis to identify new business opportunities.
• Develop and standardize product formulations while ensuring quality, taste, texture, and cost optimization.
• Plan and execute laboratory trials, pilot trials, and commercial production trials.
• Evaluate and approve raw materials, ingredients, and packaging materials for new product development.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality Assurance, Purchase, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Conduct sensory evaluation, shelf-life studies, and product stability testing.
• Optimize manufacturing processes to improve product quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, and other food safety regulations.
• Prepare product specifications, SOPs, process sheets, and technical documentation.
• Work closely with packaging vendors to develop suitable and cost-effective packaging solutions.
• Support cost reduction initiatives through ingredient and process optimization without compromising product quality.
• Monitor industry trends, consumer insights, and emerging technologies to drive innovation.
• Resolve product-related technical issues during commercial production.
• Present new product concepts, trial results, and commercialization plans to management.
• Lead and mentor the NPD team to achieve innovation and business objectives.

Preferred candidate profile

• Lead end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) projects from concept to commercial launch.
• Develop innovative food products, recipes, and formulations in line with market trends and consumer preferences.
• Conduct product research, competitor benchmarking, and market analysis to identify new business opportunities.
• Develop and standardize product formulations while ensuring quality, taste, texture, and cost optimization.
• Plan and execute laboratory trials, pilot trials, and commercial production trials.
• Evaluate and approve raw materials, ingredients, and packaging materials for new product development.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality Assurance, Purchase, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Conduct sensory evaluation, shelf-life studies, and product stability testing.
• Optimize manufacturing processes to improve product quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, and other food safety regulations.
• Prepare product specifications, SOPs, process sheets, and technical documentation.
• Work closely with packaging vendors to develop suitable and cost-effective packaging solutions.
• Support cost reduction initiatives through ingredient and process optimization without compromising product quality.
• Monitor industry trends, consumer insights, and emerging technologies to drive innovation.
• Resolve product-related technical issues during commercial production.
• Present new product concepts, trial results, and commercialization plans to management.
• Lead and mentor the NPD team to achieve innovation and business objectives.

Key Skills

• New Product Development (NPD)
• Product Formulation
• Recipe Development
• Food Product Development
• Research & Development (R&D)
• Product Innovation
• Product Commercialization
• Pilot Trials
• Process Optimization
• Raw Material Evaluation
• Sensory Evaluation
• Shelf-Life Study
• Packaging Development
• Product Validation
• Cost Optimization
• Food Safety
• HACCP
• FSSAI
• GMP
• ISO 22000
• Cross-functional Coordination
• Project Management

Preferred Industry

• Food Manufacturing
• Frozen Food
• FMCGSnacks
• Namkeen
• Ready-to-Eat (RTE)
• Ready-to-Cook (RTC)
• Bakery
• Dairy
• Confectionery
• Packaged Foods