New Product Development (NPD) Manager – FMCG

Baidyanath; Kolkata District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Baidyanath invites an entrepreneurial New Product Development (NPD) Manager to lead consumer-centric product innovation from concept to launch in a fast-growing FMCG portfolio. You will shape category growth by coordinating R&D, packaging, sourcing, marketing and manufacturing teams, driving faster time-to-market and stronger shelf appeal.

The role rewards bold thinking, cross-functional leadership, and data-driven decision making, with scope to influence modern Indian consumer brands and build

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in FMCG product development.
• Experience in Food & Beverage, Ayurvedic/Herbal, Personal Care, Wellness/Nutrition categories.
• Strong understanding of FMCG consumer behaviour and product trends.
• Proven track record of launching successful products in the market.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end new product development from ideation to launch.
• Coordinate with R&D, sourcing, packaging, marketing, and manufacturing to bring products to market.
• Drive market research, trend analysis, and whitespace opportunities.
• Oversee packaging, branding, and consumer communication for go-to-market success.
• Manage cross-functional launch calendars, costing, quality, and scalability.

Skills

Product development

Project management

Packaging development

Vendor collaboration

Cross-functional leadership

Education

MBA / PGDM

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a dynamic and entrepreneurial New Product Development (NPD) Manager to lead the creation of innovative, market-winning products from concept to commercialization. This role is ideal for someone who understands consumer behaviour, spots trends before they become mainstream, and has the execution ability to turn ideas into successful FMCG products. This is not R&D profile.

The ideal candidate comes from a strong FMCG background with experience in product innovation, formulation coordination, packaging development, vendor collaboration, and cross-functional project management.

This is not just a product role — it is an opportunity to shape the future of a fast-growing consumer brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end new product development from ideation to launch.
• Identify emerging market trends, consumer insights, and whitespace opportunities.
• Develop innovative product concepts aligned with brand vision and business goals.
• Work closely with R&D, sourcing, packaging, marketing, and manufacturing teams to bring products to market efficiently.
• Conduct market research, competitor benchmarking, and trend analysis.
• Translate consumer needs into commercially viable products.
• Stay updated on global FMCG, wellness, Ayurvedic, personal care, food, and lifestyle trends.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate across departments to ensure timelines, costing, quality, and launch readiness are achieved.
• Manage product launch calendars and ensure smooth commercialization.
• Collaborate with marketing teams on positioning, claims, packaging communication, and go-to-market strategy.
• Work with third-party manufacturers, suppliers, and packaging vendors.
• Ensure product quality, compliance, and scalability.
• Support costing optimization without compromising product integrity.

Packaging & Brand Experience

• Lead packaging innovation with a strong understanding of shelf appeal and consumer psychology.
• Ensure packaging aligns with premium brand positioning and retail visibility.

Performance & Growth

• Monitor product performance post-launch and recommend improvements.
• Build a pipeline of future-ready products that drive business growth.

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• 5–10 years of experience in FMCG product development.
• Experience in categories such as:
• Food & Beverage
• Ayurvedic / Herbal Products
• Personal Care
• Wellness / Nutrition
• Consumer Goods
• Strong understanding of FMCG consumer behaviour and product trends.
• Proven track record of launching successful products in the market.
• Strong project management and execution capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially driven with creative thinking ability.
• Strong eye for packaging, branding, and consumer appeal.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Preferred

• MBA / PGDM preferred.
• Experience working with D2C brands is an advantage.
• Exposure to modern trade, e-commerce, and digital-first product launches is a plus.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Launching innovative, commercially successful products consistently.
• Creating products consumers genuinely love and repurchase.
• Building a strong innovation pipeline that keeps the brand ahead of the market.
• Bringing speed, creativity, and operational excellence into product development.

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to build products with real market impact.
• High ownership and entrepreneurial freedom.
• Work closely with leadership in shaping the next phase of growth.
• Fast-moving environment where ideas turn into reality quickly.
• Chance to create category-defining FMCG products for modern Indian consumers.

Role: New Product Development (NPD) Manager

Reporting To: Leadership Team / Business Head