Principal Scientist - Foods

Dabur India Limited; Ghaziabad District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Dabur India Limited is seeking a senior R&D professional in the fruit juice/beverages domain. You will spearhead new product formulations, manage end-to-end development from concept to commercialization, and ensure regulatory compliance and packaging safety across markets.

The role requires 8+ years in FMCG R&D, a Master’s in Food Technology, and strong English communication. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver consumer‑oriented innovations with commercial impact.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Food Technology from a reputed institute.
• 8+ years FMCG experience with R&D background in beverages is preferred.
• Strong communication skills in English and ability to present to cross-functional teams.
• Commercial mindset with strategic thinking and drive for results.
• Experience in leading business excellence and cross-functional collaboration.
• Good understanding of R&D processes, regulatory requirements, and packaging interactions.

Responsibilities

• Ideate and create new product formulations as per consumer needs and briefs.
• Manage end-to-end development from concept to commercialization with traceability.
• Conduct technical feasibility studies and define development strategy (in‑house/outsource/combination).
• Execute plans with prototypes tested by consumers against schedules.
• Design robust product specifications and maintain records of trials.
• Identify improvements and maintain product database; monitor competitors with marketing.
• Ensure raw material compliance and resolve sourcing issues; horizon-scan for innovations.
• Coordinate launches or trials with product development; address customer complaints.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to meet timelines; apply regulatory knowledge for domestic/international markets.
• Solve complex technical problems; apply product testing and sensory/key consumer studies.

Skills

Master's Degree in Food Technology

8+ years FMCG R&D

Product development

Regulatory & quality knowledge

Nutrition & fortification

Flavor formulation

Education

Master’s Degree in Food Technology

Job description

This is a technical role that requires thorough understanding of Fruit Juices / Fruit Based Beverages / fruit based CSD category and trends, Raw materials, new trends i.e. Sugar reduction and their nutrition change trend, sourcing, Quality, Testing methods, Composition & nutrition aspects. Latest Processing technologies, Product specifications to maintain quality of finished goods, Fortification, Stability and regulatory aspects. Product design vision in terms of not just the formulation but on product claims, nutrition & business accretive solutions. Should demonstrate product development skill with strong understanding of technical aspects of raw material development and process adaptations. Ability to contribute towards resolving business challenges pertaining to the projects & business continuity.

• Effectively ideate & create new adjacent product formulations as per consumer needs and brief, champion collaboration with other cross functional leaders and teams to rapidly deliver the launches.
• Managing the end to end development process from concept to commercialization, 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.
• Designing robust Product specifications. Documenting ingredient and product specifications, and keeping accurate records of all bench-top, pilot plant and production trials.
• Identify improvement & booster opportunities. Maintain Product Database.
• Competitor Monitoring: Partner with marketing in the collection and analysis of consumer information to ensure continuous innovation in his/her portfolio
• Raw Material Development: Ensure that all the raw material under his/her portfolio is compliance to organization’s System and approved to be used. Ability to identify and resolve sourcing related issues.
• Horizon scanning for innovative ingredients and technologies. Modifying existing products and processes and developing new ones as per current market trends.
• Coordinating launches of new products or running trials alongside/together with product development.
• Dealing with any customer complaint investigations or product issues. Compiling/checking/approving product specifications and labeling.
• Coordinating within Cross functional teams (CFT) to ensure delivery as per agreed timelines.
• Good knowledge on pilot plant equipment and its manufacturer including functionality of equipment. Has good knowledge of regulatory requirements (both in domestic and international markets) and legislation pertaining to FSSAI/FDA/CODEX.
• Proven ability to solve complex technical and operational problems in a timely manner. Experience on Product testing/ sensory/ Consumer study etc.
• Strategic thinking and Forecasting on Fruit Juices / Beverages.
• Good understanding of packaging and its interactions with product safety and acceptance through shelf life. Should be well versed with other related food categories and able to work on other product categories in foods portfolio.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum Master’s Degree in Food Technology from reputed institute.
• Experience- 8+ years in FMCG especially research background in Fruit Juices / Beverages is must.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English language. Able to conduct verbal group presentation.
• Commercial Mindset: Understands our business, the competition and how our industry works; Sets and communicates future directions and plans.
• Develops entrepreneurial business strategies and tactics to achieve business results and growth
• Leading Business Excellence: Analyses a variety of data to identify trends and make fact-based business decisions; Acts with urgency in setting targets, executing plans and consistently following through; Manages change proactively.
• Managing Networks: Creates & maintains networks with external and internal stakeholders (consumers, customers, employees, partners, suppliers, regulatory bodies, etc.), has a sound understanding of their priorities & processes and uses creative ways to influence them for business impact.
• Deliver Innovation as per brief: Generates, assesses and implements novel and valuable ideas, to deliver new or improved processes, methods, systems, products, solutions or services; builds an environment that fosters innovation and flexibility.
• Strong Knowledge in Food Science & Technology and good understanding of R&D processes / concepts.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As a multi-category organization which caters to a wide range of customers across geographies; we believe a diverse workforce is an essential asset to cater to the business environment we operate in.

As an equal opportunity employer, We at Dabur don't support and accept any kind of discrimination on the ground of colour, race, age, gender, religion, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation, etc. We promote and practice equal opportunities for every member of the Dabur family.