New Product Development Manager

Hiring for FMCG Org who have business globally.

MUST - exp in Confectionary & Hard Boiled Candy Indusustry.

Job description:

Responsible for product development within the assigned priorities & is expected to identify and manage the technical risks. Must understand the properties & interactions between the ingredients, technological functions of additives for delivering innovative products. Should be able to develop NPD roadmap aligned with market trends & consumer preferences. Applies initiative and creativity in assignments. Should be able to provide technical direction to team members to achieve project objectives. Would need to interact with cross-functional teams to plan and execute product and process development projects from concept to commercialization in accordance with the given requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and/or duplicate products from concept to commercialization, as per assigned project brief and ensures that these products are suitable for manufacture and are stable throughout shelf life. Must have a deep understanding of interactions between ingredients, recipes and processes.
2. Understand consumer feedback & preferences & create products that resonate with the target audience
3. Supervises manufacturing/scale up trials during new product commercialization, including defining process controls, performing line validation & transferring technology engaging key stakeholders along the way.
4. Is expected to interact with suppliers/vendors and to liaise with cross functional partners in vendor approval programs and material selection, review and approval.
5. Provides technical and troubleshooting support to both internal and external stakeholders as required. Reviews teams work and makes recommendations.
6. Protect & manage intellectual property related to product formulations
7. Identify opportunities to reduce product cost without compromising quality
8. Effectively collaborate with relevant intra and cross functional team members including Sales, Marketing, Procurement, QA, Regulatory, Finance and Operations, Packaging etc.
9. Ensure projects are completed within timelines & budgets preferably using PM solutions (software).
10. Strong expertise in planning and executing new trials, along with end-to-end plant management

Key Skills/ Qualifications:

1. MSc Food Science/Food Technology/ Chemistry.
2. 10-15 years of relevant product development experience in the food industry.
3. Confectionery, Hard Boiled candy experience preferred
4. Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
5. Must be able to manage and negotiate conflicting priorities, managing key stakeholder expectations along the way.
6. Attention to detail and ability to work independently
7. Strong communication and interpersonal skill