Product Design & Development Project Lead, LSN India

Job title: Product Design & Development Project Lead, LSN India

Category: Lifestyle Nutrition                

Location: Bangalore                                           

Main job purpose:

The Product Design & Development Project Lead, LSN India supports leading-edge formulation & process development of new nutritional products primarily LSNs following requirements outlined in business strategies considering consumer, scientific, timing & cost objectives. The person will be responsible for developing formulations & associated manufacturing processes and/or provide analysis, characterization and evaluation of materials & products at all stages of the development process, considering consumer, cost and timing objectives.

This position covers a broad range of challenges – from pioneering innovative technology routes to strengthening existing formulations, validating methods, and establishing networks of external academic collaborators, suppliers and external partners across nutrition platforms/formats especially relevant to nutritional delivery. 

This position may also serve as an expert in a specific technical skill or area of expertise and act as an R&D representative on cross-functional, global teams. 

In-depth understanding of Cereal / Grain Science, Bakery Science, Dairy Science, Nutrition Science, Pharmacology of active Ingredients like but not limited to Vitamins & Minerals. Scientific & practical working knowledge of technologies like Baking, UHT, Mashing, Drying, Blending, Milling, Extrusion etc. and their product implications. Functional product development experience in relevant nutritional formats primarily Biscuits, RTD’s, Health Food Drinks & powder formats but not limited to the same. Execution of allocated product development responsibilities across the various NPD innovation/Renovation projects while working in a matrix organization structure. Work on variety of innovation projects while appropriately prioritizing various assigned developments tasks under the guidance of the team leaders. Work with new and/or existing, internal and/or external, ingredient/formulation and/or technology partners and create world class differentiated products in accordance with the Innovation pipeline for the Nutrition category.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Holistic Product & Process development

• Deep dives into existing or novel Ingredients & their interactions, expression in formulation in terms of efficacy, functional & sensorial characteristics throughout product shelf-life when processed/manufactured through various technologies.

• Independently designs experiments and carries out scientific work with an awareness of state-of-the-art technologies.

• Understands & applies the design-to-value principles in product development. Generates and/or sources proof-of-principle concept samples of relevant nutritional formats primarily Health Food Drinks and shares with R&D and Cross-functional stakeholders towards assessment of inclusion in the NPD programme.

• Carries out technical feasibility analysis on the innovation ideas by analyzing & assessing current development plans, new scientific developments and competitive activities.

• Performs comprehensive, sophisticated and critical evaluation of project data and be able to chart development plans independently for complex projects. Identifies issues & risks on projects and subsequently provides mitigation plans supported by good data analysis and their interpretation.

• Pioneer innovative technology routes against agreed project deliverables and timings. Execution of identified product development activities (Lab-Pilot-Scale-Plant-Commercial Scale formulation & process development, Specifications and Manufacturing documents) as well as other related product development activities like stability testing, sensory & consumer research clearance etc.)

• Post product development & validation ensure on-time-in-full reproducible & representative technology transfer to the manufacturing sites for smooth commercial manufacturing of the new product at the manufacturing site(s).

• Looks for innovative and better ways of doing things; actively looks to eliminate non-value-added steps out of processes and procedures.

Internal & External collaboration & networks

• Develops strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional stakeholders to help facilitate project progression per agreed timelines including but not limited to trouble shooting technical challenges.

• Liaise with various functions within R&D like Innovation, Medical Affairs, Sensory & Consumer Insights, Analytical, Stability, Regulatory, Quality & Packaging to enable the progress on the innovation projects to deliver agreed project milestones.

• Represents NPD and present project results at NPD project reviews and in other cross-functional (internal) forums to ensure alignment on progress & course of project at each stage.

• ldentify suitable raw material vendors & leverage their potential to develop the required raw material for the new NPD projects.

• Identify relevant scientific/technology/manufacturing partners and assess them holistically as potential collaborators for long-term innovation opportunities & pipeline.

• Stays updated about developments around nutrition & associated ingredients, science, applications, regulatory, technology platforms in the external world locally & globally through scientific literature, conferences, vendor & professional networks.

• Shares information & best practices with wider team.

Quality Documentation

• Well versed with UL Digital tool- SAP/PLM, Safety/Pharos etc which are key to design team.

• Writes high quality technical reports/papers/presentations to enhance personal, departmental and corporate reputation.

• Ensures all activities in the project lifecycle are well documented.

• All documentation to be in line with Good Documentation & Good Lab & Good Manufacturing Practices to support knowledge management, issue resolution, external challenges as well as patent opportunities, where applicable.

Compliance

• Well versed with organization’s processes and system requirements.

• Ensures adherence to GMP, safety, SOP and other organizational policies and corporate and NPD Management requirements.

Direct/Indirect reports: None

Key Interfaces: Innovation, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Commercial and R&D team.

Professional skills/background:

• 8 years (MS); 6 years (Ph.D)M.Tech/M.Sc. or Equivalent in Food Science or Technology Or Any other science or technology discipline.

• Ph.D Degree or equivalent in Food Science or Technology or Any other science or technology disciplineBiscuit, RTD Expertise is plus to have.

General skills/competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, think and work independently, problem solve and work in a team.

• Great written & verbal communication skills and presentation abilities.

• Team player with a pleasing personality, strong influencing & leadership skills Self-reliant, flexible with good time management skills and ability to operate in an empowered environment.

• Creative and imaginative in approaching diverse R&D projects with demonstrated ability to apply scientific principles and techniques to assigned projects. Understanding & familiarity with FSSAI and other global regularity requirements as well as industry norms.

• High level of competitive & commercial awareness