Job Profile: Senior Food Technologist – Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives Position: Senior Food Technologist / Head of Food Technology Location: Gujarat, India Employment Type: Full-time Reporting To: CEO / Founders Role Level: Executive Leadership Team Contact: Sarthak Daruka (E: sarthak@darukafoods.com ) About the Company: We are a new venture in the plant-based food space , setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit to produce innovative plant-based dairy alternatives . Our vision is to deliver sustainable, nutritious, and high-quality alternatives to meet the rising demand for health-conscious and environmentally-friendly food products , both domestically and internationally. While we will launch our own consumer brand , a significant portion of production will be focused on third-party / contract manufacturing . As part of this journey, we are building a strong Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and are looking for a Senior Food Technologist who combines technical expertise, leadership ability, and strategic industry insight. Key Responsibilities: 1. Leadership & Strategic Role Serve as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), contributing to company strategy, plant setup, and innovation roadmap. Work directly with the founders to identify key areas of innovation in plant-based product development. Take the lead in building and scaling the Food Technology & R&D team, hiring and mentoring new staff as the company grows. 2. Plant Setup & Manufacturing Play a critical role in establishing the new manufacturing facility, with hands-on involvement in machinery selection, process design, and plant layout. Leverage personal industry contacts to recommend machinery vendors, raw material suppliers, and technical consultants. Ensure compliance with food safety standards including FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, ISO, and international certifications (USFDA, EFSA, Codex Alimentarius, etc.) to enable smooth exports. 3. Budget & Cost Management Collaborate with founders and finance team to ensure plant setup and production processes remain within budget. Provide input on cost-effective production techniques and sourcing strategies without compromising on quality. 4. Product Development & Innovation Lead the development of plant-based milk, flavoured milk, fortified/protein-rich beverages, creamers, and tofu. While direct experience in plant-based dairy is valuable, candidates with strong expertise in Ready-to-Drink (RTD) products, beverages, or dairy/functional foods are encouraged. Oversee pilot trials, scale-up, and commercialization of products, ensuring taste, nutrition, and shelf- life meet both domestic and export standards. Stay updated with global trends in plant-based foods, bringing fresh ideas for new product innovation. 5. Market & Business Support Use existing professional network to establish agreements with potential B2B buyers, distributors, and contract partners. Support business development by providing technical input during buyer discussions, especially in B2B and export contracts. Align product development with market demand to ensure commercial success. 6. Export & Compliance Readiness Ensure all products meet international quality, safety, and labelling requirements, enabling the company to export seamlessly to global markets. Work closely with regulatory bodies, certification agencies, and trade associations to maintain compliance. Qualifications & Experience Master’s / Ph.D. in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Food Science, or related field. 15+ years of experience in food technology with significant exposure to RTD beverages, dairy, or functional/fortified products. Prior experience in factory setup, process design, or new product launches is highly desirable. Experience with international food safety regulations and export readiness. Strong industry network with contacts among machinery vendors, raw material suppliers, and potential B2B buyers. Demonstrated track record of team leadership and executive-level decision making. Key Skills & Attributes Strong expertise in formulations for RTD beverages, functional nutrition, proteins, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and fermentation processes. Excellent project management skills, able to balance innovation with budget and timelines. Commercially aware, capable of aligning technical R&D with market and business goals. Entrepreneurial mindset, excited to work in a fast-paced, start-up environment. Strong leadership, mentoring, and networking ability. Why Join Us? Opportunity to build a manufacturing facility and product portfolio from the ground up . Be part of the Executive Leadership Team , shaping both technical and business strategy. Chance to impact both domestic and international plant-based markets . Performance-linked incentives, and potential equity/ESOPs for the right candidate. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: ₹50,000.00 - ₹100,000.00 per month Ability to commute/relocate: Surat, Gujarat: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Education: Master's (Required) Experience: Food processing: 10 years (Preferred) Work Location: In person
Job Profile: Senior Project Manager – Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives Position: Senior Project Manager Location: Gujarat, India Employment Type: Full-time Reporting To: CEO / Founders Role Level: Executive Leadership Team Contact: Sarthak Daruka (E: sarthak@darukafoods.com ) About the Company: We are a new venture in the plant-based food space , setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit to produce innovative plant-based dairy alternatives . Our vision is to deliver sustainable, nutritious, and high-quality alternatives to meet the rising demand for health-conscious and environmentally-friendly food products , both domestically and internationally. While we will launch our own consumer brand , a significant portion of production will be focused on third-party / contract manufacturing . As part of this journey, we are building a strong Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and are looking for a Senior Project Manager who combines technical expertise, leadership ability, and strategic industry insight. Key Responsibilities: 1. Leadership & Strategic Role Serve as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), contributing to company strategy, plant setup, and innovation roadmap. Work directly with the founders to identify key areas of innovation in plant-based product development. Take the lead in building and scaling the Food Technology & R&D team, hiring and mentoring new staff as the company grows. 2. Plant Setup & Manufacturing Play a critical role in establishing the new manufacturing facility, with hands-on involvement in machinery selection, process design, and plant layout. Leverage personal industry contacts to recommend machinery vendors, raw material suppliers, and technical consultants. Ensure compliance with food safety standards including FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, ISO, and international certifications (USFDA, EFSA, Codex Alimentarius, etc.) to enable smooth exports. 3. Budget & Cost Management Collaborate with founders and finance team to ensure plant setup and production processes remain within budget. Provide input on cost-effective production techniques and sourcing strategies without compromising on quality. 4. Product Development & Innovation Lead the development of plant-based milk, flavoured milk, fortified/protein-rich beverages, creamers, and tofu. While direct experience in plant-based dairy is valuable, candidates with strong expertise in Ready-to-Drink (RTD) products, beverages, or dairy/functional foods are encouraged. Oversee pilot trials, scale-up, and commercialization of products, ensuring taste, nutrition, and shelf- life meet both domestic and export standards. Stay updated with global trends in plant-based foods, bringing fresh ideas for new product innovation. 5. Market & Business Support Use existing professional network to establish agreements with potential B2B buyers, distributors, and contract partners. Support business development by providing technical input during buyer discussions, especially in B2B and export contracts. Align product development with market demand to ensure commercial success. 6. Export & Compliance Readiness Ensure all products meet international quality, safety, and labelling requirements, enabling the company to export seamlessly to global markets. Work closely with regulatory bodies, certification agencies, and trade associations to maintain compliance. Qualifications & Experience Master’s / Ph.D. in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Food Science, or related field. 15+ years of experience in food technology with significant exposure to RTD beverages, dairy, or functional/fortified products. Prior experience in factory setup, process design, or new product launches is highly desirable. Experience with international food safety regulations and export readiness. Strong industry network with contacts among machinery vendors, raw material suppliers, and potential B2B buyers. Demonstrated track record of team leadership and executive-level decision making. Key Skills & Attributes Strong expertise in formulations for RTD beverages, functional nutrition, proteins, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and fermentation processes. Excellent project management skills, able to balance innovation with budget and timelines. Commercially aware, capable of aligning technical R&D with market and business goals. Entrepreneurial mindset, excited to work in a fast-paced, start-up environment. Strong leadership, mentoring, and networking ability. Why Join Us? Opportunity to build a manufacturing facility and product portfolio from the ground up . Be part of the Executive Leadership Team , shaping both technical and business strategy. Chance to impact both domestic and international plant-based markets . Performance-linked incentives, and potential equity/ESOPs for the right candidate. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: ₹50,000.00 - ₹100,000.00 per month Ability to commute/relocate: Surat, Gujarat: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Education: Master's (Required) Experience: Food processing: 10 years (Preferred) Work Location: In person