Head of Innovation and R&D

You will be responsible for leading the strategic development and execution of product innovation and R&D initiatives for the FMCG business in India and select international markets at MetaMorph. Your role will involve driving breakthrough innovation, streamlining product pipelines, and building capabilities to meet evolving consumer needs. **Key Responsibilities:** - Define a long-term innovation roadmap across categories (snacks, sweets, ready-to-eat) that aligns with the brand vision and market trends. - Manage end-to-end product development from concept to commercialization. - Grow and mentor cross-functional teams; upskill R&D with emerging tech and consumer insights. - Engage with academia, startups, ingredient suppliers, and food tech incubators. - Oversee quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance for new products. - Utilize deep insights and analytics to shape market-fit innovations. - Drive cost-effective development through advanced formulation, sourcing, and manufacturing processes. - Secure trademarks, patents, and design rights as needed. **Preferred background & domain expertise:** - 15+ years in R&D/Innovation roles, preferably in Indian FMCG majors. - Proven track record of launching successful product lines and building new categories. - Expertise in consumer research, food science, process engineering, packaging innovation, and sustainability. - Advanced qualification (M.Tech/Ph.D.) in Food Technology, Food Science, or related field is preferred. **Core competencies:** - High-impact communication & stakeholder influence. - Passion for consumer-centric innovation. - Adaptability to scaling at large organizations.,