NPD Manager

NPD and R&D - Product

About Company

Jivika Agri Industries Pvt Ltd is a rapidly growing and trusted name in the FMCG and agro-commodities sector. The company has emerged as a leading manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of whole spices, ground spices, blended spice mixes, Seasonings, edible oils, and various grocery staples.

With roots deeply embedded in sustainable agricultural practices, Jivika is committed to delivering premium-quality, hygienic, and authentic products to both domestic and international markets The Company’s mission focuses on enriching lives through innovative and sustainable products, while its vision targets becoming a globally recognized FMCG leader known for quality and ethical sourcing. (Website: www.jivikaagri.com)

Position Overview

The NPD & R&D Manager will be responsible for driving innovation, product development, and research initiatives for the company’s portfolio of whole spices, blended spices, seasonings, and edible oils. The role involves conceptualizing, formulating, testing, and launching new products, while also ensuring cost optimization, regulatory compliance, and sensory excellence. This position requires a strong background in food science, flavor development, and consumer insights to develop market-winning products.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Product Development (NPD):

· Develop and launch new spice blends, seasonings, and oil-based products in line with market trends and consumer demands.

· Conceptualize and execute innovative flavor profiles, recipes, and formulations.

· Conduct bench trials, pilot plant trials, and scale-up to full production.

· Manage product costing, raw material sourcing, and optimization to ensure competitive pricing.

· Collaborate with Marketing & Sales for product positioning, packaging, and go-to-market strategy.

2. Research & Development (R&D):

· Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and trend forecasting for spices, seasonings, and oils.

· Work on sensory evaluation (taste, aroma, texture) and develop robust sensory panels.

· Continuously improve existing products for taste, shelf life, cost efficiency, and quality consistency.

· Evaluate and integrate new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods.

· Conduct stability studies, shelf-life testing, and quality validation.

3. Costing & Process Optimization:

· Prepare detailed costing sheets, yield analysis, and margin analysis for new and existing products.

· Optimize production processes to minimize wastage, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency.

· Work closely with the Procurement & Production teams for ingredient sourcing and standardization.

4. Compliance & Documentation:

· Ensure all products meet FSSAI, ISO, HACCP, Export, and other regulatory standards.

· Maintain documentation for product recipes, process SOPs, and R&D trials.

· Prepare technical dossiers for product approvals and certifications.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

· Liaise with Production, QA/QC, Marketing, and Sales teams for seamless product rollouts.

· Provide technical expertise to the Sales & Marketing team for customer presentations, B2B deals, and export documentation.

· Conduct training sessions for production and quality teams on new product processes.

6. Sensory & Consumer Testing:

· Design and manage sensory evaluation panels to assess taste, flavor, and product acceptance.

· Conduct consumer trials, feedback surveys, and product acceptance testing.

· Translate consumer insights into actionable product innovations.

7. Innovation & Strategic Growth:

· Drive continuous innovation in spices, seasoning mixes, health-oriented spice blends, and oil-based products.

· Explore new packaging technologies (retail packs, sachets, bulk packs) to enhance convenience and shelf appeal.

· Identify and recommend value-added product opportunities (organic spices, functional blends, ready-to-cook seasonings, flavoured oils).

Key Accountability Areas (KAA)

· End-to-end development of new spice blends, seasonings, and oil-based products.

· Manage concept-to-commercialization cycle (idea → trials → pilot → production → launch).

· Identify new trends, consumer preferences, and innovative flavor opportunities.

· Integrate new technologies, ingredients, and processes into product portfolio.

· Conduct sensory evaluation (taste, texture, color)

· Build and manage sensory panels, consumer testing, and product acceptance studies.

· Prepare product costing sheets and optimize recipes for cost-effectiveness.

· Ensure compliance with FSSAI, ISO, HACCP, Export & international standards.

· Maintain documentation, SOPs, and technical dossiers for approvals.

· Work closely with Production, QA/QC, Procurement, and Marketing for smooth rollouts.

· Track competitor products, pricing, and innovation.

· Maintain detailed records of formulations, trials, test reports, and costing.

· Develop retail packs, sachets, bulk packs, and export-specific packaging.

Qualifications & Experience

· Master’s/Bachelor’s in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Engineering, or related discipline.

· Minimum 6–10 years of experience in NPD/R&D in the Spice / Seasoning / FMCG (Food) industry.

· Proven track record of successful product launches in spices/seasonings/oils.

· Strong knowledge of flavor chemistry, spice processing, extraction, blending, and shelf-life studies.

· Experience with sensory evaluation methods, food testing protocols, and regulatory compliance.

· Strong analytical, creative, and problem-solving skills, Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Email ID: hr@jivikaagri.com

Contact No.: 7486009712

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: ₹45,000.00 - ₹60,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person