NPD - Program Manager

About Kapiva:

Kapiva is a modern ayurvedic nutrition brand focused on bringing selectively sourced, natural foods to Indian consumers. We help bring the wisdom of India’s ancient food traditions to modern-day consumers. Kapiva's high-quality portfolio offers products across various therapy areas including skin & hair, digestion, weight management, immunity, chronic issues, & much more. Our products are top performers on online marketplaces (Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket, Nykaa, etc), we're growing our presence offline in a big way (Reliance, Nature’s Basket, Noble Plus etc.) & are funded by India’s best Consumer VC Funds – Orbimed Fireside Ventures, Vertex Ventures, Sharrp Ventures, 3One4 Capital & Jetty Ventures.

The team at Kapiva is headed by the Co-Founders:

• Ameve Sharma: worked @McKinsey, @Baidyanath studied @INSEAD & NYU

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amevesharma/

• Shantanu S: Ex-PG & CMO Uniqlo India ; IIM C Alum

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantanu-b535a010/

• Anuj Sharma: Ex- Hotstar , Ex- Myntra ; ISB

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuj-sharma-28033a40/

We’re creating a new brand with a unique story & are looking for a team to help

us grow our business. You’d be joining a young, hungry team with a culture of

honesty, humility, & hard work.

Role Brief:

We are seeking an NPD Program Manager to anchor and drive New Product Development initiatives within Kapiva’s R&D function. This role will be embedded in the R&D team and will involve managing the end-to-end product development lifecycle—from ideation, formulation, trials, regulatory assessments, to commercialization. The ideal candidate will combine strong

program management capabilities with a deep understanding of scientific product development, regulatory frameworks, and R&D collaboration, ensuring timely and compliant product launches.

Key Responsibilities:

• End-to-End NPD Management: Drive the entire NPD journey in close partnership with the R&D team—formulations, lab trials, stability studies, scale-up, and product validation.
• Cross-functional Integration: Act as the bridge between R&D, Marketing, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure smooth translation of concepts into market-ready products.
• Regulatory & Compliance Leadership: Partner with regulatory and quality teams to ensure products meet all FSSAI, AYUSH, and global standards before launch.
• Scientific Documentation: Maintain and oversee all technical dossiers, trial reports, regulatory submissions, and IP-related documentation.
• Process & Program Governance: Develop and implement structured program management practices within R&D, ensuring adherence to stage-gate processes, timelines, and budgets.
• Risk Management: Anticipate and resolve formulation, scale-up, or compliance bottlenecks, with clear mitigation strategies.
• Innovation & Market Insights: Support R&D in identifying emerging trends, scientific breakthroughs, and consumer health needs to fuel innovation pipelines.
• Continuous Improvement: Optimize NPD workflows in R&D for faster experimentation-to-market cycles.

Desired Candidate Profile:

• Qualification: Master’s / Bachelor’s in Food Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, or Engineering. Advanced certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile) preferred.
• R&D & NPD Experience: Proven track record of managing NPD programs within R&D functions of nutraceuticals, FMCG, or pharma.
• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in MS Project, JIRA, Trello, or equivalent.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of nutraceutical, wellness, or FMCG regulations (FSSAI, FDA, AYUSH preferred).
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to navigate scientific, technical, and operational complexities within R&D projects.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication skills with experience in aligning scientists, regulatory authorities, and business stakeholders.
• Consumer & Market Insight: Appreciation for consumer health and wellness trends, translating science into consumer-centric innovations.