R&D Executive - Ice cream Innovation and NPD Specialist

Company Description

Giani’s, established in 1956, is one of India's premium ice cream brands. Known for its real taste and extensive variety of flavors, Giani’s has grown from a few homemade flavors to over 100 delectable ice creams created using state-of-the-art automated production processes. With more than 250 stores across India, Giani’s is a household name for dessert lovers. The brand's commitment to excellence continues under the leadership of Directors Anandpreet Singh, Amarpreet Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and Kawarpreet Singh.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role located in West Delhi for an R&D Executive - Ice Cream Innovation and NPD Specialist. The role involves leading the research and development of new ice cream flavors, conducting sensory evaluations, and working with food technology to innovate and improve product offerings. The specialist will be responsible for creating new product development strategies, ensuring quality control, and collaborating with the production team to bring new products to market.

Key responsibilities:

1. Research & Development (R&D)

• Conduct research on ice cream base formulations, flavour systems, stabilizers, and emulsifiers
• Study ingredient functionality to ensure consistency, creaminess, and melt resistance
• Evaluate new raw materials and suppliers from a technical performance perspective
• Investigate process improvements and cost optimization without compromising quality
• Ensure compliance with food safety and FSSAI regulations during product development

2. New Product Development (NPD)

• Lead ideation and development of innovative ice cream and frozen dessert products (e.g., kulfi, gelato, sorbet)
• Create product prototypes and manage sensory evaluations
• Work closely with marketing to align products with market trends and consumer preferences
• Customize products based on regional taste profiles or seasonal trends (e.g., mango in summer, festive variants)
• Ensure timely execution of product development from concept to commercial launch

3. Pilot Trials & Scale-Up

• Conduct pilot trials for new formulations in a lab or small-batch setting
• Optimize process parameters for texture, overrun, and mouthfeel
• Collaborate with production teams for smooth scale-up to full manufacturing lines
• Document learnings and revise formulations/processes based on trial feedback

4. Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all developed products meet FSSAI and internal QA standards
• Work closely with QA to define quality parameters for raw materials and finished goods
• Maintain documentation for each formulation and its related regulatory/technical data
• Assist in addressing customer complaints or shelf-life issues related to new products

5. Innovation & Market Trend Tracking

• Research global and local market trends in frozen desserts (e.g., vegan, high-protein, low-sugar)
• Benchmark Giani’s offerings against competitors and propose innovation opportunities
• Explore clean-label and natural ingredient alternatives for health-conscious product lines
• Attend food expos, webinars, and technical workshops to stay updated

6. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work with marketing to align product features with branding and customer expectations
• Coordinate with procurement for sourcing new ingredients and packaging
• Collaborate with production on equipment capability and process compatibility
• Support sales and training teams with product knowledge and technical inputs during rollouts

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Food Science, or related field.
• 2-6 years of relevant experience in food production, quality control, or lab-based roles (ice cream/dairy mandatory).
• Strong understanding of FSSAI regulations, lab testing protocols, and production processes.
• Strong communication skills in English, Hindi, and the local regional language.
• Good organizational and problem-solving abilities; comfortable in fast-paced environments.