Research & Development Executive

JOB DESCRIPTION

Function & Designation: R&D Executive – Cakes/Cookies/Wafer Category

Reporting to: R&D Manager

Location: Greater Noida

Role Objectives:

The individual will support new product development, renovation, and value engineering initiatives in Cakes, Cookies, and Wafer categories. The role involves formulation development, process optimization, ingredient evaluation, and ensuring successful product scale-up from lab to commercial production. The position will contribute to delivering consumer-preferred products with consistent quality, shelf life, and cost competitiveness, while adhering to food safety and regulatory standards.

Desired Skills and Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology / Food Science / Bakery Science or related field.
• 2–5 years of FMCG or Bakery industry experience with at least 1–2 years of hands-on experience in Cakes, Cookies, or Wafer development.
• Strong understanding of bakery science, ingredient functionality, and process parameters for sponge cakes, bar cakes, muffins, cookies, and wafer sheet/cream systems.
• Experience in moisture management, shelf-life extension, texture optimization, and fat/sugar replacement in bakery formulations.
• Knowledge of industrial baking equipment and their impact on product texture, spread, aeration, and stability.
• Familiarity with chocolate, cream, and filling systems for wafers and sandwich biscuits.
• Skilled in lab and plant trial execution, recipe standardization, and process documentation.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word; exposure to ERP systems is an advantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams (Production, QA, Marketing, Procurement).
• Good project management, data analysis, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel for plant trials, vendor audits, and consumer studies.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Development & Innovation

• Support NPD projects for Cakes, Cookies, and Wafers, including flavor variants, health-based recipes, and premium products.
• Develop formulations considering texture, flavor, nutritional profile, and cost.
• Create innovative concepts aligned with consumer trends (e.g., clean label, reduced sugar/fat, high protein).

2. Process Development & Scale-Up

• Conduct lab trials and translate results to industrial scale.
• Optimize baking, cooling, and packaging parameters to achieve consistent product quality.
• Troubleshoot texture, shelf life, and process-related issues during production.

3. Vendor & Ingredient Management

• Identify and evaluate new ingredients (flavors, fats, stabilizers, inclusions) and suppliers.
• Collaborate with vendors for functional ingredient trials.

4. Quality, Regulatory & Documentation

• Prepare product dossiers, SOPs, RM/FG specifications, allergen information, and nutritional tables.
• Ensure compliance with FSSAI and export market requirements.
• Maintain proper documentation for recipes, trials, and costings.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing for product briefs and consumer preference studies.
• Support Production in achieving smooth rollouts of new and renovated products.

  Role & responsibilities

Preferred candidate profile