Functional Reporting: CEO

Administrative Reporting: CEO

Location: Ahmedabad

Role Purpose

The Head of R&D is responsible for understanding consumer trends, advances in technology, and competitor activities, and for developing new products that have a strategic fit with the business plan. By liaising with Marketing, he is required to create opportunities for the business to grow through a regular pipeline of new products. His team is expected to develop all aspects of the product, from concept to delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial

- Lead a team responsible for designing, developing and characterising new products (New technology/ Regulatory lead/ Future Ready) and enhancing existing products, in sync with the marketing team

- Contribute to revenue by the means of New Product Development (NPD)

- Develop all aspects of the product utilising knowledge of the latest technology, raw materials and industry knowledge

- Evaluate outcomes of new products and processes to deliver improved business results.

- Coordinate with marketing/ regulatory & claim teams to drive the differentiation

Customer

- Drive improvements in the conceptualisation of ideas to attract new markets

- Analyse customer requirements and develop new products or product improvements based on those requirements

- Identify potential markets for products or services based on trends in consumer demand or other factors

Process

- Responsible for the integration of new technologies and technology transfers, and continuous improvement

- Partner with the marketing team in product communication, including product labels, brochures, and keeping in mind statutory requirements

- Highlight perspective on regulatory matters, with a responsibility of influencing others wherever possible

- Responsible for driving cost effectiveness

- Identify resources for manufacturing product on a mass scale economically, including raw materials, technology

- Influence Marketing, Finance and Operations Technology team in product costing

- Partner with procurement team in identifying alternative materials and new technologies that match the product quality at a lower cost

- Setting of Quality and Food Safety & Hygiene standards

People

- Facilitate R&D Administration and subordinate development by active involvement

- Impact and influence key stakeholders

- Ensure the targeted occupancy rate for the year for his team

- Ensure high levels of engagement and productivity for his team

Key Deliverables

- Overseeing the development of new products and services, including prototypes and market testing

- Develop strategies to increase market share

- Develop plans for product launches based on research findings

- Revenue and/or Operational expense responsibilities: Product costs, R&D costs, CAPEX costs

Key Interactions

Internal

Internal Stakeholders

- Production team, Employees, etc.

External

- Customers, suppliers, vendors, etc.

Key Dimensions

Team

- Direct reports - 8

- Total team size- 32

Role Requirements:-

Educational Qualifications

- Master's or doctorate in a science-related field, such as biology, chemistry, nutrition, food science/technology, microbiology

Experience (Type & Nature)

- 12-15 years of relevant work experience with at least 4-5 years of experience of heading R&D initiatives

Functional Competencies

- Leadership

- Business acumen

- Open to innovation

- Problem solving

- Collaborative

Thorough knowledge of food technology, good knowledge of product development, Claim validation process, good understanding of consumer marketing, financial knowledge, knowledge of FMCG supply chain, knowledge of statutory and legal requirements

Behavioral Competencies

- Building People Capability - Builds individual/team capability for the future

- Business Orientation - Puts the organisation first by understanding the business impact

- Delivering Excellence - Acts to enhance performance within the team

- Entrepreneurial Decision Making - Proactively identifies and acts on opportunities in the medium-term

- Team Leadership - Provides tactical direction to the team

- Working Across Boundaries - Respects and integrates multiple viewpoints