Head of NPD

Job Title: Head of NPD (Snacks, Bakery, Functional Food)

Location:
HSR Layout, Bangalore

Employment Type:
Full-Time

Position Summary

Lo Foods is among the fastest-growing companies in the functional foods space, with 4 established brands and a robust pipeline of innovations. We are seeking a
Head of New Product Development (NPD)
who will spearhead product innovation, manage improvements in existing product lines, and drive launches of cutting-edge nutritional products. This role is pivotal in bringing differentiated, consumer-centric products to market at speed while ensuring regulatory compliance, quality, and commercial viability.

The ideal candidate will be a
hands-on leader
with strong expertise in food technology, nutrition, and sensory evaluation, coupled with proven experience in scaling product innovation from ideation to market launch.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Innovation & Pipeline Development

• Drive the innovation roadmap, delivering
  15–18 new launches over the next 12–15 months
  .
• Lead ideation, formulation, and prototyping of functional food products with unique nutritional value propositions.
• Continuously improve current products through sensory upgrades, nutritional enrichment, and shelf-life enhancement.
• Introduce
  innovative and sustainable packaging solutions
  aligned with consumer preferences.

2. Nutritional Research & Market Insights

• Track global nutrition trends, emerging ingredients, and technologies for relevance to Indian consumers.
• Conduct research on functional ingredients and their health benefits, translating insights into commercially viable products.
• Benchmark competition and identify whitespace opportunities.

3. Vendor & Manufacturing Partnerships

• Identify and onboard new manufacturing partners and co-packers to scale innovation.
• Collaborate with suppliers for sourcing novel ingredients and packaging solutions.
• Work closely with procurement to ensure best cost-to-quality ratio.

4. Sensory, Quality & Compliance

• Oversee sensory evaluations (taste, texture, aroma, appearance) and ensure consumer acceptability.
• Ensure 100% compliance with
  FSSAI and global food regulations
  ; prepare documentation for product approvals, labels, and claims.
• Implement best practices in product specifications, SOPs, and technical documentation.

5. Cost Optimization & Commercial Viability

• Balance innovation with profitability by monitoring cost structures and suggesting cost-reduction opportunities.
• Partner with finance and procurement on feasibility studies, pricing strategies, and scale-up plans.

6. Cross-functional Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with Marketing for product positioning, nutritional claims, and go-to-market strategies.
• Provide scientific backing and content for packaging, digital campaigns, and consumer education.
• Lead knowledge-sharing sessions with internal stakeholders on nutrition trends and product innovation.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's/Master's degree in
  Food Technology, Food Science, Nutrition, or related discipline
  .
• 8–12 years of proven experience in
  FMCG/Nutrition/Food manufacturing
  with direct exposure to new product development.
• Strong track record in
  fast-paced product launches
  and managing end-to-end NPD lifecycle.
• Hands-on knowledge of
  functional ingredients, clean-label formulations, sensory evaluation, and shelf-life extension
  .
• Working knowledge of FSSAI, labeling laws, and nutrition claim regulations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with speed and accuracy.
• Strong leadership, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Why Join Lo Foods?

At Lo Foods, you will:

• Build the
  next generation of functional food products
  for India.

• Work in an innovation-driven, high-growth environment.

• Have the autonomy to lead NPD across brands and categories.

• Play a direct role in shaping consumer health through purposeful nutrition.

If you're passionate about combining
science, nutrition, and innovation
to create impact, we'd love to hear from you.