Head of Reseach

Job Summary

The Head of Research & Development (Nutraceuticals) plays a pivotal role in overseeing and directing all aspects of the food and supplements division of the organization. This role involves strategic planning, product development, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and team management to ensure the food, supplements and Nutraceuticals offerings align with industry standards and meet customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning: Develop strategic and tactical processes to identify market gaps and build a strong product portfolio that resonates with company's core customers. Develop and implement strategic plans to drive growth and profitability in the food and supplements division. Analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscapes to identify opportunities and risks. Evaluate clinical trial protocols to ensure they are the correct assessment for intended claims and drive timely completion of trials within budget.

Product Development: Develop new product strategy and pipeline of launches through market research and industry benchmarking. Liaise with technical experts both internal and external to achieve the best-in-class product-market fit. Lead the development of new food and supplement products from conceptualization to commercialization. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, marketing, and sales to ensure products meet market demand and regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure regulatory compliance of all new releases with complete documentation as per the geography of launch. Stay abreast of food and supplement regulations and ensure all products comply with local, national, and international standards. Work closely with regulatory affairs teams to navigate regulatory processes and maintain necessary certifications. Provide compliance oversight on product claims across all marketing touchpoints and liaise with the marketing team on product efficacy communication.

Quality Assurance: Ensure regulatory and quality assurance across suppliers and manufacturers with respect to region specific regulatory requirements. Develop and implement quality assurance processes and collaborate with internal cross functional teams to drive results as well as with external auditors. Establish and maintain rigorous quality assurance processes to uphold product safety, efficacy, and consistency.

Team Management: Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of professionals. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team. Be a team player, have strong communication skills, be a thought leader by demonstrating analytical acumen, bias for action, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple project streams simultaneously. Passionate about health, wellness, nutrition and ayurveda.

Supplier and Vendor Management: Oversee identification, screening and selection of manufacturing partners that support product innovation and ensure all steps to Technical Transfer and commercialization are adhered to.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment of goals and strategies across the organization. Foster effective communication and teamwork to drive overall company success.

Qualifications

• Masters degree or Ph.D in food science, nutrition, biology, or related field; having degree in business management is aplus point but not preferred.
• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in product development, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, or related roles within the FMCG or Nutraceuticals industry.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new products and driving business growth.
• Strong knowledge of food and supplement regulations and quality standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically, analyze complex data, and make data-driven decisions.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
• Working Conditions: This role typically operates in an office environment but may require occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, , and industry conferences. The Head of Food & Supplements must be able to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.