NPD Manager

Position Overview:

This position involves leading the development of innovative food and beverage products, driving the process of new products from concept through commercialization, ensuring that the new products meet consumer preferences, nutritional needs, and market trends, possess a deep understanding of culinary techniques, food science, and ingredient functionality, as well as the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring culinary visions to life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead Culinary Product Development: Oversee the end-to-end development of new food and beverage products, including ideation, culinary recipe formulation, prototyping, testing, and market launch. Focus on both culinary creativity and technical feasibility.

2. Culinary Innovation: Drive innovation by incorporating current food trends, flavors, and cooking techniques into new product formulations. Ensure that culinary concepts align with consumer preferences and meet nutritional requirements.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, marketing, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to ensure products are developed with the right balance of culinary excellence, cost-efficiency, and scalability.

4. Recipe Formulation & Ingredient Sourcing: Develop and perfect recipes, considering factors such as taste, texture, and nutrition. Source quality ingredients and build relationships with suppliers to meet product specifications and regulatory standards.

5. Market Research & Consumer Insights: Conduct market analysis and gather consumer feedback to drive product ideation. Monitor trends in the culinary world, health-conscious eating, and emerging food technologies.

6. Regulatory & Safety Compliance: Ensure all new products comply with food safety regulations, labeling laws, and industry quality standards (e.g., HACCP, FDA). Partner with quality assurance teams to maintain high product standards.

7. Product Testing & Quality Control: Coordinate product testing to assess flavor, texture, and consumer acceptance. Ensure that the final products are of high culinary quality, safe for consumption, and meet brand standards.

8. Packaging & Presentation: Collaborate with the packaging design team to ensure products are presented in an appealing, on-trend, and functional manner that supports the culinary vision and brand identity.

9. Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and resource allocation. Report on project progress to senior leadership.

Responsibility and Decision-Making Authority:

Empowered to make decisions, and authority to make cross functional decisions in partnership with peers of other functions.

Qualification:

Ph.D / Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Arts, or related field.

3 to 5 years of experience in food product development, with a proven track record in launching successful food and beverage products.

Strong understanding of food formulation, nutrition, and ingredient functionality.