Company Profile

ITC is one of India's foremost private sector companies, has a diversified presence in FMCG, Hotels, Packaging, Paperboards & Specialty Papers and Agri-Business. ITC's aspiration to be an exemplar in sustainability practices is manifest in its status as the only company in the world, of its size and diversity, to be carbon, water and solid waste recycling positive.

About the Role:

About ITC’s Foods Division

ITC’s Foods Division is spearheading ITC’s diversification into the foods business and is perhaps the fastest growing FMCG business in the country. In a short span the Division has witnessed an average annual growth of over 50%, captured sizeable market share and consumer preference in all its operating segments and has set the benchmark on product quality. The Division has drawn up ambitious growth plans and is well positioned to become the largest branded, packaged food business in the country in the next five years.

Position

AM / Manager - Product Development

Required By (Joining Date)

Immediate

Reports To (Person)

Senior Manager – Product Development

Requested On (Date)

-

Role

• Build knowledge of the state specific local cuisine, spices and other flavoring agents used in cooking and leverage it to develop innovative solutions for the consumers
• This position will work on Spices NPD in accordance with planned launches and will be actively involved in consumer insight, rapid prototyping, and testing, along with the brand manager innovations in North East.                                                    
• Analyze the current products of Sunrise and modify them in line with the market requirements for the North Eastern states.
• Liaise with factories to guide them to ensure smooth changeovers, implementations, and operations support and troubleshooting.
• Understand the product line extension requirements from the business plan requirements; prepare a concept/seasoning brief based on consumer research and market understanding; provide to flavor houses; co-create samples in the lab; conduct preliminary internal evaluation and screening of options developed; conduct consumer research with an external agency; analyze results and shortlist options; build a seasoning options pipeline for reference on an ongoing basis in order to ensure product line extensions are developed as per customer requirements and overall business plan.
• Technology/recipe knowledge transfer: review and sign off on inputs for standard operating procedures (SOPs) and bill of materials details
• Conduct training on product-related manufacturing parameters and SOPs for the manufacturing team.
• Participate in the first manufacturing run and resolve issues, if any, in order to ensure comprehensive knowledge transfer to relevant teams for the timely stabilization of new product or extension manufacturing.
• Product-related cost reduction initiatives (chili, turmeric, etc.): identify cost improvement possibilities related to recipes, raw materials, and other related areas; validate cost improvement ideas proposed by respective functions; monitor and review the implementation of initiatives; review the effectiveness of initiatives; and suggest further improvements in order to ensure continuous improvement in recipes, raw materials, and other product-related costs without any effect on product quality.

Experience

With at least 8+ years in PD/R&D position in a food related business (preferably Spices Industry).

Technical Knowledge

(Technical knowledge the person must have)

• Should have excellent knowledge of different unit operations involved in food processing.
• Core knowledge and previously handled food development for Spices
• Sound Analytical Chemistry knowledge and hands on operating experience of a comprehensive Analytical System
• Clear understanding of basic food ingredients and their functionalities.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the ‘Prevention of food adulteration rules/ act (PFA), FSSA, BIS and Codex standards.
• Should have excellent Project Management and planning skills.
• Development and implementation of quality systems.

Skills (Technical abilities the person must have)

• Should have excellent man management and interpersonal skills. Believes in teamwork and empowerment.
• Should be self-motivated and adaptable.
• Strong analytical ability along with lateral thinking style.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving ability are critical.
• Should be focused, well organized, creative & open minded.
• Should have excellent Problem-Solving Ability
• Should have planning and coordination skills
• Should have presentation skills

Education Qualification

Master’s Degree in Food Science/Food Processing/Food Engineering or related field required.