R&D Manager

WE ARE HIRING: R&D Manager 

Location: Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India
Employment Type: Full Time | On-Site
Industry: Food Processing / Coconut Processing / Food Ingredients / FMCG Manufacturing 

Role Overview 

We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead research and product development initiatives within a growing food manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for driving new product development, customer-specific formulations, process optimization, packaging development, and shelf-life studies. The successful candidate will work closely with production, quality, and commercial teams to develop innovative coconut-based products and support business growth in international markets. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ideation, formulation, and development of new coconut-based products aligned with market trends and customer requirements.
• Develop product variants including coconut milk, coconut cream, reduced-fat, organic, fortified, and customized ingredient blends.
• Manage the complete new product development lifecycle from concept to commercialization.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to identify market opportunities and translate customer requirements into product specifications.
• Maintain and manage a structured product development pipeline.
• Develop and customize formulations based on customer requirements including fat content, viscosity, flavor profile, and microbiological specifications.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot-scale trials and manage product testing and feedback processes.
• Prepare product specification sheets, technical data sheets (TDS), and safety data sheets (SDS).
• Support technical discussions with international customers and stakeholders.
• Evaluate and improve manufacturing processes including extraction, pasteurization, UHT processing, homogenization, and aseptic filling.
• Identify opportunities to improve yield, reduce waste, and enhance product consistency.
• Work with production and engineering teams on process scale-up, equipment trials, and new line commissioning activities.
• Design and execute process trials, analyze results, and implement validated improvements.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, batch records, and technical documentation.
• Design and execute real-time and accelerated shelf-life studies.
• Evaluate product stability under different storage, temperature, and packaging conditions.
• Monitor microbiological, chemical, and sensory parameters throughout stability studies.
• Maintain shelf-life study records and ensure timely completion of ongoing projects.
• Evaluate and develop packaging solutions including aseptic pouches, Tetra Pak, cans, PET bottles, and bulk packaging.
• Conduct packaging compatibility and migration studies.
• Collaborate with packaging suppliers to assess new materials and technologies.
• Support packaging development initiatives for new product launches and manufacturing upgrades.

Candidate Profile

• B.Tech / B.Sc in Food Technology, Food Science, Dairy Technology, or a related discipline.
• M.Tech / M.Sc in Food Science, Food Technology, or Dairy Technology will be strongly preferred.
• 5-7 years of hands-on R&D experience in food processing, product development, formulation, or process improvement.
• Direct experience with coconut milk, coconut cream, or coconut-based food ingredients is strongly preferred.
• Experience in UHT processing, aseptic manufacturing, or dairy processing will be an advantage.
• Proven experience taking products from formulation through to successful commercial scale-up.
• Experience conducting shelf-life studies and preparing technical documentation for export markets.
• Strong technical knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, sensory evaluation, and food processing technologies.
• Hands-on experience in bench trials, pilot-scale trials, and plant trials.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and export market requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with production, quality, procurement, and commercial teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Candidates with coconut industry experience from Sri Lanka or India will be highly preferred.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead and build a growing R&D function.
• Exposure to innovation across a diverse portfolio of coconut-based food ingredients.
• Participation in new processing line commissioning and product development projects.
• Competitive remuneration package based on experience and expertise.
• Long-term career opportunity within a high-growth organization.

Ready to take your career to new heights? 

We're InTalent Asia, your go-to recruitment partner, and we've got an exciting opportunity for you! 

Our client is looking for a skilled individual to fill the role of R&D Manager. 

Apply now and see how you can be the perfect fit for this exclusive position!

#InTalentAsia #CareerOpportunity #JobVacancy #RDManager #FoodTechnology #FoodScience #ProductDevelopment #FoodProcessing #CoconutIndustry #FoodManufacturing #Innovation #ElevateYourCareer