Research And Development Manager

Job Description

Role Overview: We are looking for a hands-on and technically strong R&D Manager who will lead product innovation and development in UHT and retort-processed plant-based beverages . This role requires a deep understanding of formulation, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies to create stable, great-tasting, clean-label products. Roles & Responsibilities: Lead end-to-end R&D for UHT and retortable plant-based beverages such as juices, milks, and nutritional drinks. Create clean-label, shelf-stable formulations that deliver on taste, texture, and nutritional value. Design, execute, and evaluate lab and pilot-scale trials for continuous product refinement. Optimize the use of stabilizers, gums (e.g., gellan, guar, locust bean), emulsifiers, proteins, and sweeteners in beverage formulations. Collaborate with flavor and ingredient houses to source innovative and sustainable ingredients. Stay updated on global trends in plant-based and functional ingredients to drive innovation. Ensure compatibility of formulations with UHT, HTST, and retort processing technologies. Work closely with manufacturing units and co-packers to scale up production from pilot to commercial batches. Conduct comprehensive shelf-life studies covering microbial, sensory, and functional parameters. Troubleshoot technical issues such as phase separation, sedimentation, and flavor loss. Develop preservative-free yet stable formulations wherever feasible. Ensure all formulations and processes comply with FSSAI and relevant export regulations. Maintain detailed documentation of all R&D activities, including trials, formulations, and ingredient specifications. Collaborate with marketing, QA, procurement, operations, and packaging teams to ensure smooth and successful product launches. Desired Candidate Profile: B.Tech / M.Tech / MSc in Food Technology, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology, or related fields Minimum 5 years of R&D experience focused on plant-based or dairy-alternative beverages Proven track record in UHT and retort beverage formulation and development Hands-on experience with stabilizers, emulsifiers, gums (gellan, guar, locust bean), proteins, and flavor systems Skilled in developing clean-label and preservative-free formulations Experience scaling formulations from lab and pilot trials to commercial production Strong knowledge of food chemistry and ingredient behavior under thermal processing (UHT, HTST, retort) Ability to design and conduct shelf-life and stability studies (microbial, sensory, and functional) Excellent project management, documentation, and trial execution capabilities Familiarity with regulatory requirements such as FSSAI and export compliance Experience working closely with ingredient suppliers, flavor houses, co-packers, and packaging teams Knowledge of sustainability trends and minimal processing in the food industry (nice to have) Experience with Tetra Pak or other aseptic packaging systems (nice to have) Familiarity with various plant-based raw materials such as oats, almonds, millets, soy, etc. (nice to have)