Head - R&D and Innovation

About iD Fresh Food

iD was founded in 2005, to ensure that people around the world gets access to fresh, nutritious & delicious Indian food. With an unwavering vision to preserve traditional, home-made cuisine & a focus on making the process of cooking fun & effortless, iD today serves homes across India, Middle East, US and UK.

Company size-2300+

Website- https://www.idfreshfood.com/

Founder- PC Musthafa [IIM Bangalore, NIT Alumnus, is hailed as the Breakfast King of India for offering a wide array of fresh, home-made & ready to cook food items]

No. of Manufacturing Plants- 5

Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka (Whitefield)

Funded by Premji Invest- Azim Premji's Investment arm and NewQuest, iD Fresh manufactures 55,000 kg of idly/dosa batter every day and delivers it to over 30,000 retail outlets. The company's product range has grown to include a wide range of fresh ready-to-cook foods including Squeeze and Fry Vada Batter, South Indian Filter Coffee decoction, Ragi Idly/Dosa batter, Natural Paneer and Malabar Parota among others. The company has also launched an organic product line and will soon be converting its entire operations to organic.

About the Operational Model

As our product is different from others, so is our business model. All our fresh products are made for the day they are shipped to retail stores. We have zero finished goods inventory, and hence no intermediary stockists or transitory warehouses. This is possible only with the help of an inhouse fleet of vehicles and distribution personnel. Currently a fleet of 500+ dedicated vehicles and crew touch 30,000 retailers daily and replenish 100,000+ Kgs units of the freshest produce.

Job Overview:

The General Manager of R&D and Innovation is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight to both the Research and Development (R&D), Innovation and Quality departments within the organization. This position requires a deep understanding of food science, quality control principles, and regulatory requirements to drive innovation while ensuring the safety, quality, and compliance of food products.

[Note: Need first-hand experience and knowledge of new age automation and AI capability in manufacturing and machine tech and good knowledge of food technology.]

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the R&D and Quality strategy aligned with the overall business objectives.
• Led cross-functional teams to drive innovation, product development, and process improvements.
• Provide guidance and direction to R&D and Quality teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

Research and Development

• Lead R&D initiatives to develop new food products, formulations, and recipes that meet consumer preferences, market trends, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including marketing, operations, and sales, to identify market opportunities and translate consumer insights into innovative products.
• Manage product development projects from concept to commercialization, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

Quality Assurance and Control

• Establish and maintain robust quality management systems and procedures to ensure compliance with food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, HACCP, GMP).
• Implement quality control measures throughout the manufacturing process, from raw material sourcing to finished product distribution.
• Conduct regular audits, inspections, and testing to monitor product quality, identify non-conformances, and implement corrective actions.

Regulatory Compliance

• Stay abreast of food safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices to ensure compliance with relevant requirements.

Team Development and Management

• Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of R&D and Quality professionals, including food scientists, technicians, and quality assurance specialists.
• Conduct training programs and workshops to enhance employee skills and knowledge in food science, quality management, and regulatory compliance.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including senior management, production, procurement, and supply chain, to ensure alignment of R&D and Quality initiatives with business goals.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, and regulatory agencies, to build strategic relationships and address quality-related issues.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, seminars, and trade shows to showcase R&D innovations and quality assurance practices.

Qualifications:

• Masters/Bachelor's or advanced degree in food science, food engineering, Dairy or a related field..
• Extensive experience (typically 15+ years) in R&D and quality management roles within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, quality management systems, and industry standards (e.g., FSMA, SQF, BRC).
• Proven track record of driving innovation in food product development, formulation, and commercialization.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and leading projects from concept to commercialization.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with a commitment to continuous improvement and quality excellence and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Interested

If this role sounds like you, then apply with us! You have plenty of room for growth at iD.