NPD Lead

This role is for one of the Weekday's clients

Salary range: Upto 1500000 (15 LPA)

Min Experience: 8 years

Location: Mumbai

JobType: full-time

As the NPD Lead, you will spearhead innovation in the food sector. From initial trials to nationwide commercial rollouts, you will translate consumer insights and global market trends into pioneering bakery and snack products.

This is a foundational role focused on building from the ground up — offering high autonomy, agility, and responsibility, while working closely with the founders to define the product development roadmap.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire product development process — from concept to commercial launch.
• Transform consumer insights and international trends into unique bakery and snack product innovations.
• Take full ownership of formulation, sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, regulatory adherence, and quality assurance.
• Coordinate pilot production runs and scale-up activities with co-packers and manufacturing partners.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and performance indicators for all NPD initiatives.
• Work in close collaboration with founders, brand, sourcing, and supply chain teams to enable rapid iteration and ensure a strong product-market fit.
• Establish and maintain long-term NPD systems, including documentation, processes, and a knowledge repository.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in Food R&D/NPD, preferably within bakery, biscuits, or snack categories.
• A degree in Food Science or Food Technology; a Master’s or PhD is highly advantageous.
• Proven track record of successfully advancing products from laboratory trials to national-level launches.
• In-depth knowledge of ingredients, formulations, sensory science, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience collaborating with co-packers or third-party units and scaling recipes for commercial production.
• A strong bias towards action and comfort working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial settings.

What We’re Looking For

• Passionate Innovator — Enthusiastic about food, emerging trends, ingredients, and experimentation.
• Confident Decision-Maker — Analytical and data-driven, yet comfortable making bold, intuitive decisions.
• Hands-On Builder — Excels in start-up environments; motivated to execute and deliver results.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset — Resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in overcoming challenges.
• Future Leader — Potential to grow into a Head of NPD role as the company expands.

Why Join Us

• Become our first NPD hire, enjoying unparalleled ownership and visibility.
• Develop products that will be enjoyed by millions of Indians every day.
• Collaborate directly with experienced founders and industry experts.
• Work within a culture that prioritizes speed, experimentation, and excellence.
• Contribute to shaping the future of India’s biscuit and snacking landscape.

Skills

Research and Development