Food Technology, Food Science Candidates Apply For Product Development Executive at ITC Limited, Apply Online

Role Purpose/Summary

This role supports new product development initiatives designed to create the robust pipeline of innovations across categories to meet the short and the long-term priorities of the brand. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in a similar role and be eager to be part of the product development of beverages.

Product development executive will be responsible for the design and implementation of new products and/or technologies or the improvement of existing products and/or technologies; prepares and coordinates projects according to established schedules and costs; ensures that the company standards of quality are met.

The PD Executive may serve for multiple small-to-mid-sized projects. Some projects require co-owning projects with more experienced

product development team. The individual will provide strong technical support for commercialization and apply expertise to grow the business.  The associate influences the business by bringing solutions that have business impact.  Effectively uses technical and business expertise to explain difficult concepts to technical and non-technical audiences, tailoring communications to meet diverse needs.

Reporting to: Deputy Manager (Product Development Juice)

Requirements:

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Engineering and related field
• Must possess at least 3-4 years successful experience in product development and implementation in the beverage industry specially Refreshing and Energy Drinks
• Basic knowledge and ability to apply flavours, stabilisers & other key ingredients
• Endurance & Flexibility: Willingness and ability to occasionally function effectively over extended periods of time.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, presentation skills
• Must be have moderate knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Good team player
• Self-starter and self-motivating

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop new products from bench top to commercialization while staying within specified parameters of cost and label claims; evaluate new ingredients, verify nutritional profiles, and conduct product or packaging stability assessments to deliver against design.
• Develop new process parameters and implement at plant whenever required
• Investigate, analyse, and execute new product/process improvement and cost savings opportunities.
• Manage documentation and records in order to ensure that they are complete, current, secure and easily retrievable. This may include designing, organizing or maintaining technical or regulatory records and reports.
• Identify, classify, maintain, and protect files, documentation and sensitive information consistent with record handling and retention requirements. Record data from analyses or experiments in a computer, log book or laboratory notebook.
• Self-training to keep abreast of developing technologies, lifestyle & nutritional trends to maintain a competitive edge.
• Development of lab scale prototypes, producing pilot plans for both beverage-based parts and final products.  Prepares beverages and conducts analytical tests on taste and/or odour according to sensory guidelines, including qualifying taste panellists.
• Provides expertise and recommendations of best practices for production of beverage-based part or finished products during production trials with the plants or partners, which includes consulting line managers as appropriate on milestones and general guidelines and proactively provides advice inside & outside R&D community.
• Participates in team projects, interdepartmental/divisional committees or company-wide initiatives in order to share information, represent the department/division perspective or assist with product development, process modification, package development and marketing.
• Leverages prior education, suppliers and literature to innovate within scope of briefs provided by other technical experts or supervisor.
• Applies food science knowledge of ingredients, packaging, processing to assure safe and high-quality products.
• Participates in commercialization scale test at manufacturing line with QA and commercialization team if needed.

APPLY ONLINE

Possible Interview Questions for the role of Product Development Executive -Juices at ITC Limited:

1. Can you explain your experience in new product development within the beverage industry, specifically in refreshing and energy drinks? Answer: In my previous roles, I have successfully developed and implemented new products in the beverage industry, with a particular focus on refreshing and energy drinks. I have experience in formulating and applying flavors, stabilizers, and other key ingredients to create innovative and appealing beverage products.
2. How do you ensure that new product development projects stay within specified parameters of cost and label claims? Answer: When developing new products, I prioritize cost control and adherence to label claims. I carefully evaluate new ingredients, verify nutritional profiles, and conduct product or packaging stability assessments to ensure that the final product aligns with the defined cost targets and meets all label claim requirements.
3. Can you discuss your approach to identifying and executing new product/process improvement opportunities? Answer: I actively investigate and analyze potential new product/process improvement opportunities. I assess various factors, such as consumer trends, market demands, and technological advancements, to identify areas for enhancement. By conducting thorough research, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and leveraging my expertise, I execute improvements that drive cost savings and enhance product performance.
4. How do you ensure documentation and records are organized and up-to-date in a product development role? Answer: Maintaining comprehensive and up-to-date documentation is essential in product development. I have a strong track record of managing and organizing technical and regulatory records and reports. I ensure that all documentation is complete, secure, easily retrievable, and in compliance with record handling and retention requirements.
5. Can you provide an example of how you have utilized your food science knowledge to assure safe and high-quality products? Answer: As a product development executive, I apply my food science knowledge to assure the safety and quality of products. This includes understanding the interactions between ingredients, packaging, and processing techniques. By leveraging this knowledge, I implement best practices, conduct rigorous testing, and adhere to quality standards to ensure that the products meet the highest safety and quality standards.

Remember, these are sample questions, and you can modify them or add more based on the specific requirements and focus areas of the job.

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