Manager New product develpment

Company Description Reitzel is a Swiss specialist in pickles and condiments, founded in 1909 by Hugo Reitzel and headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland. Reitzel India operates a state-of-the-art facility on an 11-acre site in Kunigal, approximately 60 km from Bangalore, producing high-quality pickled gherkins, peppers, and baby corn under the Hugo Reitzel brand. The company has expanded its portfolio with clean label products, free from artificial ingredients, reflecting a strong commitment to healthy living. Reitzel’s pickles are crafted to enhance taste and act as palette cleansers, making them ideal condiments to complement a variety of foods. The company maintains high standards in food safety and purity, ensuring 100% traceability through contract farming and supporting farmers via Fairtrade practices.

Role Description The Manager New Product Development role is a full-time, on-site position based at the Kunigal facility. This role is responsible for leading end-to-end new product development initiatives, from concept generation and feasibility analysis to formulation, testing, and commercialization of pickles and other vegetables. The manager collaborates with cross-functional teams in R&D, quality, production, procurement, and marketing to align product features with market needs and regulatory requirements. Daily responsibilities include managing NPD pipelines and timelines, overseeing pilot trials, optimizing recipes for cost and quality, and ensuring adherence to food safety and clean label standards. The role also involves monitoring trends in consumer preferences, coordinating with suppliers and farmers on raw material specifications, and preparing documentation and reports for internal reviews and audits.

Qualifications

• Strong product development and R&D skills in food processing, including experience with formulation, sensory evaluation, and shelf-life studies.
• Knowledge of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance relevant to processed foods.
• Project management abilities, including planning, timeline management, and cross-functional coordination.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into product improvements.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills to work closely with production, marketing, and suppliers.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Agriculture, or a related discipline.
• Prior experience in new product development within the food industry, preferably in pickles or processed vegetables.
• Comfort working on-site in a manufacturing environment and collaborating with factory personnel.