Senior Executive- New Product Development
Senior Executive – New Product Development (NPD)
Company: Mishtighar
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal
Experience: Minimum 4+ Years
Employment Type: Full-time
Work Mode: Work From Office (WFO)
Working Days: 5 Days a Week
About Mishtighar
Mishtighar is an emerging FMCG and D2C brand focused on delivering quality food products and creating delightful consumer experiences. We are looking for an experienced and result-oriented professional to join our team as a Senior Executive – New Product Development, who will drive product innovation, develop new product offerings and contribute to the brand's growth in the competitive food and beverage market.
Role Overview
The Senior Executive – NPD will be responsible for conceptualising, developing and launching new products in line with consumer preferences, market trends and business objectives. The role will involve working closely with cross-functional teams, vendors, manufacturers and internal stakeholders to ensure successful product development, quality standards, cost optimisation and timely product launches.
Key Responsibilities
1. New Product Development & Innovation
- Identify new product opportunities based on market trends, consumer preferences and competitor analysis.
- Conceptualise and develop innovative food and beverage products aligned with the brand's vision and business strategy.
- Work on product formulation, ingredient selection, recipe development and product improvement.
- Conduct trials, sampling and sensory evaluations to finalise product specifications.
- Drive the complete product development lifecycle, from ideation and prototyping to commercialisation and launch.2. Market Research & Consumer Insights
- Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, consumer demands and product gaps.
- Analyse competitor products, pricing, packaging, positioning and market performance.
- Identify opportunities for product differentiation and portfolio expansion.
- Gather consumer feedback and translate insights into actionable product development initiatives.3. Vendor & Manufacturing Coordination
- Identify, evaluate and coordinate with vendors, suppliers and third-party manufacturers.
- Coordinate product trials, pilot batches and commercial production.
- Ensure the availability and suitability of raw materials and packaging components.
- Work closely with manufacturing partners to ensure product consistency, scalability and cost efficiency.4. Quality, Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure that developed products meet defined quality, taste, texture, shelf-life and safety parameters.
- Coordinate with quality teams to establish product specifications and quality benchmarks.
- Ensure adherence to applicable FSSAI regulations, food safety standards and labelling requirements.
- Maintain product development records, formulations, technical specifications and related documentation.5. Costing & Commercialisation
- Prepare product costing and work towards achieving target margins.
- Evaluate raw material, packaging, manufacturing and logistics costs.
- Work with internal stakeholders to ensure commercial viability before product launches.
- Monitor product performance post-launch and recommend improvements wherever required.6. Cross-functional Collaboration
- Coordinate with Marketing, Sales, Procurement, Operations, Quality and Supply Chain teams.
- Provide technical inputs for product positioning, packaging development and go-to-market planning.
- Ensure timely execution of product development and launch timelines.
- Track project milestones and provide regular updates to management.Required Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Engineering, Dairy Technology or a related discipline.
- Minimum 4+ years of relevant experience in New Product Development within the FMCG industry, preferably in the Food & Beverage sector.
- Hands-on experience in product formulation, recipe development, product trials and commercialisation.
- Good understanding of food ingredients, processing techniques, shelf-life assessment and food safety standards.
- Knowledge of FSSAI regulations and food product labelling requirements.
- Experience in vendor coordination, product costing and manufacturing processes.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple product development projects and deliver within defined timelines.Preferred Candidate Profile
- Candidates with prior experience in food processing, packaged foods, confectionery, bakery, dairy, snacks or other FMCG food categories will be preferred.
- Experience in launching products for D2C or consumer-facing food brands will be an added advantage.
- Should demonstrate a strong understanding of consumer behaviour, product innovation and commercial feasibility.
- Must be proactive, detail-oriented and comfortable working in a fast-paced business environment.What We Are Looking For
An innovation-driven professional with a strong understanding of the food and FMCG industry, who can translate consumer insights into commercially viable products and contribute meaningfully to the growth and expansion of Mishtighar's product portfolio.