Location: Surat (Gujarat), India

Employment Type: Full-Time (3-Month Contract, with potential extension)

Reports To: Founders / Chief Executive Officer

About the Organisation

The company is dedicated to developing next-generation plant-based nutrition and dairy-alternative products. They are committed to sustainability, nutrition-driven innovation, and high-quality production standards.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Head of Food Technology & Operations to oversee Food Technology, R&D, and production execution from concept to commercialization.

The candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s technical vision, building the manufacturing ecosystem, and driving product innovation across plant-based beverages and allied categories. The position combines leadership, hands-on execution, and strategic industry insight.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Leadership & Strategy

Serve as a senior member of the Executive Leadership Team, participating in long-term planning, facility development, and innovation strategy.
Work closely with the founders to define the technological roadmap for product development and scale-up.
Build and lead a high-performing R&D and Food Technology team, guiding hiring, capability building, and performance management.

2. Manufacturing Setup & Operational Execution

Leverage industry experience and professional network to onboard reliable suppliers, machinery partners, consultants, and process experts.
Ensure full compliance with regulatory and food safety frameworks such as FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, ISO, and international standards (USFDA, EFSA, Codex, etc.).

3. Budget Oversight & Cost Optimisation

Collaborate with finance and founders to monitor project budgets, installation costs, and operating expenses.
Recommend efficient process designs, procurement strategies, and production models that maintain quality while optimising cost.

4. Product Development & Innovation Leadership

Head the development of plant-based milks, flavoured beverages, protein/fortified drinks, creamers, tofu, and related products.
Prior experience in plant-based dairy is beneficial; strong backgrounds in RTD beverages, dairy, or functional foods are equally valued.
Drive pilot trials, sensory evaluations, formulation improvements, shelf-life enhancement, and commercial-scale production.

5. Business & Market Enablement

Use existing industry relationships to support B2B partnerships, co-manufacturing deals, and distribution agreements.
Provide technical expertise during customer discussions, especially for contract manufacturing and export clients.
Ensure product development is aligned with commercial goals, pricing realities, and market demand.

6. Export Readiness & Compliance

Oversee adherence to international standards, documentation, and certification requirements to ensure export viability.
Engage with regulatory agencies, certification bodies, and industry associations for continuous compliance and smooth global market entry.

Qualifications & Experience

Master’s / Ph.D. in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Food Science, or related field
15+ years of experience in food technology with significant exposure to RTD beverages, dairy, or functional/fortified products.
Prior experience in factory setup, process design, or new product launches is highly desirable.
Experience with international food safety regulations and export readiness.
Strong industry network with contacts among machinery vendors, raw material suppliers, and potential B2B buyers.
Strong expertise in formulations for RTD beverages, functional nutrition, proteins, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and fermentation processes.
Commercially aware, capable of aligning technical R&D with market and business goals.

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Head of Food Technology & Operations