Why Choose Food Research Lab's FRL as Your Food Product Development (FPD) Consultant and Partner?

There are several options in almost every product area in today’s market, and the difficulty is in coming up with unique items that stand out and connect with customers. Food Research Lab's Food Research Lab takes a holistic approach to creating food and beverage products. We define, demographically target, and build effective goods through a sequential process for category selection and comprehension. The client can visit the lab to learn the process. We offer unlimited rounds of revisions to ensure customer satisfaction. The final product prototype, along with the documentation process, including the video (through email), will be shipped to the client, and in case the client is not satisfied with the video, a food technology consultant will visit the place for the product demo at the client’s costs.

What are the different forms that you deliver the Food Product Formulations?

The food industry is witnessing a new form of consumption. Keeping that in mind, we can formulate the products in the form of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix, ready-to-serve, and ready-to-cook food products. We use ingredients that offer an added value to the development and improve its indulgence and sustainability in terms of its functional ingredients, plant-based food dyes, and natural preservatives with a clean label.

What are the sectors Food Research Lab cover?

We cover a wide range of sectors such as soups, sauces and dips, chips, tortillas, dry beverage powder, plant-based products, masalas, puddings, instant mixes and many more.

How is sensory testing been carried out?

Our sensory examination leads to the precise formulation and recipe recommendations. We develop data-driven design models based on sensory research and customer insights. The fact-based design methodology used by Food Research Lab reduces risk and gives our clients market confidence while cutting development time in half. With our dedicated sensory lab facility, our team takes satisfaction in creating and optimizing successful products in the marketplace, generating a favourable return on investment, and developing brand advocates.

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Sourcing & Procurement, NPD, Ingredients, NPD

Food Research Lab – Sourcing & Procurement, NPD, Ingredients, NPD

Job Function/Role Summary:

This role will be based in Chennai and The Sourcing & Procurement, New Product Development (NPD), and Ingredients Specialist at FRL is responsible for leading the sourcing and procurement of raw materials and ingredients essential for new product development across various food, nutraceutical, and pet food categories. This role involves close collaboration with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Production teams to ensure that all sourced ingredients meet the required specifications and regulatory standards. The specialist will also manage supplier relationships, oversee procurement processes, and contribute to the continuous improvement of sourcing strategies to support innovative product development. .

Required Qualification:

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Food Science, Nutrition, Business Administration, or a related field is required.

A master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Food Science, Supply Chain Management, or Procurement, is preferred.

Certifications in Supply Chain Management (e.g., CSCP, CPSM) or Quality Assurance (e.g., HACCP) are an advantage.

Required Experience:

Industry Experience:

Minimum of 0 to 1 years of experience in sourcing and procurement, preferably within the food, nutraceutical, or pet food industries.

Proven experience in new product development (NPD) with a focus on ingredient sourcing and procurement.

Experience in managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and overseeing logistics and shipping processes.

Technical Expertise:

Strong understanding of ingredient specifications, quality standards, and regulatory compliance (FSSAI, FDA, EU, etc.).

Experience with ERP systems for managing procurement and inventory processes.

Project Management:

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines and ensuring quality.

Job Position code: JD-PEF-SAC-CBD-002
Segment: Manufacturers, and Start-ups
Sector: Food & Beverages
Job Title: Food & Beverages Formulation Specialists
Department: Food Research Lab
Reports To: FRL Business Operations Head

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Raw Material Procurement: Lead the procurement of raw materials, including essential micro-ingredients and additives for companion animal product manufacturing, focusing on cost-effectiveness, quality, and prompt delivery. Supervise and guide the sourcing team, providing necessary training and support.

Logistics and Shipping: Oversee the logistics of raw materials, managing customs clearance and coordinating the domestic and international shipping of finished goods, ensuring all regulatory and logistical requirements are met efficiently.

Vendor Management: Build and nurture strong relationships with suppliers, covering office supplies, raw materials, logistics, and warehousing. Negotiate favorable terms, pricing, and contracts to enhance purchasing decisions and ensure timely delivery and high-quality materials.

Coordination with Quality Assurance: Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to verify that all incoming raw materials and equipment conform to required standards and specifications, ensuring alignment with product formulations and maintaining quality consistency.

Budget Management: Oversee budgets related to sourcing, procurement, and office operations, providing regular updates to the CEO and other key stakeholders to ensure accurate budget tracking and financial management.

Procurement Process Improvement: Identify and lead procurement improvement initiatives aimed at reducing costs in direct spending categories. Collaborate with national and global ingredient teams to drive efficiencies and optimize procurement strategies.

Supplier Relationships and Negotiation: Develop and manage key regional supplier relationships, establish new vendor agreements, and negotiate contracts to optimize procurement outcomes. Assess supplier performance using KPIs such as quality, reliability, and delivery, implementing corrective actions when necessary.

Shipping of End Products: Coordinate with logistics partners to manage the shipping of end products to customers, ensuring timely and accurate delivery. Work closely with the logistics team to streamline the delivery process and meet customer expectations.

Market Intelligence and Trends: Stay informed about local and global market trends, pricing fluctuations, and regulatory changes that impact ingredient sourcing. Leverage this information to refine procurement strategies and maintain a competitive edge.

Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing: Engage in supply chain sustainability and ethical sourcing initiatives, ensuring that all procurement activities support FRL’s commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.

ERP and Data Management: Ensure accurate and timely data entry in the ERP system, including vendor databases and invoices. Focus on meeting client deadlines for raw material procurement, with timely closures and adherence to Certificate of Analysis (COA) requirements as key performance metrics.

This role is ideal for a dynamic professional with a passion for sourcing and procurement, and a strong interest in supporting innovative product development through effective ingredient management and supply chain optimization.

Skills Required:

Project Management & Organizational Skills: Exceptional ability to manage multiple client-driven projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications.

Creative and Technical Expertise: Strong creative and technical skills, with the ability to innovate and develop customized food and beverage products that meet client specifications while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Client-Focused Collaboration & Communication: Highly adept at working closely with clients, understanding their needs, and effectively communicating and collaborating to develop products that meet their expectations. Comfortable establishing and maintaining strong client relationships throughout the development process.