R&D Dairy Technologist - Frozen Desserts and New Product Development

About the Role

MahaRudra Group, a pioneering food and dairy startup in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, seeks an experienced R&D Dairy Technologist to shape and establish its lineup of frozen dairy products. This role demands hands-on participation in both the laboratory and factory floor, focusing on developing diverse frozen dessert products that deliver on flavor, texture, and commercial viability.

Core Responsibilities

• Create and optimize formulations for various frozen dairy products with multiple flavors and formats, progressing from initial experimental trials to scalable retail-ready recipes.
• Ensure products meet targeted sensory characteristics such as texture, stability, and mouthfeel, maintaining consistent quality through freeze-thaw cycles and suitability for cold storage and production processes.
• Utilize natural sweeteners, probiotic cultures, and clean-label dairy ingredients to balance taste, functionality, and stability in frozen dairy applications.
• Establish and manage the R&D function including developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), batch documentation, product specifications, and evaluating suppliers while aligning with FSSAI standards applicable to frozen dairy products.
• Monitor evolving trends in frozen dairy products to create innovative, consumer-relevant concepts tailored for the Indian market.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Three to seven years of practical experience in dairy-related R&D, especially in frozen product development or associated food manufacturing, acquired within operational plants or laboratories.
• Thorough knowledge of dairy fermentation processes, management of starter cultures, and the application of stabilizers and emulsifiers specific to frozen dairy formulations.
• Hands-on experience handling natural and alternative sweetening systems, tackling challenges such as flavor balance, masking, and effects on product texture.
• Comprehensive understanding of cold chain logistics, frozen storage parameters, and compliance with FSSAI regulations for dairy and frozen products.
• Strong initiative and ability to work autonomously on the production floor in an intensive, hands-on environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with probiotic dairy items including cultured, fermented, or functional forms.
• Experience in developing clean-label formulations free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
• Knowledge of international standards for frozen dessert products or export-quality dairy items.
• Experience in establishing pilot-scale R&D laboratories or small dairy production setups.
• Understanding of high-protein or health-focused frozen dairy products.

Applicant Profile

• Candidates who possess verified dairy or frozen dessert R&D work experience beyond theoretical knowledge, ideally in manufacturing or pilot environments.
• Proactive and self-reliant professionals capable of thriving in an early-stage startup setup without close supervision.
• Individuals passionate about building a food brand and product catalogue from inception.
• Candidates willing to commit to full-time, onsite work in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, as remote or hybrid options are not available.