Smitha Jayaram
Associate Director-ZITEC
Bengaluru,Karnataka
Summary
Dynamic and visionary R&D leader with over 19+ years of experience in the FMCG industry. Proven track record of driving innovation and delivering breakthrough products. Strong emphasis on consumer-focused innovation and process optimization. Highly motivated and adaptable professional, skilled at managing multiple priorities and embracing new challenges. Possesses a positive attitude and a proactive approach to meeting team goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Asscociate Director-ZITEC
Anheuser-Busch
02.2023 - Current
- Lead the research and development function, managing a cross-disciplinary team to drive innovation strategy by identifying new technologies, formulations, and processes to enhance product pipelines and VE initiatives
- Collaborate with key stakeholders across the company, including marketing, product management, and manufacturing, to align R&D efforts with business objectives.
- Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation to commercialization, ensuring that all new products meet regulatory, safety, and market requirements.
- Manage relationships with external partners, including academic institutions, industry associations, and suppliers, to drive collaborative innovation and stay ahead of industry trends.
Senior Manager- R&D Beverages
Tata Consumer Products Limited
Bengaluru
09.2018 - 01.2023
- Managed large-scale projects of new formats and value-added beverages (Tea, Coffee, RTD's, plant-based, grain/cereal-based drinks), and successfully introduced 20 + new products.
- Developed new strategic partners and built a positive work relationship in order to assist R&D with the development of new products, line extension, cost reduction, and product quality improvement.
- Promoted use of new technologies, industry-leading trends, sensory methodologies, new tools for effectively managing new product development activities.
- Consistently met or exceeded annual performance targets set by senior leadership
Global Project Manager
Tata Consumer Products
Bengaluru
11.2017 - 09.2018
- Oversaw global product development and partner relationships and ensured the successful delivery of project activities associated with innovation and high complexity projects, including 3P and contract manufacture search and selection.
- Improved cross-functional team collaboration through effective communication strategies and regular progress meetings.
- Streamlined global project management processes by implementing standardized tools and methodologies.
- Reduced project risks through comprehensive risk assessments, contingency planning, and proactive issue resolution.
Senior Manager-R&D
Diageo
Bengaluru
10.2015 - 11.2017
- Lead NPD for delivering multiple disruptive, recruit and re-recruit Innovation and renovation projects (RC-Xtra Bold, McDowell Silk, RC Bolt, Captain Morgan, and Platinum) to deliver as per Gate schedule and within budget constraint.
- Worked closely with Innovation Marketing in identifying the H1 to H3 product pipelines and built R&D capability for future products in pipelines.
- Managed Gate process and ensured strong communication to update major stakeholders on timelines, oversee risk, and facilitate completion of the projects on schedule, meeting KPIs of scope and cost without rework and recall.
Liquid Scientist-R&D
Bacardi
Mysore
11.2010 - 10.2015
- Instrumental in setting up of New Product Development Centre for Bacardi India.
- End-to-end product development from concept to commercialization for new products- Breezers, flavored Rum, whiskey RTD's.
- Defined process in line with global protocol on shelf life, sensory trainings, analytical tests, specifications, manufacturing process, HACCP, and recipe tool management.
- Ensured smooth project handovers from R&D teams to full-scale production facilities by sharing valuable insights and best practices derived from pilot plant operations.
- Participated in ISO and FSSAI audits, showcasing compliance with regulatory requirements.
Senior Executive-QA/QC
Bacardi
05.2008 - 11.2010
- Executed line measures like defect measurement system (DFC) and statistical process controls to minimize rejections/wastage during production and brought EOL to 99% and RFT to 98.5%.
- Implemented ISO 9001:2008 and HACCP, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), GMP, and QC tool method.
- Technical support for new or emerging units in India.
- Ensured products delivered to market are compliant in all aspects, including BIS, legal metrology, state excise, etc.
- Regular training for sensory panel members and shop floor workers on hygiene, line inspections, packaging materials, and other Quality-related trainings.
Education
Ph.D. - Biochemistry
Central Food Technological Research Institute
Mysore 04.2024 - 06.2024
Master of Science - Biochemistry
University of Mysore
Mysore 01.1999 - 08.2001
Skills
Product Development
Project Management & multitasking
Analytical & problem-solving
Quality Control & Assurance
Agile, proactive and enthusiastic
Understanding of a multi-faceted business operation
Accomplishments
- Instrumental in setting up of New Product Development Centre for Bacardi
- Successful development and commercialization of products for reputed brands for Bacardi, Diageo and Tata Consumer Products.
- 8 publications, 2 patents and 11 poster presentations at International Symposiums and Conferences.
- TCPL Going above and Beyond appreciation award at R&D meet 2021
- TCPL Great Job Café award -2020 & 2022 for exceptional contribution.
- Diageo Innovation Gold Award for two consecutive years 2016 & 2017.
- Diageo Generative Mind Set Award- 2017
- Senior research fellowship from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi.
- Merit Award for poster presentation at 3rd National symposium on venoms and toxins, Mysore, January 2004.
- First prize in Poster presentation at ICFOST-2005.
Training
- Project management professional -PMI training at ExcelR institute
- Sensory Techniques and descriptors training, Givaudan
- Product Development training at Bacardi-Martini B.V, Jacksonville, USA and Diageo Technical Centre, Singapore.
- Flavor compounding and localization, Symrise, Singapore
- Training on 5S from SGS
- Training on SPC and 7 quality tools from GQS
- Training on ISO 9001:2008 from DNV
- Internal Auditor Training on ISO 9000 -Integrated Management System
Languages
kannada
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
Ph.D. - Biochemistry
Central Food Technological Research Institute
04.2024 - 06.2024
Asscociate Director-ZITEC
Anheuser-Busch
02.2023 - Current
Senior Manager- R&D Beverages
Tata Consumer Products Limited
09.2018 - 01.2023
Global Project Manager
Tata Consumer Products
11.2017 - 09.2018
Senior Manager-R&D
Diageo
10.2015 - 11.2017
Liquid Scientist-R&D
Bacardi
11.2010 - 10.2015
Senior Executive-QA/QC
Bacardi
05.2008 - 11.2010
Master of Science - Biochemistry
University of Mysore
01.1999 - 08.2001
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