Reading, writing, scientific research, Travelling, cooking Fitness
Neelu Khurana
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, QUALITYA SSURANCE, FOOD SAFETY, HYGIENE, REGULATORY
Greater Noida West
Summary
Dynamic, Multitasker, experienced food industry professional specializing in new product development, food safety, and quality assurance. Delivered over 105 successful SKUs while maintaining compliance with rigorous Global food safety standards. Implemented innovative solutions to streamline supply chains and improve product quality through cross-functional collaboration. Strong technical understanding of Products, process & parameters Extensive work done on wheat rheology for bakery & refined flour/ wheat-based products , Dairy, extrusion & flat breads & beverages
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
4
4
Languages
Work History
Head QA & regulatory
Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt Ltd
03.2025 - Current
- Responsible for ensuring product & process quality for Domestic and export products (FMCG Business) including Copacks
- Working in close coordination with R&D, Marketing, Sales, purchase, Supply chain, IT and finance
- Directly responsible for people, process & product Hygiene.
- 100% Microbiological compliance by Hygiene no preservative/ additive / chemical-based achievement
- Leading QA Automation & Digitalization For all manufacturing units & exports
- Representing Haldiram in all regulatory & Food Safety summits
- Complaint management for the brand and its automation with targeted reduction
- Maintain safe working environments to reduce accident risks.
- Leading & Driving Audits, GEMBA, Trainings (with TNI & TNA and Skill Will matrix )
- Working very closely with Suppliers and factory team to ensure consistency of the RM for the perfect product
- Strengthening QA team, Line management, floor supervision, hygiene and compliance
- Ensuring compliance with EGA
- Effectively participating in cost saving & optimization cost.
- FMCG, EXTRUSION BASED PRODUCTS, WESTERN SNACKS, TRADITIONAL NAMKEENS, FROZEN RANGE & SWEETS, ECOM
Director NPD and QA
House of Spices India
12.2021 - 03.2025
- Handling NPD and QA for USA, Australia, Canada UK, India, Pakistan, Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, and some parts of Europe, reporting to COO.
- Responsible for Oversees Audits, vendor development
- Key Result Area: product Development, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Plant Quality, Packaging Quality, 3P Quality, SC & Market Quality, Agronomy Quality.
- FSMA, FSVP, proposition 65, PFA, Costco, USFDA compliance, FSSC, BRC certifications, Whole grain, NON-GMO, Organic, AHA and ADA, Kosher and Halal certifications.
- Highlights: Launched more than 7 product categories with multiple SKU (more than 105) very successfully with outstanding sales numbers.
- Effective resolution of key customer complaint and export complaints.
- Lead the Packaging quality for site & achieved Saving of 65 Lac in the packaging related sales claim from distribution channel in F22 as compared to F21.
- Implementation of FM control Plan (Good Catch System) at 3P & Agronomy.
- PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Identification of New product, Sign off from Key stakeholders, Ideation to Trial, Arrangement of the raw materials- identifying potential vendors, Vendor identification and approval, Costing, Packaging, Formulation, Shelf life, NFT finalization, Sensory evaluation, commercial and inhouse, Factory productions and launch, Placements, Sale tracking, reinventing or remodeling of existing products, Certification of the products.
- QUALITY ASSURANCE: Maintaining open communication with all departments to address the identification of food safety and quality issues and continuous improvement opportunities, Design and implement stringent quality management systems to enhance quality of products & ensure compliance with quality and food standards, Close coordination with plant team according to maintain HOS Global Food Safety, customer/ consumer expectation and regulatory requirements.
- Leads packaging improvement cross-functional team of India revamped the packaging culture and achieved the reduction of customer complaint significantly. Laid down revised specifications for laminates and corrugated boxes.
- Contributes to supplier selection and supplier qualification program, conducts supplier approval audit.
- SUPPLY CHAIN QUALITY: Lead food safety and quality system requirement in food supply chain including, warehouses, transportation and distribution centers, Conduct market survey, collects market sample of HOS Foods and Competitor sample from different markets analyze and share detailed market sample & competitor sample analysis report.
- Manage and review QA functioning and food safety requirement in commercial quality, Works as a subject matter expert and interface with supply chain and sales with regard to Quality and Food Safety requirement in market place, Assess the maturity of quality and food safety in supply chain by conducting annual DC audit and annual transporters audits, Take charge of closure of non – conformities raised in annual audits and effectiveness of closures.
- THIRD PARTY MANUFACTURING: Ensures that product manufactured at 3P location is in line with requirement of HOS Foods Standards and customer/ consumer expectation, Leading the NPD and QA aspect of New product establishment and approval, Ensures HOS standards are implemented effectively, there is no adverse quality incident (AQI) at 3P manufacturing, Validate the control and monitoring plan at 3P manufacturing location, closely observe and report quality performance matrix.
Head Corporate Quality Assurance- QSR Business
Haldiram Marketing Pvt Ltd
07.2014 - 11.2021
- Led a team of 48 direct reportees, overseeing quality assurance and food safety management across multiple production units and restaurants, ensuring complete process compliance for supply chain, FOH & BOH
- Responsible for end to end product integrity including Zomato & swiggy,B2C and catering
- Managed compliance with FSSAI and legal metrology regulations while directing food safety audits and training initiatives.
- Drove product development, including packaging enhancements and fortification efforts, while optimizing processes for efficiency and vendor management.
- Handled 108 Outlets, 4 regional & 1 central kitchens
- Handled Dairy, Culinary (North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Ala carte ) Bakery, Frozen and vegetables
Senior manager- Corporate Quality
Varun beverages, Ravi Jaipuria Corporation (R J Corp), Devyani International
01.2013 - 07.2014
Zonal Manager Food Safety & Corporate Quality
Bharti-Wal-Mart Ltd
07.2011 - 01.2013
Regional Consultant Microbiologist
3 M, Microbiology Division
08.2005 - 12.2011
- Launched Petrifilms
Assistant Manager QA & Food Safety
Hind-Agro Industries Limited
03.2005 - 06.2008
Junior Scientist
Research India
10.2003 - 03.2005
Education
Diploma - Human Nutrition
British school of learning
Phd - Biochemistry
GBPUA&T Pant Nagar University
01-2003
Skills
Quality assurance, New product development, Regulatory, Hygiene & compliance management
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
- Resolved product issue through consumer testing.
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
- Documented and resolved [Issue] which led to [Results].
Additional Information
I am writing to express my strong interest in the role of Head – Quality. With extensive leadership experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance, Manufacturing Excellence, and Risk Management, I bring a strategic and operations-driven approach to building robust quality systems and driving continuous improvement across manufacturing and supply chain functions.
My background aligns strongly with organizations committed to delivering safe, high-quality, and trusted products through:
Quality Systems Leadership: Driving end-to-end Quality Management Systems including HACCP, FSMS, GMP, CAPA, RCA, supplier quality assurance, complaint reduction, validation, verification, and audit readiness across manufacturing operations.
Operational Excellence: Leading Gemba initiatives, FAT/SAT readiness, process validation, plant commissioning support, shelf-life validation, and continuous improvement programs to strengthen operational efficiency, product consistency, and manufacturing reliability.
Regulatory & Compliance Excellence: Managing compliance across FSSAI, USFDA, BRCGS, BIS, ISO standards, and global quality frameworks, along with successful handling of critical regulatory projects, audit preparedness, and risk-based governance systems.
Cross-Functional Strategic Leadership: Partnering with production, R&D, procurement, supply chain, and leadership teams to ensure quality is embedded as a business driver rather than a control function.
I am particularly driven by the opportunity to strengthen quality governance, food safety culture, operational resilience, and consumer trust while supporting sustainable business growth and organizational excellence.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to discussing how my leadership experience can add immediate value to your organization.
Sincerely,
Certification
Panel Member of Committee for FSSAI Category 18
Interests
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS
Streamlined workflow by consolidating lengthy processes and redundant documentation which resulted in more effective and timely completion of action, Introduced rapid checks to reduce TAT, Planned and coordinated overlapping/ redundant activity projects resulting in increased yield, reduced TAT, Recognized by management for Best NPD, Food Safety & regulatory expertise., Worked directly with senior leadership to develop and administer head count -per year department budget., Increased company profits by utilizing existing manpower by digitalization, Created and developed critical SOP’s & policies to consistently exceed quality and production targets., Oversaw program to reduce paper waste, resulting in 15 lakh savings per year., Increased sales & reordering % while reducing costs by 1.2 %, leading to 90 Cr net profit
Timeline
Head QA & regulatory
Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt Ltd
03.2025 - Current
Director NPD and QA
House of Spices India
12.2021 - 03.2025
Head Corporate Quality Assurance- QSR Business
Haldiram Marketing Pvt Ltd
07.2014 - 11.2021
Senior manager- Corporate Quality
Varun beverages, Ravi Jaipuria Corporation (R J Corp), Devyani International
01.2013 - 07.2014
Zonal Manager Food Safety & Corporate Quality
Bharti-Wal-Mart Ltd
07.2011 - 01.2013
Regional Consultant Microbiologist
3 M, Microbiology Division
08.2005 - 12.2011
Assistant Manager QA & Food Safety
Hind-Agro Industries Limited
03.2005 - 06.2008
Junior Scientist
Research India
10.2003 - 03.2005
Phd - Biochemistry
GBPUA&T Pant Nagar University
Diploma - Human Nutrition
British school of learning