N I B H A K U M A R I

• This position involves strong interactions with internal cross functional teams and external suppliers, hands-on bench and analytical work, pilot plant work, managing formula cost and specifications (ingredients, product & process), conducting and coordinating industrial tests in plants, and assisting in industrial scale-up
• Responsible for collaborating with a cross functional team to design, develop and commercialize winning yogurts based on consumer and market understanding
• Tasked with developing the formula & process, then ensuring smooth scale-up in factory, while validating post-launch success.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop innovation and renovation formulations to deliver on Brand, Product and Consumer Insights, Regulatory, Quality & Food Safety, and Project Requirements
• Independently manages medium to high technical complexity projects according to stage gate needs
• Managing projects according to STAGE GATE PROCESS methodology.
• Working within project teams as the R&I lead to develop formulas and processes, address technical hurdles, provide guidance related to commercialization, assess risks and manage R&I timelines.
• Contributing to innovation and productivity pipelines outside chartered program work by engaging with the broader yogurt community, suppliers, external partners and internal cross functional teams.
• Designing pilot trials, organizing tasting sessions with Marketing & cross functional stakeholders, and drawing conclusions and recommendations for next steps.
• Drive continuous improvement across all areas of the role including systems and manufacturing procedures.
• Collaborating with suppliers to obtain the best results for product development (brief suppliers and follow up on their progress).
• Identifying new suppliers that bring technological advantage to Danone's product portfolio and share insights across all impacted within the R&I organization.
• Participating in consumer test design, organize sample production and ensure product quality follow up.
• Realizing scale up / industrialization with Engineering and Manufacturing departments and conduct shelf-life studies.
• Participating as an R&I representative for product launch/start up by preparing all specifications related to product line (except packaging) and ensure that all documentation needed is available prior to start up.
• Planning, executing, and managing the development of prototype products in lab, pilot plant and at production facilities. Maintaining stringent technical and experimental documentation.
• Sourcing and maintaining vendor relationships to secure the necessary ingredients that align with prevailing company standards. Evaluating new suppliers and/or ingredients.
• Ensuring all developed products meet internal and external guidelines for nutrition, regulatory affairs, and food labeling (including a broad range of certifications).
• Networking with Danone global R&I community to share best practices on current processes/products.

• The role encompassed leading product development programs across innovation, renovation and productivity
• Used scientific and technologic expertise to bring health through food, meet the needs of consumers and nurture growth in the business.

· Managed projects through phase gate time lines from concept to commercialization

• Developed formulations and processes to deliver on consumer expectations, within project food safety, costs and timing requirements
• Designed pilot trials & organized evaluation sessions with Marketing, and drawing conclusions and recommendations for next steps.
• Scaled up/ industrialization with cross functional teams (Quality, Engineering and Manufacturing)

· Collaborated with suppliers to deliver best results for product development

· Participated in consumer test design, organize sample production and ensure product quality follow up.

• Prepared specifications related to product line for product launch/start-up
• Evaluated product stability data in order to verify the organoleptic profile and overall product quality
• Managed sensory analysis to execute in Home-Use Tests, Internal Panel Tests, Comparative Tests for each brands.
• Managed nutrition labeling and packaging assessment
• Worked with global R&I community to share in best practices.

Supported Technology & Product Development and Baked good platform with the General Mills Global R&D teams

• Handled core renovation projects related to health claim improvement for the US domestic market.

· Handled core renovation projects related to health claim improvement for the US domestic market.

· Worked on Sodium reduction, MSG removal in different variants of mashed potatoes.

· Enabled zero trans-fatty acid claim in dry mix formulations for different kinds of baked good

· Worked on HMM approaches in dry seasoning mixes, baked goods & RTE meals products

· Undergone sensory training sessions and consumer insights study with the US team undertaken by the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

· Value addition to existing products

· Designed experiments to optimize formulations

· Product Costing

· Competitor product benchmarking

· Shelf life stability study, Tolerance testing

· Engage with analytical team and quality team

· Active involvement in Sensory studies of RTE Meals, baked goods & dry mixes

Project Deliverables:

· Ideated opportunity for renovation and Holistic Margin Management (HMM), Data collection, Data analysis, Scoping, Data Comparison

· Reformulation of age-old formulas existing in the company to improve the product, streamlining of ingredients and deliver HMM

· Delivered Holistic Margin Management (HMM) of about $400,000 for the company

Quality Control Experience with General Mills:

· Worked on new ingredient process and prepare specifications in assigned categories

· Managed all specification responses & ingredient surveys

· Collaborated with R&D to understand ingredient requirements and project deliverables

· Gathered necessary information/ approvals to complete work accurately and on time