Pranita Kotasthane

• Researched on application of innovative chemicals like 1 MCP (1-Methylcyclopropane) to be used as alternative to traditional ethylene scavengers.
• Provided business with technical inputs to zero down on specific value added categories for fruits and vegetables to be pursued.
• Collated repository for regulatory requirements as per USDA, USFDA and EFSA for seamless export of processed fruits and vegetables from India.
• Developed operational standards, policies and procedures to evaluate co-packers that processed fruits and vegetables.

1. New Product Development

Hydration Category - Developed drinks for occasions like sports and Products inspired from Ayurveda
Juice Category - Developed new flavors ; Achieved color stability in juice drinks when packed in PET; Developed innovative products with mouthfeel enhancers/ differentials
Sparkling Category - Developed juice with sparkling products - launched in market in 2016

2. Productivity/ Cost Optimization

Developed flexible recipe for juice brands using juice concentrates replacing the juice pulp worked on localization on fruit pulps/purees/concentrates
Experience in working on new molecules of Stevia to replace sugar across categories

3. Shelf Life studies for new packages

Involved monitoring nutritional values

4. Sensory Panel Leader

Trained associates and regularly accessed them to be a part of Sensory Panel. This panel had expertise in Degree of Difference evaluation.

1. New Product Development

• Coffee: developed premix formats-Achieved matching premium bean to cup coffee
• Tea: Worked in developing new premix tea offerings for dispensing machines

2. Competition Mapping

• Achieved listing competition products available in the market, in detail-This was ready reference to design products superior to the current offerings both in innovation and value optimization

3. Sensory Panel Member

• Underwent training to be a sensory panelist, Developed sensory acuity that in turn lead to become a Sensory Panel Leader

4. Consumer Research

• Facilitated Consumer Research studies that involved interacting with stakeholders like Marketing, Consumer Research Agencies, Statistical Analyst, Consumers which is an integral part to develop a winning formula.

1. Quality Audit of Sugar Supplier: Part of supplier development audit team that certified facility under Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

2. Preparing Master Mixing Instructions: Managed documentation involving manufacturing instructions to be shared with bottling facilities.

3. Document review:

Reviewed changes made in operating requirements