Assistant Manager - Industrialization and Production

Preferable Candidate : Experience in spices, spices powder and seasoning blend is preferred

Position Summary:

The Assistant Manager - Industrialization & Production will be responsible for converting R&D-developed products and processes into commercial-scale, consistent, efficient and food-safe manufacturing operations. The role will act as the key link between R&D, Production, Quality, Procurement, Engineering and outsourced manufacturing units.
The position will manage pilot trials, process scale-up, production planning and execution, process optimization, yield improvement, troubleshooting and industrialization of spice powders, seasoning blends and other food products. The candidate should have strong hands-on knowledge of spice processing, blending, grinding, sieving, roasting, sterilization, packing and large-scale food manufacturing.

Roles & Responsibilities:

1. Product Industrialization & Scale-Up

• Convert R&D formulations and laboratory/pilot processes into commercial manufacturing processes.
• Plan and execute pilot trials, scale-up trials and commercial production trials.
• Develop and finalize manufacturing process parameters including:
• Identify and resolve issues encountered during scale-up from laboratory to production.
• Prepare and maintain process flow charts, batch manufacturing procedures and process specifications.
• Ensure successful transfer of products from R&D to routine production.
• Monitor product consistency between batches.

2. Pilot Trial Management

• Coordinate pilot trials at the company's factory and outsourcing/manufacturing locations.
• Prepare trial plans in consultation with R&D and Quality.
• Coordinate availability of raw materials, packaging materials, machinery, manpower, utilities, and trial documentation.
• Record actual process parameters and trial observations.
• Prepare pilot trial reports with deviations, observations and recommendations.
• Ensure successful trials are converted into standardized production processes.

3. Production Planning & Execution

• Support the Factory Head in production planning and execution.
• Ensure production is completed according to production plan, customer requirements, product specifications, quality standards and delivery schedules.
• Monitor batch-wise production performance.
• Ensure optimum utilization of manpower, machinery and materials.
• Monitor production losses, rework and process deviations.
• Support preparation of manufacturing cost estimates for new products.

4. Process Optimization & Productivity Improvement

• Conduct trials for process improvement and cost reduction.
• Reduce material losses during cleaning, grinding, sieving, blending and packing.
• Establish and monitor process yield standards.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives.

5. Outsourcing & Contract Manufacturing

• Coordinate with approved outsourcing/contract manufacturing facilities.
• Visit outsourced units for pilot trials, process validation and commercial production.
• Monitor production performance and identify deviations.
• Support vendor capability assessment and process improvement.

6. R&D - Production Coordination

• Act as the technical bridge between R&D and Production.
• Review new product formulations for manufacturing feasibility.
• Provide feedback to R&D regarding raw material behaviour, processing limitations, equipment capability, scale-up challenges, cost implications and production efficiency.
• Participate in new product development and commercialization projects

7. Raw Material Evaluation

• Work with R&D, Procurement and Quality teams for evaluation of new raw materials and existing raw materials.
• Conduct production trials for alternative raw materials.
• Evaluate impact of raw material variation on processing, yield, colour, flavour, particle size and product performance.
• Support supplier qualification through production trials.

8. Documentation & SOP Development

Prepare, implement and maintain:

• Batch Manufacturing Records (BMR)
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Work Instructions
• Process Flow Charts
• Process Specifications
• Trial Reports
• Scale-up Reports
• Yield Reports
• Production parameters
• Equipment operating parameters
• Process validation records
• Deviation and corrective-action records

9.Quality & Food Safety

• Ensure production activities comply with applicable GMP, HACCP, food safety and company quality requirements.
• Ensure adherence to approved product specifications.
• Coordinate with QA/QC for in-process and finished-product quality checks.
• Prevent cross-contamination and allergen-related risks.
• Ensure proper cleaning and line clearance between products.
• Support internal, customer and certification audits.