Assistant Manager - Research & Development

Job description

Job Description : Job Title: Assistant Manager, Product and Process Research Department: Product and Process Research Summary: The Assistant Manager will play a key role in advancing the development of novel Process and Product strategies. The ideal candidate leverages deep scientific acumen, a strong foundation in biochemical engineering, robust Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies, and advanced data analytics to optimize existing processes, champion novel technology exploration, and seamlessly scale operations from benchtop to commercial manufacturing. Job Title: Assistant Manager - Research & Development About us: With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. From global icons like Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Tanqueray to Smirnoff and Don Julio, we create brands consumers love. Bring your passion and use your curiosity as you explore, collaborate and innovate. Together with passionate people from all over the world, you’ll test new ideas, learn and grow, and unlock a brighter, more exciting future. Join us to create a career worth celebrating. About the Function: Supply Chain & Manufacturing is where our brands are made, moved and delivered to the world. With over half of our people working across more than 100 sites, this is a complex, large-scale operation that brings together production, logistics, engineering and supplier partnerships. It’s fast-paced and hands-on, with teams working together to ensure quality, efficiency and sustainability at every stage. From sourcing ingredients to getting products into customers’ hands, you’ll play a role in delivering the brands people know and love. Role Responsibilities: •  Research & Development:• Initiate and lead novel research projects including:• Process optimization for increased yield and efficiency. • Development of new process technologies relevant to Diageo India. • Investigation of alternative feedstocks/substrates/raw material formats. • Design and conduct laboratory-scale experiments, analyze data, and draw meaningful conclusions. • Develop and document experimental procedures and protocols. • Oversee recurrent and reproducible experimental analyses, establishing baseline data, robust quality controls, and high analytical integrity. • Apply advanced statistical techniques, multivariate analysis, and data visualization tools to interpret complex bioprocess and sensory profiling datasets. • Process Scale-up:• Process Translation: Drive the transition of bench-scale successes into viable pilot and manufacturing-scale operations, bridging the gap between laboratory findings and plant realities. • Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges encountered during scale-up. • Partner closely with production engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot process bottlenecks, validate trials, and execute technology transfer. • Industry Collaboration:• Establish and maintain relationships with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners. • Stay abreast of the latest advancements in fermentation and distilling technologies. • Project Management:• Plan and execute research projects within budget and timelines, prepare project reports, presentations, and technical publications; effectively communicate research findings to internal and external stakeholders. • End-to-End Ownership: Take full accountability for project lifecycles—from initial hypothesis generation and experimental design to final technical reports and executive presentations. • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate multidisciplinary efforts across R&D, analytical laboratories, and external partners to maintain project momentum and meet strict timelines. • Safety & Compliance:• Adhere to all laboratory safety protocols and regulations. • Ensure compliance with relevant environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations. Experience / skills required: •  Education: Ph.D in Biochemical Engineering, Food Technology, Biotechnology, or a related field. • Experience: 0-2 years of relevant post-PhD research experience in food processing, distillation, or a related field with multiple peer reviewed publications in SCI journals. • Skills:• Strong understanding of food process principles. • Hands-on experience with laboratory techniques, and analytical equipment GCMS, HPLC, spectroscopy, and analytical methods. • Proficiency in data analysis, statistical methods, and scientific software. • Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical sk