R&D/NPD Associate

We are looking for an R&D; / NPD Associate to help us build and launch new products across supplements, functional foods, and wellness categories. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both product innovation and execution — from ingredient research and formulation coordination to trials, vendor follow-ups, and launch readiness.

The R&D; / NPD Associate will work closely with the founders, contract manufacturers, ingredient vendors, and cross-functional teams to support new product development and existing product improvement.

This is a hands-on role for someone who can combine scientific thinking, detail orientation, consumer empathy, and speed of execution

Location: Full-time, On-site position, Hyderabad Office

Responsibilities

New Product Development (NPD)

• Support the end-to-end development of new products from idea to launch.
• Translate product concepts into clear briefs for formulators and manufacturing partners.
• Conduct ingredient, format, and dosage research for new wellness/supplement products.
• Benchmark competitor products across India and global markets for formulation, claims, pricing and positioning.
• Work on new formats such as powders, gummies, capsules, tablets, sachets, etc.

Formulation & Product Trials

• Coordinate with third-party formulators and manufacturers for formulation development.
• Track formulation iterations, sensory trials, stability feedback, and product improvements.
• Evaluate products for taste, mixability, texture, aroma, appearance, and usability.
• Assist in improving products based on internal feedback, consumer feedback, and operational feasibility.
• Maintain structured documentation of trials, observations, and formulation changes

Ingredient & Claims Research

• Research functional ingredients, dosages, evidence, usage restrictions, and market relevance.
• Evaluate ingredient suitability for clean-label / consumer-friendly formulations.
• Support claim substantiation by collecting and organizing scientific literature, references, and product rationale.
• Stay updated on trends in supplements, gut health, women’s wellness, kids’ nutrition, sleep, stress, protein, and preventive wellness.

Vendor / Manufacturer Coordination

• Coordinate with ingredient suppliers, contract manufacturers, and testing labs.
• Follow up on samples, timelines, COAs, specifications, MOQ discussions, and trial batches.
• Support sourcing of ingredients and packaging components for new product launches.
• Help compare vendors on quality, responsiveness, cost, and scalability

Quality & Compliance Support

• Support documentation related to product specs, ingredient sheets, test reports, and label inputs.
• Coordinate basic product documentation needed for launch readiness.
• Work with relevant internal/external teams on regulatory, compliance, and packaging claim alignment.
• Ensure product information is accurately documented and shared with cross-functional teams.

Cross-functional Launch Readiness

• Work with brand, design, operations, and growth teams to ensure product readiness for launch.
• Help translate technical product details into simplified consumer-facing benefits.
• Support product training for internal teams by organizing key formulation/product information.
• Contribute to launch decks, product notes, FAQs, and internal knowledge documents.

Skill Sets - Must Have

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Nutrition, Food Science, Pharmaceutical
• Sciences, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or related fields.
• 1–4 years of experience in R&D;, NPD, formulation, quality, or product development.
• Strong interest in health, wellness, supplements, and functional nutrition.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple product workstreams.
• Good communication and follow-up skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment

Good to Have

• Experience in nutraceuticals / supplements / functional foods / FMCG wellness.
• Familiarity with ingredient research, dosage understanding, sensory evaluations, contract manufacturing workflows, and basic regulatory/compliance coordination.
• Strong Excel / Google Sheets and documentation skills.
• Consumer-first thinking and curiosity about what makes a product actually work in the market.

Be a part of Earthful’s Family!

@ www.instagram.com/earthful.me/

@www.linkedin.com/company/earthfulme/

About Earthful

Earthful is a VC-funded FMCG brand building India’s most trusted clean-label wellness products. We were recently featured on Shark Tank India and have raised a Pre-Series A round led by V3 Ventures and Fireside Ventures.

The founders (Sudha Gogineni and Veda Gogineni) are graduates from IIT Kharagpur and ISB with a multitude of experience across multinational companies & startups, such as Uber, Meesho, Deutsche Bank, ITC.

Earthful is a fast-growing startup, offering high ownership and the opportunity to work closely with the founders. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about scaling a startup!