Sunanda Kathuria

Experience

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  Nestlé

  Jan 1987 - Jan 2000

  Manufacturing Services Manager

  Associated with the development/creation of new products. I was responsible for bringing to the market innovative new products that generate incremental volumes within cost parameters and estimated margins thus improving the value of the business. Ingredient development locally in line with international quality. I was fully involved developing and training junior team members. One of my KRA was to help them develop a clear understanding of consumer requirements.Some of my achievements were demonstrating excellence in implementation of Recipe Management System, Implementing PC-RMS. PC-RMS allows to establish & administrate manufacturing recipes (Formula Book). It also gives the possibilities of transferring data between markets so as to create a consolidated common recipe database. PC-RMS is intended to be used by the product/ manufacturing specialist as it will always be necessary to interpret the recipe & of calculationI have a credits of development of Maggi Ketchup and other specialty sauces. Managed consistent improvement in quality and change in formulations with improving quality of tomato paste resulting in 30% cost savings in ketchup and 10-15% in other sauces. Developed and worked towards industrialization of Maggi Noodles Taste Makers, Maggi Bouillons and Cost Effective changes in processing and mixing technology. Dexterously managed the development and industrialization of: Improvement in the Quality of Maggi Soups (Dry Mixes) Maggi Pickles Milkmaid Dessert Mixes (Dry Mixes) Maggi Dosa Mixes, Maggi Cook it Right (Spices, Mixes) and Maggi Tonite Special. Mayonnaise (Sandwich Spreads). Show less

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  ITC Limited

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2005

  Product Development Specialist

  Led the entire process of product development from the research stage to finished product - Ready to Eat (RTE) and Ready to Cook (RTC) Food Products. Efficiently handled project and product planning for Macaroni, Instant Rice, Instant Roti / Naan, Dessert Mix, Instant Mixes, Multipurpose Cooking Paste, Ready Meals (Retortable Pouches), Spice Mixes & blends, Sauces & Soups, Pickles & Preserves, Chutneys, Nutraceutical Foods (Disease specific foods) etc.I was Instrumental in developing and launching 4 variants of Pasta treat (under Sunfeast Brand). I was actively involved in the conceptualization of the product, selecting the ingredients, third party suppliers, stabilizing productions to market launch. I was associated with developing and launching of Multipurpose Cooking paste and 5 variants of gravies (under Aashirvad Brand). Effectively developing and launching of 8 Variants of Chutneys (Under Kitchens of India Brand) as well as developing 4 variants of preserves (under Kitchens of India Brand). I have a distinction of establishing Research and Development Center and trained the R&D team at ITC for New Product Development for all the 4 categories of Food Products (Snacks, Confectionary, Staples and RTE) Show less

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  Mars Petcare

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2007

  Head Of Department | R&D & Quality

  Fore fronted the entire operations for business generation in the Indian sub Continent (ISC) which includes the markets of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan & Maldives.I was associated with manufacturing Dry pet food (Pedigree). Pioneered my-cotoxin risk management practices in dry Ingredients for pet food manufacturing. Instrumental in setting-up the new R&D facility and its laboratory in Hyderabad which would be ready by Jan 2007 with its commercial production beginning in April 2007. I managed entire operations pertaining to Design, Construction and Operation of Pet care kennel facility. Reformulated pedigree range of pet foods to improve their palatability, digestibility and shelf life. Developed new products for Specialist range and Poultry free range of new pet-foods.My LearningsCompleted R&D Executive program – Leadership & Growth from Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Boston, USA.Had undergone Product development training for pet foods in feeding behavior and product palatability at Packchong-Thailand. Show less

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  Aditya Birla Retail Limited

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

  Assistant Vice President for Private Label of Foods

  As a head of R&D and Product Development, I was involved in numerous activities including new products (SKU) launches. As a leader I was involved in processes outside of core R&D, which means I was looking at P&L, Processes, Quality and People Development. Specific to the R&D function, I was instrumental in developing strategic framework for Private Label products in all food categories.Some of my departments achievement included increasing profits by launching products like Atta, Salt, Ketchups & Sauces - 5 SKU's, Pickles - 6 SKU's, Noodles - 2 SKU's, Honey - 3 SKU's, Cookies 7 SKU's, Tea - 7 SKU's, Indian Namkeens-10 SKU’s, Coffee-2 SKU’s, Jams-10 SKU’s, Blended Spices-10 SKU’s, Soups-6 SKU’s, Pasta -10 SKU’s, Chips-10 SKU, Carbonated drinks-3SKU’s, Corn Flakes 3 –SKU’s, Juice Drinks-4SKU’s, Kurkure Chatpate-4SKU’s, Biscuits 10 SKU’s, Ready to Cook -6 SKU’s, Instant drinks Mix- 6SKU’s. I gave the firm a margin of 20-40% across all products for private labels, by not only creating good products but also aligning the SOP/ SRC /SPC with Vendor organizations so that out speed to market is consistent with quality for all new launches. I also audited all vendors before commencement of production. Administered the Commercial Production of all Private Label Food Products.I was also involved in designing and developing Dossiers for all products in launch stage. Show less

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  MTR Foods Private Limited

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  Head of Department | R&D and Quality

  Worked as Head -QA & R&D with MTR/ORKLA FOODS based out of Bangalore, India looking after Breakfast mixes, Sweet Mixes, Health Drink Mix, Spices and Masalas, Rasoi Magic, Ready Snacks, vermicelli & Macaroni, Ready to Eat/RTE Sweets, Milk beverage, Soups, Pickles & Papads.

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  Vita Sana Foods

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2016

  Director | Product Development & Delivery

  Vitasana Foods Private Limited was established in December 2012. Its main operating office at the Patanjali Food & Herbal Park in Haridwar. In this stint I had an opportunity to create the entire new range of products for the organization and portfolio expansion in the private label food categories for one of the fastest growing brands. I worked on creating products for breakfast range, nutraceutical products, super food products, sugar free products, gluten free products and functional snacks. This is one of the key stint in my professional career as it gave me an opportunity to create while being creative in my field of work. During this stint I managed and collaborated with outside partners, vendors, research advisors on research and product development projects. I did Technology transfer from R&D to production teams, oversaw the arrangement, sensory evaluation and consumer taste panels. Worked closely with procurement, production and marketing team to drive at product costing and managed, developed junior talent of R&D departmentVitasana is an in- house supplier of breakfast cereals and other private label goods to Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. Under my leadership, the product range that was developed included Corn Flakes, Choco Flakes, Muesli, Oats, Sattu, Milk powder, Cow ghee, Ghee residue pinni, Rice, Pulses, Atta, Oils, Spices, Juices, Pappad, Biscuits and cookies. Vitasana is a sister company of DMC Healthcare Limited, based in London. DMC has been providing quality healthcare services to the NHS for over 40 years, employing over 200 people in the UK. Show less

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  Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.

  Jan 2016 - Dec 2018

  Vice President | New Product Development | Jain Farm Fresh Foods Ltd. | Jalgaon

  This was a Start-up venture and my role here is to diversify the food category into B2C segment from B2B segments. I have been instrumental in launching its first branded retail product AamRus | Mango & Strawberry & Jamun pulp | Fruit Smoothies. Launched blended spices under Valley Spice brandAs part of my role, I have defined and applied the R&D Program to maximize growth, Provided new ideas for product innovations, designed and supervised research studies, development processes and systems to enable collaboration to meet business objectives, developed a service level agreement with internal functions and adhered to the timelines, managed and collaborated with outside partners, vendors, research advisors on research and product development projects, managed & developed junior research R&D talent Show less

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  Consultant and Technical Advisor

  Jan 2019 - now

  R&D Head for Strategy and Product Development Consultant

  I lead product development and scale up of various categories managing Research operations alongside managing team. New Product Development from concept to commercialization for the entire range of products for shelf. Single point of entry for all NPD strategy & vendor co-packer management. I worked in fast paced, cross functional team environments with strong people and project management skills.

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  R&D Legends

  Jun 2023 - now

  Food Technologist