FERTIS - Team Lead - Projects - Scientific Research

Team Lead - Projects

Role: Scientific research

Department: Research and Development

Work Location: Wargal, Hyderabad

About the Company:

FERTIS is fast growing technology company, focused on research, development and commercialization of novel crop nutrients, microbes and protectants. It provides customer services that addresses some of the key agricultural challenges of the 21st Century faced by farmers and commodity purchasers.

The company has several novel and high potential products which are patented. Every product has undergone extensive research. Further, the products are tested on multiple crops at multiple stages at different geographies.

The results have been encouraging and has been accepted across progressive farmers and large corporate commodity purchasers as well. The company continues to invest aggressively in new products and service innovations.

Fertis has received National Level Award at "India Agribusiness Awards 2022" by Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) for outstanding contribution in Crop Nutrition.

FIPL is looking for an accomplished professional to join our Food Ingredients Division as a Team Leader - Projects. The role involves leading the scale up of cutting-edge processes from lab scale to pilot and commercial scales in the food ingredients sector.

The incumbent will play a pivotal role in bridging R&D and production by coordinating with engineering consultants, equipment vendors, and cross-functional teams. This position offers the opportunity to work on innovative projects, ensuring compliance with food regulations while driving operational excellence.

The ideal candidate will have a strong chemical engineering background with expertise in process design, scale-up, and process development, along with a working knowledge of chromatographic separations, concentration systems, crystallization and ion exchange technologies. Familiarity with food safety regulations is essential for this role.

Essential Qualification:

- Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Food Technology, or a related field.

Desirable Qualification:

- 12-15 years of experience in process design, scale-up, and project management, preferably in the food ingredients industry.

- Hands-on experience with chromatographic separations, concentration systems, crystallization and ion exchange is desirable.

- Proven track record of scaling up processes to pilot and commercial levels.

Age preference: 40 years

Languages Known: English, Hindi and Telugu

Work Experience: Minimum of 15+ years of experience in process design, scale-up, and project management, preferably in the food ingredients industry.

Role Summary: Lead the scale-up of innovative food ingredient processes from lab to commercial scale

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Lead and oversee the scale-up of lab-scale processes to pilot and commercial-scale operations.

2. Design, implement, and validate production processes, ensuring they meet performance, quality, and safety standards.

3. Conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments, and optimization for scaling up processes.

4. Collaborate with R&D and engineering teams to design and optimize equipment and process layouts.

5. Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, including chromatographic separations, concentration systems, crystallization and ion exchange, for enhanced process efficiency.

6. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for new processes.

7. Identify and engage with engineering firms, equipment suppliers, and service providers to ensure timely project delivery.

8. Oversee procurement of critical equipment and materials, maintaining quality and cost effectiveness.

9. Negotiate technical and commercial terms with external partners and vendors.

10. Ensure all processes comply with local and international food safety and regulatory standards.

11. Maintain thorough documentation of process designs, test results, and validation reports for audits and approvals.

12. Guide and mentor team members, fostering technical skill development and collaborative working environments.

13. Allocate resources effectively to ensure project milestones are achieved on schedule.

14. Analyze process performance and identify opportunities for efficiency and cost reduction.

15. Drive innovation by incorporating emerging technologies and industry best practices.

Technical/ Functional Competencies:

1. Hands-on experience in scaling up processes from lab to industrial scale.

2. Proficiency in chromatographic separations, concentration systems, crystallization and ion exchange technologies.

3. Knowledge of process simulation tools and software.

4. Strong skills in planning, execution, and monitoring of engineering projects.

5. Familiarity with budget management and resource allocation.

6. In-depth knowledge of food safety standards (e.g., FSSAI, FDA, EU Regulations).

7. Understanding of HACCP and GMP protocols.

8. Ability to troubleshoot complex process challenges and devise innovative solutions.

9. Strong aptitude for data analysis and process optimization.

Behavioral Competencies:

1. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage project teams effectively.

2. Strong mentoring skills to develop team capabilities.

3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills for internal and external stakeholders.

4. Ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors, consultants, and regulatory bodies.

5. Ability to work under pressure and adapt to dynamic project needs.

6. Resilient in addressing challenges and driving projects to completion.

7. High attention to detail with a commitment to delivering high-quality outputs.

8. Takes ownership of projects and ensures accountability at every stage.

Preferred Industries:

1. Food and Beverage

2. Biotechnology / Bioprocessing

3. Pharmaceuticals