Formulation Scientist-(Diskettes & Bars) AVANTIKA HR VENTURES LLP

About AVANTIKA HR VENTURES LLP

Job Description

Job Description: Formulation Scientist - Disketts & Bars

Location: Poanta Sahib Job Type: Full-time

Job Summary: The Formulation Scientist - Disketts & Bars will be responsible for the end-to-end research, development, and optimization of chewable diskettes, orally disintegrating diskettes, and a range of nutritional/functional bars. This role requires a strong understanding of food science, pharmaceutical science, material science, and manufacturing processes specific to these solid dosage forms, with a keen focus on taste, texture, stability, nutritional integrity, and active ingredient delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Formulation Development (Disketts & Bars):
• Lead the design and development of innovative diskette formulations (e.g., fast-dissolving, chewable, sustained-release, fortified) and nutritional/functional bars (e.g., protein bars, energy bars, meal replacement bars).
• Optimize formulations for desired sensory attributes (taste, texture, mouthfeel, aroma), physical properties (hardness, friability, disintegration/dissolution, chewability), chemical stability, active ingredient bioavailability/release, and consumer appeal.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies to characterize active ingredients (APIs/nutrients) and excipients, including solubility, stability, compatibility, and hygroscopicity.
• Research and evaluate new ingredients (e.g., binders, fillers, disintegrants, sweeteners, flavorings, protein sources, fibers), processing aids, and manufacturing technologies relevant to diskettes and bars.
• Develop and refine manufacturing processes, including blending, granulation (wet/dry), compression (for diskettes), mixing, extrusion, sheeting, cutting, and coating (for both).
• Product Testing and Analysis:
• Design and execute comprehensive stability studies (e.g., accelerated, real-time, humidity challenges) to determine product shelf life and recommend appropriate packaging and storage conditions.
• Perform analytical testing on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products using relevant techniques (e.g., HPLC for active content, moisture analysis, texture analysis, rheology, dissolution/disintegration testing, particle size analysis).
• Conduct sensory evaluations, consumer panels, and gather feedback to continuously improve formulations based on sensory attributes and consumer preferences.
• Process Scale-up and Manufacturing Support:
• Plan and execute pilot-scale and commercial-scale batches, ensuring smooth technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process-related challenges during scale-up and routine production, identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams to optimize processes for efficiency, yield, and quality.
• Regulatory Compliance and Documentation:
• Ensure all formulation and process development activities comply with relevant national and international regulations (e.g., FSSAI, FDA, cGMP, DSHEA).
• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation, including formulation records, batch production records, specifications, test methods, protocols, and technical reports for regulatory submissions and internal records.
• Work with Regulatory Affairs to ensure compliant product labeling and claims substantiation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work seamlessly with R&D, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Marketing, Supply Chain, and other internal stakeholders to align on project goals and ensure successful product launches.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline. A Ph.D. is a plus.
• Experience:
• Minimum of [3-7+] years of hands-on experience in product development and formulation, specifically with diskette (e.g., chewable tablets, ODTs) and/or nutritional/functional bar dosage forms within the nutraceutical, food & beverage, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Technical Skills:
• Strong knowledge of formulation chemistry, ingredient functionality, and their impact on physical, chemical, and sensory properties of diskettes and bars.
• Proficiency in various solid dosage manufacturing techniques (e.g., direct compression, wet/dry granulation, extrusion, molding).
• Experience with relevant analytical techniques and equipment (e.g., texture analyzers, rheometers, HPLC, dissolution apparatus, moisture analyzers, friabilators, hardness testers).
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and relevant quality systems.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical data analysis.

Preferred Attributes:

• Experience with specific challenges in diskette and bar formulation, such as taste masking, texture control, moisture migration, active ingredient stability, and sugar reduction.