Job Title

SolveCube is an award winning AI enabled Talent Solutions Platform for middle and senior level professionals. SolveCube is working with global consulting firms, mid and large enterprises across Asia Pacific and Middle East to fulfill their talent needs for permanent, short-term, part-time, interim and turnkey assignments.One of our clients, is Central Africa’s and Middle East most diversified business conglomerates focused on carbonated soft drinks, flavored beverages, whisky, wine and water. Progressively, the founders entered into the business of construction, mining, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, tourism & travels and became leaders too. T hey are looking forManager – Research & Development (Whisky/Spirits) Job Location : Hyderabad, India (with significant international travel)About the Company We are aninternational business groupcurrently undergoing aggressive expansion acrossAfrica and the Middle East . With a robust portfolio of beverage alcohol brands, we are establishing new production facilities and upgrading existing ones to meet global demand. We are looking for high-agency senior professionals to lead our R&D function from our Hyderabad hub.Role Summary We are seeking aManager – Research & Developmentwith a specialized focus onWhisky . You will be the technical backbone of our innovation pipeline. This role is not just about lab work; it requiresend-to-end project ownership —from conceptualizing a new whisky variant to ensuring it survives the harsh climatic conditions of the Middle East and Africa during transit and storage. You will lead new product development, optimize shelf-life, and ensure seamless technology transfer from the Hyderabad pilot plant to high-speed commercial lines across our international locations.Key Responsibilities 1. Innovation & New Product Development (NPD) Lead the end-to-end development of new whisky variants (premium blends, single malts, flavored whiskies) aligned with consumer trends in Africa and the Middle East. Driveformulation designincluding grain bill selection, yeast strain optimization, and wood management (cask finishing/aging techniques). Develop products specifically designed for warm climate aging and distribution. 2. Process Optimization & Scale-Up Executeplant trialsand handle the scale-up tech transfer from R&D lab to manufacturing plants. Troubleshoot production issues related to distillation, blending, chill-filtration, and bottling. Improve yield and reduce production costs without compromising sensory profiles. 3. Shelf-Life & Quality Assurance Spearheadshelf-life optimizationstudies specific to export markets. Analyze the impact of extreme temperatures/humidity on product stability during shipping (Middle East/Africa routes). Implement rapid aging protocols and stability testing methodologies. 4. Regulatory & Compliance Ensure all formulations meetregulatory compliancefor target markets (including ingredient declaration, maximum allowable limits, and import tariffs related to specific raw materials). Maintain comprehensive documentation for audits and new market registrations. 5. Travel & Cross-Functional Leadership Open to extensive travel (up to 30-40%)to manufacturing sites and market locations across Africa and the Middle East. Train local production teams in new process implementation. Collaborate with marketing, procurement, and supply chain teams to ensure business viability of R&D projects.Qualifications & Experience Essential: Education:Master’s degree in Food Technology, Brewing/Distilling, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or Chemical Engineering. Experience:Minimum5+ yearsof relevant experience in R&D/Product Development specifically within theAlcoholic Beverage/Spirits industry . Industry Background:Must come from a Beverage Manufacturing setup(e.g., Pernod Ricard, Diageo, AB InBev, Carlsberg, Radico Khaitan, John Distilleries, or high-volume independent bottlers/distillers).