• Implementation of FSMA regulation and HACCP plan at R&D Technical Center.• Played leading role in identification of equipment, design, budget management and future needs for R&D. Also played key role in R&D Technical Center expansion.• Collaboration and supporting R&D, Quality, Manufacturing and Sales by providing technical services, sensory services, analytical services, product specifications and operation & maintenance of pilot labs and equipment.• Managing key functions of Sargento Technical Center related to pilot plant, bench top, analytical and sensory labs and their respective equipment.• Lead the technical services team on new equipment, technologies & test methods for existing and new products.• Identification, management, and resolution of risks related to R&D product quality and food laboratory safety.

• Providing support to R&D and Quality by providing technical services, sensory services, analytical services, and operation & maintenance of pilot labs and equipment.• Managing all functions of Sargento Technical Center related to pilot plant, bench top, analytical and sensory labs and their respective equipment.• Currently leading the technical services team on new equipment, technologies & test methods for existing and new products.• Identification, management, and resolution of risks related to R&D product quality and food laboratory safety.

• Lead the cheese R&D team on new products and processes projects.• Contributed in successful commissioning of Cheese Innovation Center (CIC).• Closely worked with cross functional teams including operations, sales, marketing, quality, logistics, and finance in successful scaling-up of new products.

• Played a key role in new product and process development on pilot scale and scale-up to the plants.• Provided technical support/knowledge to cheese plants and whey plants for number of projects including yield improvements, quality improvements, enhanced functionality, CAPEX projects and cost savings. • Liaise with marketing, quality and plant operations team for product launches, qualification, concept testing, etc.

• Responsible for the pilot scale trials and scale-up of new products and processes.• Worked with customers in developing products that fit their needs.• Actively participated in teams to improve established products color, flavor and texture.• Liaise with ingredient suppliers and universities in manufacture of new products and improving the existing products.

• Developed and executed research project to improve the nutritional quality of yogurt by addition of Whey Protein Isolates (WPI) and partially hydrolyzed WPI. • Developed set type of calcium enriched plain and fruit yogurt.

• Responsible for quality, technical services & product development at Asia’s largest co-operative dairy, especially in milk powder, yogurt, ice cream and cheese departments.• Internal Auditor for ISO9001-2001 and member of committee responsible for creating Quality Manual.• Actively involved in training and development of employees on GMP & HACCP.

• Secured 2nd rank in national tests conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research for Junior Research Fellowships and worked on Indian government funded project "Development of calcium fortified milk and milk products using various calcium salts".• Determined the bioavailability of calcium from various calcium fortified cow milk and conducted sensory and rheological characterization of calcium fortified dahi (Indian yogurt).