Head of Product Development and Diversification

About the role

The Head of Product Development and Diversification will lead KTDA’s strategy to create new tea‑based and non‑tea products, reducing reliance on bulk orthodox tea and expanding market opportunities for smallholder farmers.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement a New Product Development (NPD) and diversification strategy aligned with corporate goals and the Tea Industry Act.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to deliver a pipeline of commercially viable products, from ideation through regulatory approval, branding and market launch.
• Provide market and consumer insights to senior management and build business cases for new ventures and joint‑venture partnerships.
• Coordinate research collaborations with universities, government agencies and private labs, and manage budgets, IP protection and product testing.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Agricultural Economics, Chemistry or Business.
• 8‑10 years of experience, including at least 5 years in a senior NPD/R&D leadership role within FMCG, beverages or agro‑processing.
• Proven track record of launching at least three successful new products in the past five years.

Required skills

• Deep knowledge of tea chemistry, product formulation and sensory science.
• Expertise in food safety, regulatory affairs and compliance with Tea Board, KEBS, FDA and EU standards.
• Strong project management, budget oversight and cross‑functional collaboration abilities.