Hrudhay Raj

R&D Executive with experience in chocolate and confectionery product development, specializing in formulation, process optimization, and new product development from concept to commercialization. Skilled in conducting laboratory, pilot plant, and factory trials, evaluating ingredient functionality, and ensuring consistent product quality and sensory standards. Experienced in cross-functional collaboration, supplier technical evaluation, and maintaining compliance with FSSAI, BRCGS, GMP, and other regulatory requirements.

Adept at managing product specifications, documentation, and scale-up processes while driving innovation and continuous improvement in product development.

R&D Executive - Dukes Consumer Care Pvt. Ltd., (Micks Foods) - Hyderabad, India

(2026-04)

• Develop chocolate chips, encrusted cookies, center filled cookies, spreads, pastes, dips (pistachio and hazelnut variants), pralines, and vermicelli with standardized texture and consistent quality.
• Develop products by maintaining the required moisture in cookies and the desired viscosity in chocolates, compounds, pastes, spreads, fillings, and dips.
• Conduct laboratory, pilot plant, and factory trials to validate product performance and process feasibility.
• Execute product trials based on client requirements and evaluate product behaviour.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams, including chefs, production, procurement, quality assurance, and marketing, to align product development with customer requirements and market trends.
• Discuss ingredient requirements with suppliers and evaluate their impact on finished products.
• Verify supplier documentation, including SLA, RCA, and CAPA.
• Ensure NPD trials are conducted as per client guidelines, document ingredient behaviour during trials, and report findings to management for client validation.
• Develop and implement CCP and OPRP, prepare SOPs for trial and production stages, and coordinate laboratory testing to ensure product quality in compliance with BRC requirements.
• Manage product formulations and technical records from concept to delivery, ensuring timely development and high-quality output.
• Maintain and update product specifications to ensure compliance with FSSAI regulations and customer specific requirements.
• Adhere to GMP standards and Lean/Kaizen methodologies to optimize production processes.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with Kosher, Halal, Organic, and Vegan certification requirements.

R&D Trainee - Dukes Consumer Care Pvt. Ltd., (Micks Foods) - Hyderabad, India

(2025-04 - 2026-03)

• Developed and optimized recipes, ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Worked on various chocolate and compound types, including Milk, White, Dark, Belgiyum, Brownie, and Pistachio variants.
• Conducted trials with natural fruit powders such as mango, raspberry, and blueberry, and evaluated their compatibility in coloured compounds and chocolates.
• Conducted trials with natural flavours and improved flavour profiles of dark, milk, white, mango, raspberry, and blueberry chocolates and compounds, including sugar free variants.
• Conducted trials on caramelized peanuts and developed brownie and butterscotch crumbles.
• Conducted panning trials for products such as 2–12 mm chocolate coated brownie, butterscotch, honeycomb crumbles, and rice crispy.
• Developed chocolate coated dragees (almond, cashew, hazelnut) and managed fat-coating trials for Oat, Belgi-yum, and Brownie biscuits.
• Conducted baking and roasting trials to standardize optimal processing parameters.
• Documented quality parameters through internal laboratory testing and performed comprehensive shelf-life studies to evaluate ingredient behaviour over time.
• Conducted sensory and application tests and documented results to support effective discussions with suppliers regarding ingredient performance.

M.Sc - Food Science and Technology - Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University) (2022 - 2024)

B.Sc - Biotechnology - Chaitanya Deemed To be University (2017 - 2021)

Class XII - Bi.P.C - Urbane Junior College (2015 - 2017)