SOURABH GHARDE

MBA Candidate | R&D Executive | Food Technology & Operations Strategist

Raipur, IN.

About

MBA candidate at IIM Raipur with nearly four years of hands-on R&D experience in the beverage sector, blending technical expertise in food technology, flavor systems, and quality control with strong managerial acumen. Leveraging this foundation through formal management education, I am passionate about driving growth in FMCG, food tech, and IT sectors through strategic operations and product innovation. My goal is to apply cross-functional leadership and data-backed insights to deliver high-impact solutions and foster sustainable business growth.

Work

Doehler India PVT LTD

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Executive

Gurugram, Haryana, India

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Summary

Led cross-functional R&D initiatives and project management in the beverage sector, driving product innovation, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness.

Highlights

Spearheaded cross-functional R&D efforts to develop a proprietary sweetener blend, significantly enhancing beverage market competitiveness and contributing to business growth and innovation.

Streamlined B2B/B2C sample fulfillment processes, optimizing logistics and accelerating key product development timelines for rapid market entry.

Drove raw material inventory optimization for the D&A beverage lab through strategic planning, ensuring uninterrupted project execution and achieving substantial resource allocation efficiencies.

Led cross-functional collaboration on sensory evaluations, providing critical, data-backed insights to refine taste profiles and meet product specifications across diverse applications.

Initiated and executed sugar reduction initiatives, successfully lowering added sugar content in product formulations and reducing overall production costs to meet customer requirements.

Volunteer

Junior Executive Member

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JeevAshray, IIM Raipur

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Expanded animal welfare outreach and led collaborative campaigns, enhancing club visibility and managing inter-club engagements.

Highlights

Expanded outreach and raised awareness of animal welfare through engagement with NGOs and media outlets, significantly increasing community involvement.

Led collaborative campaigns, including deworming drives and donation efforts, directly supporting community welfare initiatives.

Enhanced club visibility by improving coordination with campus bodies and increasing event participation, boosting engagement by 20%.

Served as a key liaison between MPR and Jeevashray clubs, effectively managing all engagement and requirements for seamless collaboration.

Volunteer Leadership

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NIFTEM Sports League

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Collaborated as a dedicated volunteer to successfully organize and manage impactful sports events, demonstrating strong teamwork and organizational skills.

Highlights

Collaborated as a dedicated volunteer to successfully organize and manage impactful sports events for the NIFTEM Sports League.

Showcased strong teamwork and organizational skills in coordinating event logistics and participant engagement.

Education

Indian Institute of Management Raipur

Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
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Master of Business Administration (MBA) Management

National Institute Of Food Technology Entrepreneurship And Management, NIFTEM, Kundli

Kundli, Haryana, India
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Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Food Technology Grade: 6.54/10

Kendriya Vidyalaya (CBSE)

Not specified, Not specified, India
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Class XII Science Grade: 69.16%

Kendriya Vidyalaya (CBSE)

Not specified, Not specified, India
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Class X General Studies Grade: 8.80/10

Publications

Foam Mat Drying of Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) Juice: Process Optimisation, Physico-Functional, Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Analysis

Journal of Springer Nature

Co-authored a peer-reviewed research paper detailing process optimization and analytical findings for converting jujube juice into a stable powdered form using an innovative foam mat drying method.

Languages

English

Hindi

Certificates

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Online Course (implied)

Introduction to Research and Development (NPTEL Certification)

NPTEL

Production and Operations Management (NPTEL Certification)

IIT Roorkee / NPTEL

Skills

R&D & Product Development

Beverage Product Development, Flavor Systems, Quality Control, Proprietary Sweetener Blends, Sugar Reduction Initiatives, Application Development, Oral Rehydration Solutions, Health/Electrolyte Drinks, Process Optimization, Physico-Functional Analysis, Phenolic Content Analysis, Antioxidant Analysis.

Operations & Supply Chain

B2B/B2C Sample Fulfillment, Logistics Optimization, Raw Material Inventory Management, Resource Allocation Efficiency, Production & Operations Management Principles.

Project Management

R&D Project Management, On-time Delivery, Strategic Alignment, Concurrent Project Management, Agile Methodologies.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Sensory Evaluations, Data-backed Insights, Product Specification Refinement, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership.

Analytical & Research

RSM (Response Surface Methodology), FFD (Fractional Factorial Design), Analytical Testing, Solubility, Flowability, Research & Development Fundamentals, Scientific Inquiry, Peer-Reviewed Publication.

Strategic & Business Acumen

Market Competitiveness, Business Growth, Innovation, Portfolio Expansion, Customer Engagement, Strategic Planning, Problem-Solving, Market Trends Analysis, Regulatory Challenges (Food Industry).

Leadership & Social Impact

Community Outreach, Campaign Management, Club Visibility Enhancement, Liaison Management, Village Adoption Program, Rural Entrepreneurship, NGO Collaboration, Government Body Collaboration, Training & Development.

Certifications

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, NPTEL Certification.

Projects

Foam Mat Drying of Jujube Juice: Process Optimisation, Physico-Functional, Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Analysis

Summary

A research project focused on optimizing the foam mat drying process for jujube juice, converting it into a stable powdered form. This involved applying advanced process optimization techniques and conducting comprehensive analytical tests.

Village Adoption Program

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Summary

Pioneered an initiative applying food technology and management principles to rural India to foster development and entrepreneurship.

Rural Entrepreneurship Project

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Summary

Orchestrated a project focused on fostering rural entrepreneurship by training villagers in food processing, quality, and business operations through collaboration with local NGOs and government bodies.