MTR Foods is the Bengaluru packaged food brand behind ready-to-eat curries, breakfast mixes such as rava idli and upma, sambar and rasam powders, masalas, pickles and snacks. The brand began with the Mavalli Tiffin Room restaurant in Bengaluru in 1924 and moved into instant foods in the 1970s. The Norwegian group Orkla bought the packaged foods business in 2007. The company merged with Kerala’s Eastern Condiments, and in 2023 it was renamed Orkla India Limited. Orkla India listed on the NSE and BSE in November 2025. People search for MTR Foods careers because the company offers food manufacturing, quality, R&D and sales jobs. These suit ITI and diploma holders, food technology and science graduates, engineers and MBA candidates, especially in South India.
Jobs are concentrated around Bengaluru, where the company is headquartered and where MTR’s main manufacturing operations are based, and in Kerala, the home of the Eastern spice business. Orkla India’s IPO documents state that it has nine owned manufacturing facilities in India, located close to raw material sourcing areas. It also works with contract manufacturers in India and overseas. Sales and distribution roles cover Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and other markets.
Hiring usually happens through the company’s official websites and job postings, campus placements, apprenticeship schemes and authorised agencies for some plant roles. Openings change throughout the year. This article is an independent guide and is not the official website of MTR Foods, Orkla India or the Orkla group. Note that the MTR restaurants are separately run and are not covered here.
MTR Foods Careers 2026 – Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company | Orkla India Ltd (formerly MTR Foods Pvt Ltd), owner of the MTR and Eastern brands |
| Industry | Packaged foods – ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, spices and masalas |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Key Locations in India | Bengaluru (head office and MTR manufacturing), Kerala (Eastern operations), sales offices across South and West India |
| Job Types | Food production, retort/RTE processing, spice processing, QA, R&D, maintenance, sales, supply chain |
| Fresher Salary (Indicative) | ₹12,000 – ₹30,000 per month |
| Experienced Salary (Indicative) | ₹35,000 – ₹1,50,000 per month |
| Minimum Education | 10th/ITI for operator roles; diploma, B.Sc/B.Tech Food Technology, B.E., MBA for staff roles |
| Experience | Freshers and experienced |
| Training Programs | Apprenticeships, trainee hiring in production/QA, internships, on-the-job training |
| Work Type | Full-time; shift-based at plants; field-based in sales |
| Official Hiring Channel | Official MTR Foods / Orkla India websites (e.g. mtrfoods.com), campus drives, apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| Selection Process | Screening, technical test or interview, HR round, medical, offer |
About MTR Foods in India
MTR’s packaged food business is now part of Orkla India Limited, which also owns Eastern, the Kerala spice and masala brand. Eastern Condiments was acquired in 2020-21 and merged into the company in 2023. Orkla holds the majority stake, and the company completed its stock market listing in November 2025 through an offer for sale by existing shareholders. For FY2025, Orkla India reported revenue of about ₹2,455 crore.
According to its IPO documents, as of June 2025 the company had 2,586 employees on its payroll and 923 contract workers. It operates nine owned manufacturing facilities with a combined installed capacity of over 1.8 lakh tonnes a year, supported by contract manufacturers in India, the UAE, Thailand and Malaysia. Its products are also exported to markets with large Indian communities.
Types of Jobs at MTR Foods
Production Operator (RTE and Mixes)
Operators run mixing, cooking, retort sterilisation and pouch-filling lines for ready-to-eat meals and breakfast mixes.
Spice Processing Operator
These operators handle cleaning, grinding, blending and packing of spices and masalas, which is especially important for the Eastern business in Kerala.
Food Technologist / R&D Executive
Food technologists develop new recipes, improve shelf life and scale up products from the kitchen to the factory.
Quality Assurance Executive
QA executives monitor HACCP, microbiology and sensory checks, and handle FSSAI and export compliance documentation.
Maintenance Engineer
Maintenance engineers keep retorts, boilers, grinders and packing machines running, with preventive maintenance routines.
Sales Officer
Sales officers manage distributors and retailers for MTR and Eastern products in an assigned territory.
Supply Chain and Planning Executive
Planners handle demand forecasting, production planning, warehousing and dispatch to depots.
Procurement Executive (Spices and Agri Inputs)
Procurement executives source chillies, coriander, turmeric, rice, lentils and packaging, and check quality and price.
MTR Foods Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary (₹) |
|---|---|
| Apprentice (ITI/Diploma) | ₹12,000 – ₹15,000 (stipend) |
| Production Operator | ₹15,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Production Trainee | ₹18,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Quality Assurance Executive | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 |
| Food Technologist | ₹28,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Sales Officer | ₹28,000 – ₹42,000 |
| Maintenance Engineer | ₹32,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Plant / Regional Sales Manager | ₹90,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
These figures are indicative and based on publicly reported salaries and job postings for Bengaluru and Kerala food companies. Actual pay depends on qualification, experience, role and location.
MTR Foods Freshers Jobs
Freshers in Karnataka and Kerala can look for production operator and helper roles at food plants. ITI and diploma holders can also look for apprenticeship seats. Food plants value cleanliness, discipline and the ability to follow standard operating procedures, and freshers with these qualities can grow quickly.
B.Tech or M.Sc food technology graduates are a good fit for production trainee, QA and R&D roles. Bengaluru’s food-processing cluster means that experience at MTR Foods is valued by other packaged food companies too. Internships during college can help build a profile.
Graduates and MBA freshers may start in sales, as sales trainees or sales officers, or in supply chain planning. Knowledge of Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil or Telugu is often useful for field roles.
Before applying, it helps to understand the product range. MTR is strongest in breakfast mixes, ready-to-eat meals and South Indian masalas, while Eastern is a leading spice and masala brand in Kerala. In interviews, freshers who can talk about how these products are made, stored and sold usually stand out. A short certificate course in food safety or HACCP, or a plant visit or internship during college, can also strengthen a fresher’s resume for production and quality roles.
MTR Foods Training Programs
The company does not widely publicise named graduate schemes. The main training routes are:
Apprenticeship (NAPS/NATS)
Plants may engage ITI, diploma and graduate apprentices under government schemes, with stipends paid as per the norms.
Production and QA Trainee Hiring
Where vacancies exist, food technology and science graduates may join as trainees and rotate across production lines and quality labs.
Internships
Students in food technology, engineering and management may get project internships, subject to availability.
On-the-Job Food Safety Training
New plant staff are trained in GMP, hygiene, allergen control and HACCP before handling food independently.
Eligibility
- Age 18 years or above
- Qualification relevant to the role (ITI, diploma, B.Sc, B.Tech, MBA)
- Willingness to work in rotating shifts at the plants
- Good health and hygiene for food-handling work
- Knowledge of the local language for sales and plant roles
- Two-wheeler and licence for many field sales roles
Education Qualification
Common qualifications include:
- 10th/12th: helper and packing roles
- ITI (Fitter, Electrician, Mechanic): technician and apprentice roles
- Diploma in Food Technology or Mechanical/Electrical: production and maintenance roles
- B.Sc/M.Sc in Food Science, Microbiology or Chemistry: QA and lab roles
- B.Tech in Food Technology: production trainee and R&D roles
- MBA: sales, marketing, supply chain and HR roles
Selection Process
- Apply online through the official website, a job portal posting or a campus drive.
- HR screening of your resume.
- Telephonic or in-person preliminary interview.
- Technical test or interview on food processing, quality or engineering.
- Practical test for technician and operator roles, where applicable.
- Final interview with the department head.
- Medical examination for food-handling roles.
- Document verification and offer letter.
Working Hours and Shifts
- Food plants typically run two or three shifts of about 8 hours each.
- QA staff may cover all shifts to monitor production.
- Corporate roles in Bengaluru usually follow general-shift timings.
- Sales roles involve daily market visits and travel.
Shift patterns depend on the plant, season and production schedule.
Benefits
- Provident Fund (PF)
- ESIC for eligible employees
- Gratuity as per law
- Group medical insurance
- Subsidised canteen at plants
- Transport facility at some locations
- Performance-linked bonus or incentives
- Paid leave as per company policy
Benefits depend on role, grade and employment type (permanent or contract).
Career Growth
Production Operator → Line Leader → Shift Supervisor → Production Manager → Plant Head
- QA executives can move into QA manager or regulatory affairs roles.
- Food technologists may grow into senior R&D and innovation roles.
- Sales officers can move to area manager and key account roles.
- As a listed company and part of the Orkla group, it may offer more structured career frameworks over time.
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- HACCP, GMP and FSSAI knowledge
- Understanding of retort processing and thermal sterilisation
- Spice grinding, blending and packing knowledge
- Microbiology lab techniques
- Sensory evaluation skills
- Preventive maintenance of food machinery
- Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil or Telugu communication
- Excel and SAP basics
- Distributor management for sales
- Attention to hygiene and detail
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- 10th/12th marksheets
- ITI, diploma or degree certificates
- Resume
- Passport-size photos
- Bank details
- Experience letters (if any)
- Medical fitness certificate, if required for food handling
Carry originals and photocopies for verification.
How to Apply Online
Step 1
Visit the official MTR Foods website (mtrfoods.com) or the Orkla India corporate website and open the careers section.
Step 2
Search openings by location (Bengaluru, Kerala or a sales territory) and function.
Step 3
Create a profile or follow the listed application method.
Step 4
Upload a resume that highlights your food processing, QA or sales skills.
Step 5
For apprenticeships, register on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and search for food-processing establishments in Karnataka and Kerala.
Step 6
Students can follow campus and off-campus drives through their placement cells.
Step 7
Attend the interviews and tests as scheduled.
Step 8
Complete medical and document verification, then accept the offer and join.
Beware of Fake Job Offers
Scammers sometimes use well-known food brands like MTR to post fake jobs.
- Genuine hiring does not charge any fee.
- Check that recruiter emails come from an official company domain.
- Do not share OTPs or bank details.
- Apply only via official websites and verified listings.
- Report fraud at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.
MTR Foods Careers 2026 – FAQs
Is MTR Foods now Orkla India?
Yes. MTR Foods was renamed Orkla India Limited in 2023 and listed on the stock exchanges in November 2025. The MTR and Eastern brands continue.
What is the fresher salary at MTR Foods?
Indicatively, operators may earn ₹15,000 to ₹22,000 per month and production trainees ₹18,000 to ₹25,000, depending on location.
What qualification is needed for QA jobs?
Usually a B.Sc or M.Sc in microbiology, chemistry or food science, or a B.Tech in food technology.
Does MTR Foods offer apprenticeships?
Plants may engage apprentices under NAPS or NATS where seats exist. Check apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
Where are MTR Foods jobs located?
Mainly in Bengaluru and Kerala, with sales roles across South and West India.
How do I apply?
Through the official MTR Foods or Orkla India careers pages, verified job postings or campus drives.
Is there any fee for MTR jobs?
No. Genuine hiring is free. Never pay anyone for a job.
Are MTR restaurant jobs part of this?
No. The MTR restaurants are run separately from Orkla India’s packaged food business.
Final Words
MTR Foods, now Orkla India, offers food manufacturing, quality, R&D and sales careers, especially in Karnataka and Kerala. Freshers may start in plant, QA or sales trainee roles, while experienced candidates can target engineering, R&D and management positions. Build food safety and technical skills, prepare your documents and apply only through official channels. Keep checking official pages, because openings at food plants change with seasons and new product launches.
Disclaimer: Salaries in this article are indicative. This is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with MTR Foods, Orkla India Limited or the Orkla group. No job or salary is guaranteed. Verify all openings on the official careers pages, and never pay any fee to anyone for a job.
Tags
Production Operator Salary ₹18000
Production Trainee Salary ₹21000
Quality Assurance Executive Salary ₹32000
Food Technologist Salary ₹36000
Maintenance Engineer Salary ₹43000