Product Development Specialist (Food) Wageningen • Independent Recruiters

Vacature in het kort

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By taking on this role, you will play a key part in driving innovation and revitalizing the product portfolio of our client. You will have the opportunity to bring your ideas and creativity to life both for their in-house brands and in collaboration with high-profile private label partners.

In this position, you will build strong cross-functional relationships with departments such as Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and other R&D teams. You’ll be joining efforts to push the boundaries of what dairy can offer, shaping the next generation of nutritious, healthy, and great-tasting products.

As a product development specialist, you will:

• Organize and perform renovation work (e.g., quality improvement, raw material contingency, new specifications, value engineering) on existing products, and carry out recipe transfers between factories;

• Lead and support the development and implementation of new product innovations, considering factors such as nutritional values, compliance with claims, shelf life, cost price, and organoleptic properties;

• Initiate and organize product and application tests on various scales (lab, pilot, factory), including analysis and interpretation of results, incorporated in well-written reports with support from colleagues in the team;

• Present findings to relevant stakeholders and peers;

• Work closely with various internal stakeholders across departments such as marketing, sales, supply chain, research, QA, technology, and procurement, as well as with external partners such as suppliers;

Gevraagd

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Processing, Dairy Technology, Physical Chemistry, or a related field;

• Minimum 3 years of experience in food product development (experience in fermented dairy is a strong plus);

• Strong communication skills in English (written and verbal);

• Key competencies: analytical, hands-on, digitally proficient, quality- and results-driven, proactive, organized, entrepreneurial, team player, and able to challenge and engage others effectively;

• Willingness to travel to production sites in the Netherlands and/or Belgium;

• Experience with SAP and/or an international working environment is a plus;

Aanbod

Through our agency, you will receive a contract for a one-year assignment (initially 9 months with a possible extension).

The salary range for this full-time role is between €5,000 and €5,500 gross per month, depending on your education and experience. Please note that this position is not available for ZZP’ers.

What will happen when you apply? Within four working days, we will let you know whether you are qualified for the position. If you are, we will schedule an interview (digital or in-person). In this interview, we will inform you about the vacancy, the company, and the procedure. If we both agree this is a suitable opportunity, we will introduce you to our client and continue to guide you through the entire application process. The Independent Recruiters Group has a large team of specialized recruitment consultants. Every recruiter has a strong focus regarding their field of expertise. This makes them the ideal sparring partner for both you, as the candidate, and the client.

Waar je gaat werken

Ready to shape the future of dairy?
Do you have a passion for creating delicious, indulgent, and nutritious products enjoyed by millions across Europe? Are you excited by the idea of turning fresh ideas into real products on supermarket shelves? Do you want to be part of an international team where creativity, ownership, and innovation are at the heart of everything?

We’re looking for a Product Development Specialist who’s ready to make a real impact, developing the next generation of fresh dairy products that excite and inspire. If you're driven by innovation, eager to see your work come to life, and want to help set new standards in the food industry, this is your opportunity.

Bring your ideas. Shape the future. Make dairy better.