Project Manager Innovation Zwolle • Ausnutria Netherlands

Are you passionate about driving innovation in the world of infant nutrition? At Ausnutria, we are seeking an energetic and results-driven Project Manager Innovation to join our Marketing organization, responsible for the Kabrita brand, which is active in infant and child nutrition. In this role, you will report to the category lead for products for children aged 2 years and older within the global organization. You will lead cross-functional innovation projects and bring exciting new product concepts to life, from initial idea to market launch. You thrive in an entrepreneurial environment where ideas quickly turn into action and innovation is part of everyday life.

You’ll collaborate with colleagues from R&D, regulatory affairs, product formulation, medical brand management, local marketing, and sales teams. Although there are no direct reporting lines, you will effectively lead without authority, influencing and guiding teams toward shared goals. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in a dynamic, fast-growing, international company.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams (including R&D, QA, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Regulatory, and Commercial) to deliver new products within established timelines and budgets, ensuring alignment with project goals.
• Oversee the initial stages of the New Product Development (NPD) process, including exploration and feasibility phases; subsequent development and implementation stages are in most cases managed by other members of the NPD department.
• Manage projects through the structured NPD funnel process, prioritising both innovation and compliance.
• Coordinate with internal departments and third-party manufacturing (TPM) partners for products produced outside company facilities.
• Ensure that new products comply with legal, regulatory, and corporate requirements.
• Maintain project schedules and coordinate input from stakeholders as needed.
• Facilitate communication among all functions to support project alignment and execution.
• Prepare and maintain project reports, including stage-gate documentation required for decision-making processes.
• Schedule project team meetings, develop agenda and minutes, follow up actions points with other team members, develop detailed project plans in project management tools and/ or excel, business case development, scenario planning, mitigation development etc…
• Communication towards (sr) stakeholders on project progress and back to project team

Ausnutria is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to providing high-quality nutritional products to consumers worldwide. With a rich heritage and a strong dedication to innovation and sustainability, Ausnutria b.v. has established itself as a trusted name in the dairy sector. Our mission is to contribute to the health and well-being of people by offering superior dairy solutions that cater to the nutritional needs of various life stages.

The Kabrita International Business Unit (KIBU) is one of Ausnutria’s four commercial entities and reports directly to the CEO of Ausnutria Dairy Corporation Ltd (Hong Kong listed company). Kabrita is the company’s flagship consumer brand and the global market leader in goat milk-based infant formula. This premium product is trusted by parents across the globe and continues to grow in reach and impact.

Our international KIBU team is headquartered in Zwolle and operates across six sales regions supported by five sales organizations worldwide. 

• A technical Bachelor or Master’s degree in food science or related discipline;
• At least five years of project management experience related to nutrition, FMCG, or food industry.
• You are a master in using project management and software tools (f.e. Weaver)
• You connect naturally with people from all backgrounds and know how to build trust and collaboration in cross-cultural teams.
• Collaborative and solution-driven, thriving in dynamic and entrepreneurial settings where innovation and initiative are encouraged.
• Comfortable with a dynamic or a changing environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Energetic, pragmatic, and driven to achieve results.
• Fluent in English; other languages are a plus.
• Passionate about innovation and business, committed to delivering high-quality products to market that support the revenue growth of the company
• You are highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to keep a strategic vision and drive impactful result
• Able to lead without authority, influence stakeholders, and ensure accountability across teams.

• We will offer you an environment where with a high support of personal growth;
• Working at a socially engaged and environmentally conscious organization; 
• A hybrid working environment requiring two days per week on-site.
• Travel up to 25%
• A salary between € 4,300.00 EUR & 6,400.00 euro (based on fulltime) depending on education and experience;
• 25 vacation days and the possibility to buy five more;
• A laptop and a phone;
• A vitality contribution of € 200.00 EUR or a discount through Bedrijfsfitness Nederland.