Processing Technologist - Condiments

We are recruiting a Processing Technologist for the R&D Foods - GDC Condiments, located at HIVE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

The role reports into the Processing Lead Condiments.

The Processing Technologist is responsible for R&D activities related to process development for new cutting edge technologies and innovation, enabling the design of globally superior products for our fast-growing brands. These process development activities include pilot plant trials planning and execution, analyzing data, drawing technically supported conclusions and presenting results. Supporting other teams and projects with process knowledge and on trials execution is also part of this role.

JOB SUMMARY

• Process development: establish appropriate process technology, either existing or new in partnership with processing team for manufacturing a product to specification at lab-scale and pilot-scale.
• Process scale-up: partner with processing team to establish technology developed at pilot-scale to enable commercial production and factory trials
• Product Development: New product development via translating ideas first into lab and pilot scale prototypes to finally scalable, cost-effective, shelf stable recipes and core design blocks in line with technical insights, consumer expectations and nutrition, regulatory and IP guidelines.
• Design of Experiments (DOE): Develop an experimental plan in consultation with the TPL or WL and conduct firsthand experiments in kitchens, laboratories and the pilot plant, analytical tests and measurements, application in ways of product consumption to draw inferences.
• Data Analysis: Conduct a thorough analysis of the data derived through the DOE, build on the inferences drawn from the experiments and plan future course of action.
• Product characterization: use appropriate measurement techniques to characterize key attributes of the product, using either existing or developing new techniques in partnership with Analytical team or external labs.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

The Process Technologist is expected to have:

Professional Skills

• (Foods) Product and process development
• Knowledge or hands-on experience on process basic unit operations (emulsification, mixing, heating, pumping, etc.)
• Building and executing experimental plans
• Conducting standard food analytical measurements
• Data analysis, assessments, and technical reporting
• Working knowledge on MS Office – Excel, PowerPoint for data analysis, visualization, and presentation.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must.

Plus skills

• Food science and technology knowledge
• Basics of product and design safety in processed foods
• Basic awareness on commercial aspects of business, finance, marketing, regulatory and legal.
• Basic awareness on project management and agile WoW and tools.

Personal Skills

• Ability to seek, mine and process information from internal and external sources.
• Confidence in making presentations, demos and sharing the output of their work with others.
• Excellent team player with the right aptitude for working in a multi-cultural / global environment & with strong communication skills.

EXPERIENCE YOU SHOULD HAVE

• Professional technical education (minimum MBO 4, depending on subject and previous experiences), preferably HBO degree in the fields of Processing, Chemical Engineering, Food Science or related areas.
• Previous experience of working on food ingredients and food matrices as well as process development of food products is a plus.