Program Manager UX

Do you want to put the consumer at the heart of innovation and create world-class user experiences?

At the Cosun Innovation Center in Dinteloord, we are looking for a Program Manager UX. The program manager for User Experience (UX) designs, develops, and drives the implementation of the strategy and priorities for this emerging key technology platform. This role will play a pivotal part in shaping the technology roadmap, overseeing program execution, and embedding internal capabilities.

This position acts as the critical link between high-level technology strategy and hands-on project execution, ensuring alignment across teams and translating ambitious ideas into impactful results. You will work closely with executive leadership to shape research directions towards business impact while empowering interdisciplinary teams to deliver.

About Cosun

Royal Cosun is a leading international agricultural cooperative and is owned by approximately 8,100 sugar beet growers. Our purpose is clear: we aim to contribute to an enjoyable, nutritional and circular world by unlocking the full potential of plants and people for current and next generations. This purpose is rooted in 125 years of Cosun history in successfully valorizing arable crops, such as sugar beets, chicory and potatoes, and co-products into a diverse portfolio of value-added products.

Your main mission is to:

• Drive the RD&I transformation towards user centricity by developing the internal & external capabilities related to user insights and technical competitive landscaping, and their associated change management.
• Engage BG and RD&I teams towards User Experience in everything we do, to deliver growth through superior products and meaningful claims, putting the consumer at the heart of product development with the aim to ensure competitive differentiation and market success.
• Generate project ideas to support the emerging technology strategy and its associated roadmap, and ensure the successful execution of the projects and embedding of the change.
• Provide guidelines to ensure world-class User Experience in all our products, by uncovering consumers and customers’ drivers of liking and their related technical features.
• Facilitate and manage the people side of change within the organization by empowering the direct and indirect teams as ambassadors of consumer centricity for further roll-out in the full organization.

This role requires the individual to interface with multi-disciplinary teams and key capabilities in RD&I and to be a respected business partner to the BG commercial teams. The applicant should bring expertise and experience in sensory, consumer and design research together with a passion for bringing the consumer voice into the business. They will have the ability to influence and lead change with key business partners, as well as engaging teams towards transformation.

Your profile

• University degree (Masters or PhD) in Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Food Science, Design, Psychology or related fields.
• At least 10 years with a strong expertise in sensory and consumer research (behavior, qualitative and quantitative), preferably in the Food industry.
• Experience in successfully managing complex technology programs, involving the crafting of strategic directions, the creation and oversight of projects, and a strong dimension of change management on the human side.
• Business and results oriented, demonstrating a high level of scientific rigor and business acumen.
• Solid experience of collaborative working (including cross-functional teams), with strong leadership (including complex matrix environment) and inter-personal skills for dealing with and influencing a variety of people, both in profile, experiences and seniority level.
• Curious, organized and able to drive conviction-based arguments and activities – challenging the status quo.
• Good communication skills and ability to inspire with impactful story telling/animation.
• A passion for bringing the voice of the users into product design and real-life launches.
• Resilience and adaptation to change, often with a certain degree of unclarity.

What do we offer?

You have the unique opportunity to put the consumer at the heart of innovation and shape world-class user experiences. Here’s why this position is exciting:

• Drive strategic programs that redefine how consumers interact with plant-based solutions.
• Collaborate directly with senior leadership and play a decisive role in shaping innovation strategies.
• Inspire teams to embrace consumer-centric thinking and create products that truly make a difference.
• Competitive salary (€6,100 – €8,600 per month), solid pension plan, and flexible working hours.
• Plenty of room for initiative, creativity, and professional growth within a leading international cooperative.
• Join a visionary team that values trust and ambition.

Where will you work?

You will be part of the Corporate Invention Team and report directly to the CTO. At the Cosun Innovation Center, you will collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver ambitious business targets and shape the future of plant-based solutions. Our team culture emphasizes trust, collaboration, and shared ambition, ensuring that everyone feels valued and included.

Waarom werken bij Cosun?

• Innovatieve en lerende omgeving
• Verbinding en samenwerking
• Voedsel- en duurzaamheidsimpact
• Ontwikkeling en verantwoordelijkheid
• Cultuur en vertrouwen
• Coöperatiegroei en verbetering
• Dynamisch & veelzijdig speelveld
• Werkplezier en veiligheid
• Werkplezier en teamprestaties