Program Manager Co-Products HTS

Lead Strategic Programs for a Circular Future at Cosun Innovation Center

Do you want to lead strategic programs that unlock the full potential of co-products for a circular future?

At the Cosun Innovation Center in Dinteloord, we are looking for a Program Manager Co-product HTS (high-throughput screening). The program manager for co-product HTS 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 an international agricultural cooperative 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 full co-product valorisation by identifying, developing and disseminating the internal & external capabilities related to co-product valorisation, including HTS.
• Engage BG and RD&I teams towards Co-product valorisation in everything we do, to deliver growth through superior products and circularity, 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 project and embedding of the change.
• Provide an exciting, concrete roadmap towards a range of highly desirable, highly functional circular ingredients, by uncovering consumers and customers’ drivers of liking and their related technical feature(s).

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 co-products composition and business features, as well as familiarity with valorisation technologies such as fermentation or enzymatic conversion. 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 Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Biochemistry or related fields.
• At least 10 years with a strong expertise in co-products and valorization technologies, 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 shape the future of circular food solutions and lead transformative programs. Here’s why this position stands out:

• Lead strategic initiatives that unlock the full potential of co-products for a sustainable, circular future.
• Work closely with senior leadership and play a decisive role in shaping technology roadmaps.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and inspire a culture of creativity and progress.
• Competitive salary (€6,100 – €8,600 per month), solid pension plan, and flexible working hours.
• Plenty of room for initiative, professional development, and making your mark in a leading international cooperative.

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