Sr. Lead Scientist Advanced Product

Lead Groundbreaking Product Innovations and Shape the Future of Sustainable Nutrition

Do you want to lead groundbreaking product innovations and shape the future of sustainable nutrition?

At the Cosun Innovation Center in Dinteloord, we are looking for a Senior Lead Scientist Advanced Product. The Senior Lead Scientist Advanced Product drives the execution of the Cosun Innovation and Technology strategy by leveraging internal and external Science and Technology assets in the area of Advanced Product technologies. This role will play a pivotal part in mobilizing resources to deliver the expected results for business impact, while fostering a positive atmosphere with the teams.

This position acts as the critical link between project commitments and expertise deployment, ensuring timely project prioritization, decision escalation, and continuous expertise development. You will work closely with executive leadership to unlock prioritization dilemmas while inspiring your teams to deliver against ambitious business targets.

About Cosun

Royal Cosun is a leading 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:

• Enable the execution of NPD, manufacturing, and/or research projects by deploying the right talent for the right need in alignment with the overall Cosun priorities, across project portfolios, and trigger prioritization clarification ahead of time where required.
• Contribute scientifically to the design and execution of the emerging technology program roadmaps.
• Empower and coach each individual in the team to deliver to the best of their ability towards the project requirements, and to support them in their continuous growth on the expertise and personal dimensions.
• Drive the RD&I transformation towards new capabilities and new culture by developing the internal capabilities in anticipation of the business needs and by actively contributing to the innovation culture.
• Possibly take on additional P3M roles, such as portfolio management officer, project manager, or project member as required.

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 is a visionary, strategic leader with a solid technical background in food product development, and with a passion for steering teams toward excellence. This leader will have the ability to influence and drive change within the Central RD&I organization and beyond, as well as engaging teams and individuals towards transformation.

This role is part of the Management Team of Corporate Invention and reports directly to the CTO.

Your profile

• (Master's or Ph.D.) in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, or a related field
• Scientific expertise in Biochemistry and/or Nutrition and/or Application/B2C product development and/or user Experience/Consumer behavior science & technologies
• More than 12 years industry experience with a specialism in Research & Innovation
• Deep understanding of RD&I Function and Capability development
• Proven track record of managing a team of subject matter experts
• Experience in successfully managing project delivery in complex matrix organisations, including senior stakeholder management and influencing
• Extensive experience with P3M guidelines: portfolio, programme, project management and resource-deployment
• Familiarity in intellectual property management and collaboration with external public / private knowledge partners
• Warm and compassionate leader with the growth of the team members at heart
• Analytical, data-driven and well-organised
• Great communication skills and ability to inspire with impact

What do we offer?

Step into a leadership role where innovation meets purpose! You will have the chance to shape the future of sustainable nutrition and leave a lasting impact. Here’s why this opportunity is exceptional:

• Drive groundbreaking product innovations that transform plant-based solutions for generations to come
• Collaborate directly with senior leadership and play a decisive role in strategic priorities
• Coach talented experts and foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence
• Competitive salary (€6,700 – €9,700 per month), solid pension plan, and flexible working hours
• Join a visionary team that values trust, ambition, and bold thinking

Where will you work?

You will be part of the Management Team of Corporate Invention 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