China Specialized Nutrition Product Development Expert

China Specialized Nutrition Product Development Expert at FrieslandCampina

Are you ready to shape infant nutrition in China's dynamic market?

As China Specialized Nutrition Product Development Expert, you'll bridge our R&D teams in the Netherlands and Corporate Affairs team in China—preparing infant formula registration dossiers, ensuring recipe compliance, and coordinating multiple parallel submissions for our Friso products. Join us if you have deep expertise in China's infant formula registration process and thrive at the intersection of science and compliance.

What we ask

You're a China infant formula product development expert with deep hands-on experience navigating China's infant formula framework. You thrive at the intersection of science and compliance, combining technical raw material, recipe and process knowledge with strategic dossier management. You're a natural coordinator who aligns diverse stakeholders, brings consistency to complex processes, and finds creative solutions within strict regulatory constraints while working seamlessly across cultures and time zones.

Your profile includes:

• master's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Regulatory Affairs, or related field;
• minimum 10 years of experience in infant formula business, with extensive hands-on experience preparing and managing China registration dossiers;
• deep understanding of China's regulatory framework for infant formula, including registration requirements, shelf-life study protocols, and compliance standards;
• hands-on expertise with recipe formulation and compliance: you understand the technical details of ingredients, nutritional specifications, and how formulation decisions impact regulatory approval;
• native or fluent Chinese speaker with strong English communication skills (Dutch not required);
• strong project coordination skills with ability to manage multiple parallel dossiers and align cross-functional teams;
• experience working in matrix organizations, coordinating between R&D, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Marketing;
• analytical problem-solver who identifies process improvements and brings consistency to complex workflows;
• familiarity with SAP PLM or similar product lifecycle management systems.

What we offer

Development & Growth:

• comprehensive learning programs and executive coaching;
• cross-functional development opportunities across our global organization;
• tailored development plans with exposure to strategic initiatives;
• exceptional support of cross-disciplinary movement to broaden your knowledge and growth paths.

Rewards & Benefits:

• competitive salary package aligned with the strategic importance of this role;
• performance-based bonus opportunities;
• flexible working arrangements (40-hour work week with hybrid options);
• competitive pension scheme and 8% holiday allowance;
• relocation support available for qualified candidates relocating to the Netherlands;
• health & wellbeing initiatives;
• bike plan and corporate fitness scheme.

Your Impact:

• own the R&D dossier process for Friso infant formula—one of our most strategic product lines;
• bring consistency and best practices to multiple parallel submissions, directly impacting speed to market;
• serve as the single entry point and coordinator for all R&D China dossier processes;
• leverage your international experience to strengthen our approach and learn from industry best practices;
• autonomy and trust to create longer term impact that helps bring better nutrition to the world;
• friendly and informal working environment with professional team members as sparring partners.

Job Description

As China infant formula product development expert, you'll own the preparation and coordination of R&D dossiers for Friso infant formula products, serving as the critical bridge between R&D teams in the Netherlands and the Corporate Affairs team in China. Your role is hands-on with recipe development, actively guiding formulation decisions to ensure regulatory success while coordinating the complex, multi-year journey from concept to market approval.

Your key responsibilities:

Dossier Ownership & Coordination:

• own end-to-end preparation of the new infant formula products registration process for R&D, managing the complete multi-year process from recipe development through approval;
• coordinate multiple parallel dossier submissions, bringing consistency and alignment across different product teams;
• serve as the single entry point for all China dossier matters within R&D, ensuring standardized approaches;
• manage shelf-life studies and technical documentation requirements.

Recipe Compliance & Technical Guidance:

• work hands-on with R&D teams on recipe formulation, providing guidance on ingredient selection, nutritional specifications, and formulation decisions;
• ensure formulations meet China infant formula standards while maintaining product performance and quality;
• coordinate with Quality Assurance to align raw material qualification, product specifications, and dossier requirements.

Stakeholder Management & Alignment:

• act as primary liaison with Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance teams, both in the Netherlands and China, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring alignment on requirements and timelines;
• collaborate with Marketing, QA, and Supply Chain to ensure integrated dossier preparation;
• manage expectations across functions and geographies, navigating competing priorities and tight timelines.

Process Improvement & Best Practices:

• identify opportunities to improve dossier preparation processes, drawing on your international experience;
• bring consistency to how we approach China submissions across different product teams;
• implement best practices and standardized procedures to increase efficiency and approval success rates;
• stay current on regulatory changes in China and proactively adapt strategies;
• support audit and inspection preparation related to China dossiers.

You will report to the Science & Technology Manager within Specialised Nutrition and collaborate closely with R&D teams in Wageningen, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, and our China-based colleagues in Shanghai.

Team Details

You will join the Science & Technology team within FrieslandCampina's Specialised Nutrition business group, consisting of highly skilled R&D experts covering diverse areas of product development for global markets. You'll be based at our R&D hub in Wageningen, a vibrant research and innovation environment offering state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative atmosphere focused on breakthrough ingredient development. This role requires frequent travel to Shanghai for stakeholder engagement with the Corporate Affairs team and local colleagues.

Our Science & Technology team is characterized by scientific excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and a shared commitment to bringing better nutrition to the world through cutting-edge specialized nutrition solutions. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who are driven by impact and innovation in an international environment that values openness, independence, and meaningful contribution.