R&D Intern

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

Research & Design Internship (New Product Design)

We are looking for an enthusiastic Research & Design intern! Do you like variety in your work, are you hands-on and do you want to give substance to this versatile and challenging role? Then read on!

Definition

The New Product Design Intern, together with the Product Design Technologist, will deliver developments to the market meeting the quality, cost and timings expected. This exciting role requires close interaction with marketing, operations, and operational service departments to ensure that developments are in line with marketing, procurement and operations strategies. You will be responsible for driving projects forward and involved in projects at different stages of the innovation process.

Key responsibilities and achievements

• Opportunity to have your own project under supervision of a Product Design Technologist while also supporting with other projects across the spectrum of Verkade and Sultana portfolio
• Producing development recipe options to meet a brief (meeting time, prime cost and quality criteria)
• Working in the test bakery to create prototypes and presenting to team and translating feedback into recipe and/or process developments
• Ensure that all work is carried out in a safe and hygienic manner, following factory or bakery general manufacturing practices (GMPs)
• Closely collaborating with Technical Operations, Ingredients Experts, Health & Nutrition, Regulatory teams and potentially external suppliers to create and deliver appropriate solutions to defined technical hurdles
• Support Product Design Technologist in effective scheduling of project tasks and identification of resource requirements (time, money, people)
• Support Product Design Technologist in the development of a project risk assessment, including promoting and contingency plans
• Raise any technical or project related issues that might affect quality, cost or time of delivery with Product Design Technologist
• Keep comprehensive records of all work carried out and report results and recommendations as appropriate
• Contribute to idea generation sessions where appropriate
• Schedule & participate in product shelf life evaluations

Who are you?

• Passionate about food
• 3th or 4th years student with a Bachelor or Master Degree (in Food Science or similar is preferable)
• Take a proactive and creative approach to problem solving
• Able to work autonomously and organize your time to manage more than one project simultaneously
• Comfortable building new working relationships and networks with various functions within a business
• Enjoy variety in your day-to-day role
• Able to work proficiently in both written and spoken English

What does Verkade offer you?

We offer you a unique opportunity to work at a large international FMCG company with well-known Dutch brands. The corporate culture is informal with a lot of attention for teamwork and results. Within this position you have many responsibilities and a wide range of tasks in which you can express all your qualities. You become part of an enthusiastic, compact team and are in close contact with other departments, both commercial and factory.

The internship compensation is € 475,- a month, based on a fulltime workweek. Finally, as an employee of Verkade, you will of course receive free cookies!