Senior R&D Process Technologist

Senior R&D Process Technologist

Job Description

As Senior R&D Process Technologist, you will serve as our highest level expert in coffee processing technology. You will translate cutting-edge technological development into business impact across our global factory network. You will drive strategic technical initiatives and built the technology roadmap to shape the future of coffee processing. Senior R&D Process Technologist is a strategic position within the Technology Solutions team. Technology Solutions develops product, technology and ingredient solutions that enable growth with lower environmental impact, better nutrition, and competitive cost of goods.

Key tasks and responsibilities

You will:

• Build the Coffee Processing technology roadmap: Partner with R&D Category teams, Manufacturing, Procurement and Engineering to understand future business needs, identify opportunities, and spot capability gaps.
• Scan and assess new technologies: Track technology trends and map the external landscape. Evaluate where new coffee processing technologies could be applied across the JDE Peet’s product portfolio and factory network.
• Translate market trends into R&D work: Stay up to date on industry trends and consumer preferences. Turn insights into actionable R&D topics and influence business processes to enable broader, end-to-end projects.
• Define and execute the IP strategy for coffee processing: Own the intellectual property approach for this area. Drive patent generation within Technology Solutions, and support activities such as patent opposition, ringfencing, and idea generation based on patent insights (together with internal experts/specialists).
• Lead the research phase of technology projects: Define, scope and align coffee processing projects in the research phase, and prepare them to enter the technology development process (T4G).
• Coach and support teams: Provide expertise to program and category teams on coffee processing, new technologies, and/or product development. Support decision making and problem solving across projects.
• Build and manage external partnerships: Identify strategic external partners (universities, suppliers, research institutes, etc.). Act as a JDE Peet’s representative and ensure partnerships create maximum value for the business.

Qualifications

• Education in a Chemical Engineering, Food technology, Food science or Engineering food related technical field (e.g., Biochemistry, Food Chemistry and/or Chemical Engineering)
• Over 10+ years of proven track record with product development & innovation or process technologies in the food industry (R&D and/or Operations). Built up network in the area of expertise.
• Interaction and influence at a senior management level and broad business understanding
• Experience in manufacturing, process engineering, food safety, product/process design and commercialization
• Experience in multi disciplinary project teams and project management
• Experience in patent generation, landscaping and building IP strategy.
• Sound understanding of HACCP, food safety, legal, environmental and regulatory parameters
• Innovative Mindset: Passion for pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities.
• Business Acumen: Ability to balance technical excellence with commercial viability.

Company Description

About us:

JDE Peet’s is the world’s leading pure-play coffee company, with brands like Peet’s, L’OR, Jacobs and local icons across 100+ markets.

We work as one team guided by our values:

• Dare to Amaze
• Own It
• Make It Simple
• Win Together.

Here, you’ll find the freedom to innovate, the courage to take bold steps, and the support to grow your career in a global environment.

Why join us (what’s in it for you)

• Efficiency culture: we don’t believe in endless office hours, we work as a team to focus on what matters most, keep things simple, and deliver the best results efficiently.
• Real time to switch off and recharge: enjoy 25 vacation days + 12 ADV days every year - so you can take care of your mind and body, not just your inbox.
• Hybrid: 1 day/week working from home to support work-life balance
• Strong people protection: respect & equality, everyone has a voice; employee unions actively review and protect employee rights
• Learning budget: €1,500 net/year (can accumulate) for courses, certifications, conferences
• Growth & ambition: with regular performance reviews and strong internal mobility, you’ll have continuous opportunities to grow with us. More than 50% of our roles are filled by internal talent, both nationally and internationally.