Ingredient Specialist

MCO Health BV (part of the Nestlé group) is a leading player in the field of nutritional supplements and is active in the Netherlands with advisory brands such as Orthica and AOV. MCO is part of the Swiss Nestlé Health Science. MCO’s mission is to ensure optimal human health. Our commitment to good health means more than just offering some of the most effective nutritional products. We want to help people become as healthy as possible.

We are looking for a full-time Ingredient Specialist.

The Ingredient Specialist drives the end-to-end management and qualification of ingredients across the VMS portfolio, ensuring new and existing ingredients are successfully implemented, compliant, and fit for manufacturing. This role supports innovation, cost, maintenance, and compliance initiatives by leading ingredient qualification, managing specifications and documentation, and collaborating cross-functionally with QA, Procurement, Regulatory, and other stakeholders. Serving as a key technical resource and primary contact for assigned product formats, the specialist assesses risk, resolves issues, and partners with suppliers to enable reliable ingredient supply. Through these activities, the role ensures high-quality, safe, and compliant finished products while supporting efficient operations.

The main primary tasks:

Ingredient Qualification & Portfolio Management

• Leads ingredient and vendor site qualification for renovation, business maintenance, cost, and compliance projects
• Delivers assigned RACI responsibilities in projects and manages ingredient portfolio projects
• Develops and aligns raw material purchasing specifications (RMPS) and market requirements (MR) with vendors
• Creates and maintains SAP material numbers, specifications, and inspection plan inputs
• Manages ingredient documentation, including collection, review, storage, and database maintenance
• Defines and executes qualification testing plans, including sample coordination, lab testing, and result approval

Support to Producing Site(s)

• Identifies and resolves ingredient, vendor, and operational issues, including recurring specification concerns
• Provides exceptional release support and recommends mitigation actions based on risk
• Supports supplier monitoring plans and communicates risk assessments for HACCP inputs
• Implements RMPS and supports SAP integration activities

Compliance & Process Support

• Manages mitigation and closure of conditional approvals and derogations
• Develops and maintains SOPs and work instructions
• Supports ingredient lifecycle activities, including discontinuations, global initiatives, and specification approvals

We expect the following from an Ingredient Specialist:

• At least a Master’s degree or engineering degree in Food Sciences or related field
• 3+ years of operational experience in production, QA, product development, or project management
• Multilingual: English required, plus French, Spanish, or German
• Proficiency in SAP, formulation/specification systems, and standard tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong analytical skills, pragmatic, autonomous, and proactive
• Good communication skills and experience with coaching/teaching
• Experience with continuous improvement methods

As an Ingredient Specialist, you report to the Application Group Lead for the category and are part of the Operation department of MCO Health BV.

What can you expect from us:

• A position in an informal organisation with enthusiastic colleagues
• A role in a growing organisation where there is room for your own initiative