Senior Technology Specialist - Process Design Expert

FrieslandCampina's Ingredients and Specialised Nutrition operations are pushing the boundaries of process innovation through greenfield developments, brownfield transformations, and complex multi-million euro investment projects. As a senior technology specialist focused on process design, you'll be the systems thinker who connects the dots—designing complete production facilities from concept to reality, not just optimizing individual unit operations. You'll translate product requirements into breakthrough process architectures, lead major capex initiatives, and bridge R&D innovation with manufacturing execution across our most complex factories. Ready to design the dairy processing facilities of tomorrow while working on projects that truly matter for infant, sports and medical nutrition?

What we ask

You're a process design generalist who sees the complete picture. You thrive on designing entire production systems—connecting membranes, evaporators, dryers, and chromatography into cohesive, innovative facilities. You've made your meters in complex processing environments, learned from both successes and setbacks, and know how to navigate the full journey from conceptual design through commissioning. You're as comfortable presenting to marketing and sales as you are diving deep into heat and mass balances with engineers.

Your profile includes:

• Academic master's degree, PhD, or PDEng in Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, or related field;
• Minimum 10 years of proven experience in food or chemical processing industries, with demonstrated track record in process design and development;
• Hands-on experience designing, developing, and commissioning production facilities—you've seen factories come to life and learned from the challenges along the way;
• Solid understanding of main dairy processing technologies (membrane filtration, chromatography, evaporation, spray drying) within complex processing environments;
• Proven ability to connect different unit operations into cohesive, optimized production systems rather than focusing on single technologies;
• Track record in major capex projects (€10M+) as process licensor or technical lead, managing conceptual design through implementation;
• Experience in infant food, pharmaceutical, or specialized nutrition sectors is strongly preferred;
• Strong analytical capabilities with ability to perform process calculations, mass/energy balances, and economic evaluations;
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills—you can convince and align diverse groups from R&D to operations to commercial teams;
• Assertive, collaborative personality with ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary environments;
• Fluency in English; Dutch or other languages are valued for our international context.

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 aligned with the seniority of this role;
• Performance-based bonus opportunities;
• Flexible working arrangements (40-hour work week with hybrid options);
• Competitive pension scheme and 8% holiday allowance;
• Health & wellbeing initiatives;
• Bike plan and corporate fitness scheme;
• Free milk, cheese, fruit and barista coffee at our headquarters.

Your Impact:

• Design complete processing lines for high value added products —projects worth tens of millions of euros;
• Shape how FrieslandCampina manufactures critical products for infant, sports and medical nutrition worldwide;
• Work on complex, chemical-plant-like processing facilities rather than simple dairy operations;
• 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.

Vacancy Description

As a senior technology specialist and process design expert, you'll lead conceptual design and process development for our most complex production facilities, mainly within Ingredients and Specialised Nutrition, acting as the systems integrator who transforms product requirements into world-class manufacturing reality.

Conceptual Process Design & Systems Integration:

• Design complete production facilities from scratch—connecting membrane filtration, chromatography, evaporation, spray drying and other unit operations into integrated, optimized systems.
• Develop process concepts for new product development projects in close cooperation with Marketing & Sales and R&D.
• Translate product requirements and customer specifications into feasible, innovative process architectures.
• Think beyond individual unit operations—you design the entire factory, not just components.
• Identify optimal process configurations that balance technical performance, economics, and sustainability.

Technology Selection & Innovation:

• Perform state-of-the-art process selection and introduce technological innovations to make products and processes better, smarter, and more sustainable.
• Continuously identify improvement opportunities by combining internal company knowledge with external expertise.
• Evaluate and select process technologies for greenfield and brownfield developments.
• Stay at the forefront of processing technology developments in food, pharma, and chemical industries.

Major Capital Projects Leadership:

• Act as process licensor for large capex projects (€10M+ to tens of millions), leading technical design through implementation.
• Develop technology master plans based on strategic requirements and long-term vision.
• Manage technical scope, perform economic evaluations, and build compelling business cases.
• Coordinate with engineering firms, equipment suppliers, and internal stakeholders throughout project lifecycle.
• Ensure successful commissioning and startup of new facilities—seeing designs come to life.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence:

• Work in multidisciplinary teams spanning R&D, Operations, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales.
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences—from operators to executives.
• Use persuasion and influence to gain alignment on technology choices and project direction.
• Bridge the gap between R&D innovation and manufacturing practicality.
• Represent technical perspective in strategic discussions about future production capabilities.

Knowledge Development & Standards:

• Develop process standards and design guidelines for complex manufacturing operations.
• Share learnings from project successes and challenges to build organizational capability.
• Mentor less experienced technologists in process design thinking.
• Contribute to FrieslandCampina's technical knowledge base on complex processing.

You will report to the technology manager and work within a specialized team focused on our powder production facilities—FrieslandCampina's most complex, chemical-plant-like facilities where the highest value products are manufactured.

Team Details

You'll join a specialized cluster within the Global Supply Chain Technology team of approximately 60 technologists. Your team is specifically responsible for the powder production facilities—the most complex production environments within FrieslandCampina. These aren't simple cheese or milk factories; they're sophisticated processing operations producing high-value ingredients for infant nutrition, medical nutrition, and performance nutrition.

Unlike many other areas where specialists dominate, we need generalists who can connect different technologies into complete systems. Think of it like designing an entire car rather than just being an expert on batteries or tires. Your role is to see the whole picture and make all the pieces work together effectively.

This position fills shoes left by a valued colleague who passed away—someone who combined deep technical expertise with the ability to design complete facilities and lead major projects. We're looking for someone who can bring that same combination of technical depth and systems thinking while adding their own strengths to our team.

You'll be based at FrieslandCampina's Innovation Centre in Wageningen, the heart of our research and development activities. Here, we combine cutting-edge science with practical application, working alongside researchers, technologists, and product developers to drive innovation from concept to factory implementation. Wageningen's vibrant knowledge ecosystem—home to Wageningen University & Research—provides unique opportunities for collaboration and staying at the forefront of food technology developments.

About our location:

• State-of-the-art facilities with pilot plants and testing capabilities;
• Collaborative environment connecting research, technology, and operations;
• Easily accessible location in the heart of Food Valley;
• Free milk, cheese, fruit and barista coffee to fuel your innovation.

Our team values systems thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and the pragmatic application of deep technical knowledge. About half our team holds PhD or PDEng qualifications—this is high-level technical work that requires both academic rigor and practical experience. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who have designed facilities, commissioned plants, learned from setbacks, and celebrate successes together.