IEC Cocoa Butter Technology Manager

TL;DR

IEC Cocoa Butter Technology Manager (Cocoa Processing): Manage R&D projects for ingredient innovation in cocoa butter, pursuing new technologies, digitization solutions, and production optimizations with an accent on experimental design, pilot-to-industrial scale-up, and stakeholder collaboration. Focus on designing and executing lab/pilot experiments, building supplier networks, and implementing innovations in factories.

Location: Koog a/d Zaan, Netherlands

Company

Global leader in sustainable food and beverage ingredients including cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices, with 20,000+ employees across 51 countries.

What you will do

• Manage R&D projects from idea generation to factory implementation, including IP/patents.
• Design and execute experiments in lab and pilot plant independently or with technicians.
• Set timelines and objectives for quality and speed in innovation delivery.
• Provide technical support for decision-making and knowledge building.
• Build networks with institutes and suppliers in food manufacturing.
• Collaborate across departments to test new ingredients and identify portfolio improvements.
• Present vision and achievements at all levels in hirify.global Cocoa; occasional travel required.

Requirements

• MSc in Food Technology, Chemistry, or Biotechnology.
• At least 3 years research experience with edible oils and fats.
• Experience in experimental design, execution, and complex data analysis.
• Self-starter with hands-on approach and can-do mentality.
• Strategically minded, integrating stakeholder inputs; strong leadership and influence skills.
• Prhirify.globalcient in spoken and written English; Dutch is a plus.

Culture & Benefits

• Driven by purpose: 'Be the change for good food and a healthy future'.
• Sustainability integrated across operations, addressing farmer poverty, deforestation, and emissions.
• Equal opportunity employer.