For our headquarters in Groot-Bijgaarden, we are seeking an “R&D Manager Innovation Leader” to drive the Innovation Pipeline for the BU Patisserie Mixes. The role involves aligning with Group and BU strategy to support growth and drive innovation through customer visits and understanding their needs. It includes developing competencies, ingredients, products, services, and processes. Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders is also key.

Key Accountabilities

As an R&D Manager Innovation leader you:

• Manage the innovation cycle through the Stage & Gate process, lead the identification, development and launch of breakthrough innovations and drive the implementation of innovations in the markets. All of this aligned with Puratos Group’s purpose on Health & Well-being, sustainability and digitalization.
• Build and maintain an active internal and external network, including operations, countries, colleagues, customers, suppliers, research institutes, universities, and expertise centers to ensure knowledge building, documentation, and exchange.
• Identify and select new, disruptive, and emerging products, raw materials, ideas, technologies, processes, equipment’s, and trends, to feed innovation and optimize existing products and technologies.
• Organize regular brainstorms with key stakeholders and customers and identify partners to achieve the BU innovation strategy.
• Organize and supervise the training of both newcomers and advanced R&D managers and act as a people manager for the Patisserie Mixes Innovation team.

Who are we looking for?

• You have a degree in Bioscience Engineering or Food Technology with at least 8 years of experience including innovation projects and expertise in cereal-based food formulation and processing.
• You are passionate about food and inspired by understanding diverse consumer cultures in food.
• You are digital savvy, curious, and results-oriented, always striving for quality and continuous improvement.
• You show strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• You are a team player with strong communication skills and ready to network effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of Dutch and French is a plus.
• You are proficient in Microsoft Office
• You are willing to travel up to 20% of your time.

Why should you join Puratos?

You will be welcomed in a dynamic work environment where passion for innovation, team spirit and continuous improvement are key. You will actively participate in the development of innovative products. You can count on a competitive salary package with attractive benefits such as:

• Meal vouchers (8€/day)
• Group, dental and hospitalization insurance fully paid by Puratos
• 13th month pay
• Company car
• Minimum 5 training days per year
• Responsibilities and the possibility to take ownership of your work

Watch our corporate movie and feel the Puratos Magic.