Product Development Manager / R&D Flavour Expert Plant-Based Cheese | Upfield

About Upfield The future of food is plant-based, and it tastes incredible. We’re leading the way when it comes to creating delicious, natural, and nutritious foods that people want to eat and chefs want to cook with. We are the largest plant-based consumer product company in the world. We are the #1 producer of plant-based spreads globally, with iconic brands FLORA, RAMA, BLUE BAND, PROACTIV, BECEL, and COUNTRY CROCK. We are also the proud owner of the leading vegan cheese brand, VIOLIFE. Superior taste and quality are the standards we set for all our products. Fuel the future of flavor! We're looking to expand our Flavors team with an expert to develop groundbreaking plant-based creations, drive new technology innovations, and ensure excellence in our flavor portfolio management. Are you ready to be the architect of taste and shape the future of food? Read on!   As our Product Development Manager and R&D Flavor Expert, your role is a dynamic blend of creativity and precision, focusing on two key areas:  1.  Drive New Technology Development: In the heart of innovation, you will lead the charge in advancing science for plant-based and clean-label products. You will deliver the new technology in close collaboration with internal and external expertise to create the best-tasting food products in the world. This means working closely with our existing suppliers and actively seeking new partners with expertise in flavors and taste-enhancing ingredients. Your discerning palate and in-depth understanding of flavor chemistry and physics will be put to the test as you always are to enhance our flavors and recipes through the manipulation of ingredient physics and chemistry. 2. Technical Portfolio Management: Turning to the nitty-gritty of technical portfolio management, your primary focus will be on cheese and cream cheese solutions. Your role involves proactive maintenance and managing our current portfolio of flavors and suppliers. In the lab and on the field, you'll work closely with suppliers, developing and testing solutions on a pilot scale, ensuring a seamless transition to full-scale implementation. Factors like quality, cost and the complexity of the flavor portfolio are precisely managed.  Gatekeeping ensures clear quality and financial targets are set and met with our suppliers for product development.   Your material expertise ensures specifications are not just relevant but up-to-date, with all documentation readily available for any challenge.   Supplier management: regularly evaluate/challenge current suppliers on performance and innovation. Regular site visits/workshops.  Scouting suppliers and assessing technical capabilities.  Knowledge management, ensuring all new insights are properly documented and when relevant share, in the wider R&D community  Requirements A master’s degree or PhD, in Chemistry or Food chemistry, or equivalent education relevant to the flavour chemistry.   More than 5, preferably 10 years of professional experience in the field and business environment.   You have  excellent  tastebuds. Preferably experience with a sensory panel.   You have a track record in developing flavors and masking off Flavours.   Experience with Quality management systems is a plus.  You are a strong communicator and willing to travel when required.   You’ll match Upfield with your can-do mentality. You are a self-starter and you bring an entrepreneurial and independent work mentality while working in (together or side by side) our flavor team. You are flexible, energetic and have the willingness to adapt to a fast-changing environment. You are proactive, disciplined, and eager to learn.   Benefits Are you excited about this role? Then apply or contact Grapefrute today to discuss this exciting opportunity. If you choose to respond to this listing, please do not apply on the employer’s website or through any other means. Grapefrute is contracted with this company and has direct communication with the hiring manager and HR department. When we present you as a candidate, you are considered more quickly and in more detail than when you apply on the employer’s site. Grapefrute works with transparency and integrity, and we will be your point of contact throughout the whole hiring process. Are you interested in learning more about the trends and innovations in the industries we work for, check our blogs to be completely up to date, or follow us on Linkedin , Xing Twitter , Facebook & Instagram!