Bakery R&D Technologist

Konvert HR NV; Louvain-la-Neuve; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International R&D programs

Professional development

Competitive salary package

Multicultural environment

Job summary

Konvert HR NV is seeking an experienced Bakery Product Developer to lead yeast-based ingredient solutions across Europe. You will design trials, optimize formulations, and translate technical results into value for customers and stakeholders.

You will collaborate with R&D, marketing, and commercial teams, deliver demonstrations, and stay abreast of market trends. A 5+ year background in bakery development and strong English skills are required; French/Dutch is a plus.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Baking Technology, Milling Technology, or a related field; practical bakery training valued.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in bakery product development in premix manufacturers, industrial bakeries, or yeast ingredient companies.
• Expertise in bakery ingredient functionality, dough behavior, flour performance evaluation, and process optimization.
• Ability to design trials, analyze results, identify root causes, and resolve formulation challenges.
• Hands-on and autonomous in a laboratory and application environment.
• Commercial awareness to translate technical expertise into customer benefits.
• Strong collaboration across departments and with customers.
• Excellent presentation and communication; training sessions and workshops.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of French or Dutch is an asset.
• Willing to travel across Europe to meetings and HQ visits in China.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and enhance bakery solutions using yeast-based ingredients.
• Plan and conduct practical baking trials aligned with European market trends.
• Lead recipe formulation and optimize products for breads and pastries.
• Deliver technical solutions to strategic customers and bakery manufacturers across Europe.
• Organize bakery demonstrations in customer facilities, centers, and exhibitions.
• Translate customer specifications into scalable formulations and recommendations.
• Partner with commercial, marketing, and global R&D teams to support innovation.
• Monitor industry developments and ingredient advances in bakery processing.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, quality requirements, and internal R&D procedures.

Skills

Bakery product development

Dough behavior

Process optimization

Trial design

Customer collaboration

Presentation skills

English fluency

Willing to travel

Education

Degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Core Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and enhance bakery solutions utilizing yeast-based ingredients, including baker’s yeast, yeast extracts, yeast proteins, and other specialty baking components.
• Plan and conduct practical baking trials tailored to customer needs while aligning with current European bakery market demands and consumer trends.
• Lead recipe formulation and continuous product optimization for breads, viennoiseries, laminated pastries, and a wide range of fermented baked goods.
• Deliver technical expertise and customized product solutions to strategic customers and bakery manufacturers throughout Europe.
• Organize and perform bakery demonstrations in customer facilities, application centers, and industry exhibitions, both for individual clients and larger groups.
• Translate customer specifications and commercial opportunities into scalable formulations and effective technical recommendations.
• Partner closely with commercial, marketing, and global R&D teams to support innovation initiatives and business growth objectives.
• Monitor industry developments, competitor offerings, ingredient innovations, and advances in bakery processing technologies.
• Ensure all development activities comply with applicable regulations, quality requirements, and internal research and development procedures.

Qualifications & Professional Skills

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Baking Technology, Milling Technology, or a related field. Practical bakery training or hands-on experience as a baker is highly valued.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in bakery product development, ideally within premix manufacturers, industrial bakeries, or yeast ingredient companies.
• Strong expertise in bakery ingredient functionality, dough behavior, flour performance evaluation, and process optimization.
• Proven ability to design trials, analyze technical results, identify root causes, and resolve formulation challenges.
• Hands-on and solution-oriented professional capable of working autonomously in a laboratory and application environment.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to transform technical expertise into tangible customer benefits.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with experience working across departments and directly with customers.
• Excellent presentation and communication abilities, including delivering technical training sessions, demonstrations, and customer workshops.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken, for international collaboration; knowledge of French or Dutch is considered an asset.
• Flexible and willing to travel across Europe for customer meetings, trade fairs, and knowledge-sharing visits to the company’s headquarters in China.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge bakery and yeast-based innovations that help shape the future of the food industry.
• Involvement in international R&D programs and collaboration with multidisciplinary experts from diverse global markets.
• Ongoing learning, professional development, and long-term career advancement within a leading biotechnology organization.
• Competitive salary package along with an attractive range of employee benefits.
• A dynamic, innovative, and multicultural environment where expertise, creativity, and collaboration are encouraged and rewarded.

Employment Type: Full-time, site-based position

Experience Required: 5+ years of professional experience in bakery application development, baking technology, or a related sector