Global R&D Laboratory Lead - Cocoa Science

Barry Callebaut Group; Lebbeke; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Barry Callebaut Group seeks an R&D Laboratory Lead – Cocoa Systems Science to drive experimental capabilities across cocoa research programs. You will translate priorities into robust experimental designs, analytical strategies and actionable knowledge while collaborating with project teams.

You will own the lab capability roadmap, support data capture and analytics with LIMS and Power BI, and act as a scientific interface with R&D, QA, Operations and external partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or related discipline.
• R&D background: Minimum 7 years in food/ingredient R&D laboratory environments.
• Strong grasp of experimental design, analytical science and data interpretation.
• Ability to translate business priorities into practical experimental setups.
• Experience aligning multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Strong writing and verbal skills to explain technical conclusions.

Responsibilities

• Implement experimental strategies across Cocoa Systems Science projects with robust design.
• Define experimental programs by identifying methods, technologies and capabilities.
• Develop and coordinate laboratory capabilities to support programs.
• Provide scientific and technical expertise to project teams and interpret results.
• Coordinate analytical approaches across internal R&D and QA labs and partners.
• Translate results into insights to support project decisions.
• Own lab capability roadmap and digitalization, including LIMS and Power BI dashboards.
• Interface with R&D, QA, Operations, Sourcing and external partners.
• Apply good experimental practices and scientific rigor across activities.

Skills

Cross-functional coordination

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Experiment design

Autonomy / hands-on

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Food Science

Tools

LIMS

Power BI

Job description

About The Role

The R&D Laboratory Lead – Cocoa Systems Science ensures implementation of the Cocoa Systems Science roadmap by developing and coordinating the experimental and analytical capabilities required across cocoa research programs.

The role combines strong scientific expertise with experimental program coordination, translating research priorities into robust experimental approaches, analytical strategies and actionable scientific knowledge. It works closely with project and functional teams, providing expertise and coordination without owning the overall Cocoa Systems Science strategy.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Implement the development and execution of experimental strategies across Cocoa Systems Science projects, ensuring robust experimental design and scientifically sound approaches.
• Contribute to the definition of experimental programs by identifying appropriate methods, technologies and capabilities needed to address key research questions.
• Develop and coordinate laboratory capabilities required to support current and future Cocoa Systems Science programs.
• Provide scientific and technical expertise to project teams, supporting experimental design, interpretation of results and development of conclusions.
• Coordinate analytical approaches and capabilities across internal R&D and QA laboratories and relevant external scientific partners.
• Translate experimental results into scientific insights and recommendations that support project and program decisions.
• Contribute to the development of the laboratory capability roadmap, identifying needs and opportunities related to equipment, analytical methods, technologies and external capabilities.
• Strengthen scientific knowledge capture and reuse, ensuring experimental results, protocols and learnings can support other Cocoa Systems Science projects.
• Own digitalization of laboratory and experimental activities by improving structured data capture, contributing to LIMS implementation, and developing Power BI dashboards that make project data, results and key indicators accessible for analysis and decision-making.
• Act as a scientific interface with relevant R&D, QA, Operations, Sourcing and external partners for laboratory and experimental activities.
• Implement good experimental practices and scientific rigor across laboratory-based Cocoa Systems Science activities and share expertise with colleagues where relevant.

Expected Outputs and Impact

• Strong experimental and analytical support for Cocoa Systems Science programs.
• Robust scientific approaches and high-quality experimental data supporting project decisions.
• Improved connection between laboratory capabilities and Cocoa Systems Science research priorities.
• Effective coordination and use of internal and external analytical and scientific capabilities.
• Stronger capture and reuse of scientific knowledge across projects.
• A clear and prioritized view of future laboratory capability needs, including equipment, methods, technologies and external support.

About You

• Master’s degree or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Fluent in business English. Additional languages are an asset.
• R&D background: Minimum 7 years of experience in food, ingredient, or related R&D laboratory environments and experimental programs.
• Scientific data analysis: Strong grasp of experimental design, analytical science, and interpreting complex data.
• Commercial translation: Ability to turn business innovation priorities and scientific questions into practical experimental setups.
• Cross-functional coordination: Experience aligning multidisciplinary teams, internal departments (Quality, Operations, Sourcing), and external partners.
• Technical communication: Strong writing and verbal skills to clearly explain technical conclusions to diverse stakeholders.
• Accountable execution: Highly autonomous, practical, and hands-on with a strong focus on laboratory safety and reliable results.
• Resilient & collaborative: Adaptable to dynamic R&D environments, with a strong commitment to knowledge sharing and teamwork.

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.