8 Senior Specialist - NPD

Arla Foods; Denmark; On-site; DKK 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla Foods is seeking an experienced product developer to lead breakthrough dairy beverage innovations at our Aarhus Innovation Centre, with close collaboration to our Esbjerg production site. You will guide development projects from concept through trials, industrialisation and launch, balancing taste, cost, quality and regulatory requirements.

With a master’s degree in a related field and at least five years in dairy or beverage product development, you will work across commercial, technical

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• At least five years of product development experience in dairy/beverage.
• Experience leading cross-functional development projects.
• Strong knowledge of beverage formulation and manufacturing.
• Good business understanding and ability to drive from concept to launch.
• Proficient in English and Danish communication.

Responsibilities

• Translate consumer and business opportunities into innovative dairy beverage products.
• Lead product and process development from formulation to industrial implementation.
• Collaborate with brand managers and Innovation colleagues as a technical expert.
• Build subject-matter expertise in long-life ambient products and processes.
• Maintain clear project plans, timelines and risk assessments.

Skills

Product development

Cross-functional leadership

Beverage formulation

Project management

English fluency

Danish communication

Education

Master's degree in food science

Job description

Are you an experienced product developer with a passion for milk-based beverages? Join our Innovation team and lead the development of products for some of the world’s best-known beverage brands.

You will be based primarily at our state-of-the-art Innovation Centre in Aarhus and will also work closely with colleagues at our production site in Esbjerg. You will join the Innovation team within our Milk-Based Beverages business unit. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to help shape the future of beverages for brands such as Starbucks, Cocio, Mars and Mondelez, this could be the opportunity for you.

How You Will Make An Impact

Your main goal will be to develop breakthrough products and line extensions across the milk-based beverages category. You will lead multiple product and process development projects from initial concept and formulation through trials, validation, industrialisation and launch. With a hands‑on approach, you will bring together internal and external stakeholders and translate technical possibilities into commercially relevant solutions.

You will combine technical expertise with strategic thinking and close collaboration across commercial, technical and operational functions. You will succeed by delivering technically robust, commercially relevant products on time while balancing consumer appeal, quality, cost, legal requirements and manufacturing feasibility.

• Translate consumer and business opportunities into innovative products that give Arla a commercial advantage.
• Optimise the cost, quality and value of new and existing products in close collaboration with global marketing, suppliers, Supply Chain and other stakeholders.
• Lead product and process development from formulation and recipe finalisation through cost management, quality assurance, legal assessment and industrial implementation.
• Partner with brand managers and Innovation colleagues as a trusted technical expert in development discussions and decision‑making.
• Build and apply subject‑matter expertise in key areas, particularly long‑life ambient products and their manufacturing processes.
• Maintain clear project plans, timelines, risk assessments and stakeholder updates throughout the development process.

What Will Make You Successful

You hold a master’s degree in food science, dairy technology, beverage technology or a related field and have at least five years of relevant product-development experience.

More specifically, we imagine that you have

• At least five years of experience in product development.
• Dairy or milk-based beverages.
• Experience leading cross-functional development projects with a hands‑on approach.
• Strong knowledge of beverage formulation and manufacturing.
• Sound business understanding and the ability to drive projects from concept to launch.
• The ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly and build trusted relationships across organisational levels and with external partners.
• Professional fluency in English, both written and spoken, and the ability to communicate in Danish.

Experience That Would Be An Advantage

• Long-life or ambient beverage processing.
• Flavour application and collaboration with flavour houses.
• Industrial scale-up and production trials.

What do we offer?

At Arla, you will join a collaborative global community dedicated to creating high impact within food safety and quality. We are committed to professional development, internal mobility and building strong, supportive teams. You will have the opportunity to influence key strategic areas, work with passionate colleagues across the world and contribute to products enjoyed by millions every day. Our culture is built on trust, openness and a strong belief in learning and development.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

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