Application Specialist - Pet Food

IFF; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

IFF is a global leader in flavours, fragrances, food ingredients, and health & biosciences, with a Brabrand, Denmark on-site role focusing on pet food applications. You will translate ingredient technologies into practical customer solutions and lead trials to enhance texture, palatability, and stability for dry and wet pet foods.

The position requires an MSc or Veterinary degree and at least 2 years of pet food experience, plus strong protein/hydrocolloid knowledge, and English fluency with IT

Qualifications

• MSc or Veterinary degree with at least 2 years in the pet food industry.
• Strong knowledge of proteins, hydrocolloids, emulsifiers, and nutrition.
• Fluent English and solid IT skills; able to translate science to customers.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical application support to pet food customers across EMEA, including on-site visits when needed.
• Design, execute, and follow up on application trials and projects, both internally and at customer locations.
• Translate ingredient technologies into commercially relevant application solutions.
• Act as a subject matter expert in proteins within pet food applications.
• Develop new application concepts aligned with market trends, strategic priorities, and product launches.
• Prepare accurate technical documentation and reports to support projects and customer communication.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to deliver integrated solutions.
• Deliver training sessions to customers and colleagues on applications and related processes.
• Contribute to R&D initiatives and patent-related activities.

Skills

English proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Public speaking / training

Project management

Education

MSc or Veterinary degree

Tools

Pilot plants

Analytical techniques

Applied methodologies and tools

Job description

Job Summary

Are you ready to shape innovative pet food applications and translate ingredient science into impactful customer solutions? IFF is a global leader in flavours, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, delivering sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Our Pet Food Applications team focuses on developing advanced solutions for dry and wet pet food, treats, and supplements—enhancing texture, palatability, and stability for evolving market needs. The role is based in Brabrand, Denmark (on-site). Be part of a collaborative, solution-oriented, and innovative team where together we can make a meaningful impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

• Provide technical application support to pet food customers across EMEA, including on-site visits when needed
• Design, execute, and follow up on application trials and projects, both internally and at customer locations
• Translate ingredient technologies into commercially relevant application solutions
• Act as a subject matter expert in proteins within pet food applications
• Develop new application concepts aligned with market trends, strategic priorities, and product launches
• Prepare accurate technical documentation and reports to support projects and customer communication
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to deliver integrated solutions
• Deliver training sessions to customers and colleagues on applications and related processes
• Contribute to R&D initiatives and patent-related activities

What Makes You The Right Fit

• Relevant educational background (preferably MSc or Veterinary degree) with at least 2 years of experience in the pet food industry
• Strong experience in pet food applications with solid knowledge of ingredient functionality
• Advanced technical expertise in proteins, hydrocolloids, and emulsifiers, combined with understanding of pet nutrition and food chemistry
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, pilot plants, and analytical techniques, including applied methodologies and tools
• Professional proficiency in English and strong IT skills
• Practical and commercially aware mindset with ability to translate technical insights into customer-relevant solutions
• Curious, creative, and solution-oriented approach, combined with a positive and proactive mindset and strong ownership of tasks
• Structured and disciplined way of working, with strong communication skills and confidence in presenting, training, and engaging stakeholders
• Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in diverse teams, with willingness to travel internationally (30–50 days/year)

How Would You Stand Out?

• Experience in leading complex customer projects or cross-functional initiatives
• Strong knowledge-sharing mindset with a collaborative and inclusive approach
• Ability to challenge existing solutions and contribute to innovative application concepts

Why Choose Us?

• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge ingredient technologies in pet food applications
• Exposure to global expertise and cross-regional collaboration within IFF
• Involvement in innovative projects shaping future pet nutrition solutions
• Supportive and collaborative team environment focused on knowledge sharing
• Continuous learning and development opportunities
• Meaningful impact on products that improve pet nutrition and wellbeing

For your awareness, IFF has announced its intention to sell its Food Ingredients Business to CVC Capital Partners. The sale is presently expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. The Food Ingredient business unit will remain a part of IFF until close and, at such time, it will transition to CVC Capital Partners. In applying for this position, you acknowledge your awareness that the position is a part of the Food Ingredient business unit and has been identified to transition to CVC Capital Partners.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more