Plant-Based R&D Process Lead – Scale-Up & Validation

Puratos; Viadana; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welfare package

Training & development

Global R&D exposure

Career growth

Collaborative culture

Flexible working

Job summary

Puratos in Viadana, Italy is seeking an R&D Process Specialist for Plant Based & Fruit Fillings. You will bridge R&D and Operations, drive industrialization, optimization and validation of products and processes, ensuring smooth transfer from development to production.

You will lead pilot and scale-up trials, support formulation improvements and cost-saving initiatives, and collaborate with cross-functional teams across Europe to drive quality and innovation. Fluent English and Italian required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering or a related discipline.
• 3-5 years of experience in Food R&D, Process Development, Industrialization or a similar technical role.
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes, process validation and product industrialization.
• Experience with SAP/ERP systems is an advantage.
• Strong project management, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional and international environments.
• Fluent English and Italian.
• Curious about digital tools, data and AI, and comfortable learning new systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead product industrialization, scale-up and process validation activities, ensuring successful transfer of new products and processes into manufacturing.
• Plan, coordinate and execute pilot, factory and industrial trials, supporting the validation of first production runs.
• Support the development and optimization of Plant Based Solutions through formulation improvements, ingredient validation and cost-saving initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering and Product Development teams to improve efficiency, consistency and Right First Time performance.
• Support the Pozzolengo site in Fruit Fillings development, industrialization projects, troubleshooting and continuous improvement activities.
• Coordinate product lifecycle activities, including master data management, BOM maintenance, product creation, modifications and phase‑in/phase‑out processes.
• Prepare and maintain manufacturing instructions, validation reports, specifications and technical documentation in line with NPD procedures.
• Provide technical support to Sales, Marketing and Technical Advisors during customer projects, industrial trials and technical visits.
• Support root cause analysis, CAPA implementation and complaint investigations together with Quality and Operations teams.
• Monitor new ingredients, technologies and market trends, promoting innovation and best practice sharing across the local and Group R&D network.

Skills

Food R&D

Process Development

Industrialization

Project Management

Analytical Thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

International teamwork

English

Italian

Digital tools & AI curiosity

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology/Engineering

Tools

SAP/ERP

Job description

Puratos in Viadana, Italy is seeking an R&D Process Specialist for Plant Based & Fruit Fillings. You will bridge R&D and Operations, drive industrialization, optimization and validation of products and processes, ensuring smooth transfer from development to production.

You will lead pilot and scale-up trials, support formulation improvements and cost-saving initiatives, and collaborate with cross-functional teams across Europe to drive quality and innovation. Fluent English and Italian required.