Cheese Technology Specialist (all genders)

FrieslandCampina; Beneden-Leeuwen; Hybrid; EUR 51,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Laptop and phone

Pension scheme

Annual leave 200 hours

Job summary

FrieslandCampina is seeking a Cheese Technology Specialist in Wageningen to lead the optimization of cheese production technologies. You will develop and safeguard processes, translate cheese knowledge into standards, and work with R&D, Operations, QA, Engineering, and Marketing to ensure initiatives are integrated into the business.

You will analyze data to improve yield, efficiency, and product quality, while navigating a multicultural project environment and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Academic degree in (Food) Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the food, chemical, or process industry.
• Solid understanding of dairy production; knowledge of cheese technology preferred.
• Natural affinity with data and digital tools; ability to turn complex data into impact.
• Experience with structured problem-solving and process optimization (Six Sigma Green Belt).
• Strong project and stakeholder management in multicultural environments.
• Proven collaboration with internal and external partners in technological development.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and safeguard technologies within cheese production processes.
• Contribute to improved milk yield, efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced product quality.
• Translate optimisations into practice and solve complex technical challenges.
• Lead Root Cause Analyses of complex issues within the factories.
• Translate cheese knowledge into technology standards and validate across production sites.
• Work in a data-rich environment and turn complex data into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, QA, Engineering, and Marketing to integrate initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and labeling standards.
• Provide training and support to employees on systems and tools.

Skills

Data analytics

Project management

Stakeholder management

Multicultural collaboration

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Independent

Decision making

Data visualization

Digital tools

Education

Academic degree in (Food) Process Technology or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aveve

Databricks

Power BI

Capex licensing

Job description

Cheese Technology Specialist (all genders) Cheese Technology Specialist (all genders) Wageningen (NL) Engineering & Technology 32-40 Beschrijving van de vacature Job alert link Solliciteer direct Solliciteer direct Cheese Technology Specialist (all genders)

Are you passionate about cheese & process technology and eager to play a key role in further optimizing our cheese production processes? The Global Supply Chain Technology team is looking for an experienced Cheese Technology Specialist who can elevate our cheese factories to the next level.

What we ask:

• An academic degree in (Food) Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the food, chemical, or process industry.
• A solid understanding of dairy production. Understanding of cheese technology is a pré.
• A natural affinity with data, digital tools (Aveve, databricks, PBI) and the ability to turn complex data into impact.
• Experience with structured problem-solving & process optimization(Six Sigma Green belt).
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills, with experience working in dynamic, end-to-end and multicultural project environments.
• Proven collaboration with internal and external partners in technological development.
• Key competencies: analytical, fact-based, independent, solution-oriented, well-organized, and critical.

What we offer:

At FrieslandCampina you work on strong, globally loved brands enjoyed by millions every day, like Friso, Campina, Chocomel and Frisian Flag. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we combine an international environment with a clear social and sustainable purpose. We support your growth through training, coaching and internal career opportunities. With trust and autonomy, you can make real impact.

Employment benefits:

• Salary between €4,550 and €6,000 gross per month (full-time), depending on experience and fit for the role.
• A work week of 32 to 38 hours, a 5% year-end allowance, 10% company bonus (company performance-based), 8% holiday allowance and a pension scheme.
• Hybrid working with flexible working hours, a train card and/or €0.23 per km (max. 30 km one way).
• 200 hours of annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 40 hours.
• A laptop, phone and home office equipment to support flexible working.
• Wellbeing and inclusion initiatives, such as health support, employee assistance programs and diversity initiatives.
• Extras at the head office, such as milk and cheese during lunch, fresh fruit and barista coffee.

Vacancy description:

In this role, you are responsible for developing, optimizing, and safeguarding technologies within our cheese production processes. You contribute to improved milk yield, efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced product quality. You work closely with various disciplines to translate optimisations into practice and solve complex technical challenges.

You will be able to deliver the following within your area of expertise:

• Identify opportunities to improve milk yield & efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality in our cheese factories.
• Execute process licensing within Capex projects.
• Translate and scale up (product & process) innovations into the production environment.
• Lead Root Cause Analyses of complex issues within the factories.
• Translate cheese knowledge into technology standards and validate these across our production sites.
• Work in a data-rich environment and turn complex data in clear, actionable recommendations.
• Work closely with R&D, Operations, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Marketing to ensure that technology initiatives are fully integrated into the overall business strategy.
• Ensure that all activities comply with relevant regulations and standards, including food safety, quality, and labelling requirements.
• Provide training and support to employees on your area of expertise, systems, and tools to ensure effective integration into the business.

For thousands of people every day, we are more than just a dairy company. To our farmers, our employees, the communities we serve, the businesses we work with and the people to whom we bring happiness, FrieslandCampina means something more. For them it's not just about what we do, but who we are. We value talented people from any background who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. We encourage all of our employees to make decisions that benefit our entire company. At FrieslandCampina we own our own career and act accordingly. We trust you to make a difference in your job and influence the bigger picture. Working at FrieslandCampina means you are contributing to a better world.

You will work within the Cheese Technology cluster of the Global Supply Chain Technology team. This cluster consists of 9 experts, and the full SC team includes 60 technologists.

Waarom jij bij ons wilt werken:

Een inspirerend doel

Betere voeding voor de wereld en een goed inkomen voor onze boeren, nu en voor toekomstige generaties.

Een coöperatieve cultuur

Gekenmerkt door wereldwijde samenwerking, respect en gedeeld succes.

Een tastbare impact

Ruimte voor jouw ambitie, met autonomie en een duidelijke focus.

Jouw groei is onze groei

We investeren in jouw persoonlijke en professionele ontwikkeling via trainingen en opleidingen.

Heb je vragen?

Neem gerust contact op met onze recruiter Anke van den Brink [e-mail]

@ Royal FrieslandCampina