Food Process Technology Manager

John Bean Technologies Co.; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

JBT Marel is seeking a Food Process Technology Manager to lead innovation within Further Processing. Based in Boxmeer, this hybrid role combines leadership of a multi-disciplinary team with shaping the PDP-driven development of new products.

You will collaborate with Research, Innovation, Product, Sales and Supply Chain to translate technology into market-ready equipment, manage budgets, and drive data-driven improvements. A master’s in a relevant field and 5+ years in food tech are preferred.

Qualifications

• Master degree in a relevant field (food science, agritechnology or related).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in development for a comparable food industry.
• Experience managing and supervising a team.
• Ability to translate technology to machine concepts.
• Knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements is a plus.
• Strong English skills, both written and verbal; additional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Implement strategy and roadmap for the portfolio of further processing.
• Identify opportunities from customers and markets to build strong business cases.
• Lead development and safeguard core technology for the portfolio.
• Support IP rights and patent activities relevant to the portfolio.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary development teams and ensure integration into new equipment.
• Collaborate with Research, Innovation, Sales and Supply Chain to drive projects.

Skills

Demonstrated leadership

Development track record

Food/process technology mindset

Data analysis capabilities

Communication & negotiation

Education

Master degree in Food Science/Agri-Technical/Technological or related field

Job description

We're Hiring: Food Process Technology Manager. Location: JBT Marel Boxmeer. Employment Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (2-3 days a week at the office). Department: Prepared Foods – Further Processing, Innovation.

Lead the Future of Work at JBT Marel. Are you ready to make an impact in a global food processing organization? Then you might be our new Food Process Technology Manager! JBT Marel (John Bean Technologies Corporation + Marel), unites two pioneering companies with complementary strengths, enabling us to offer exceptional value to our customers. Together, we are a leading global provider of equipment, integrated technology, and services to the food and beverage industry. Driven by a singular purpose - to Transform the Future of Food - we empower businesses to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market and help our customers produce food more efficiently, sustainably, and safely. Our team comprises more than 12.000 employees worldwide across 6 continents, with more than 25.000 customers across more than 140 countries.

About the Role

Within Further Processing, part of Prepared Foods EMEA we are looking for a highly motivated Technology Manager who will be part of an ambitious and effective team. The Technology Manager is responsible for driving innovation strategic initiatives within Further Processing. To plan, direct, organize, and lead the group to implement projects from conceptual stages through to product launch according to the PDP process. Secure technological boundary conditions and ensure sound, efficient and effective development maintaining overall quality. Additionally, assist in the identification of potential development growth opportunities for new products. This role requires very close cooperation with the Research group, Innovation Manager, Product line Director as well as Sales, Service and Supply Chain stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

• Implement strategy and participate in creating roadmap regarding the portfolio of further processing
• Identify opportunities from customers, markets and a technology perspective resulting in high quality business cases and value propositions
• Lead development and safeguard of core technology of this portfolio.
• Participate in the Patent work group to support in maintaining IP rights for the relevant portfolio
• Responsible for the execution of the development aspects of the innovation project plans effectively and efficiently for all products in this portfolio
• Day to day coordination of multi-disciplinary development team and therefore continuously secure technological integrity and integration into new developed equipment
• Strong affinity with data driven solution development, analyzing and combining machine and machine vision data with food technology knowledge into valuable insights and new functionality for the product line and process performance
• Employee management responsibilities: this includes e.g. selection of employees, managing and monitoring team performance on a regular basis, coaching and developing employees, setting clear objectives and conducting performance and salary reviews
• Responsible for remaining within budget-projection for this team as part of the overarching Innovation budget
• Maintain an intensive collaboration with other Innovation teams, Sales, Service and Supply Chain
• Communicate and promote the vision of Innovation
• Build a strong relationship with key development customers

What You Bring

We encourage each of our 12,500+ employees to bring their unique self to work and aim to make everyone feel recognized, valued and free to explore their potential. We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture and welcome new colleagues from all walks of life. You will recognize in yourself that you:

• Master degree in Food Science, Agri-Technical / Technological or related field by education or experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience of working in development for a comparable industry, preferably in the fish, meat or poultry sector
• Good knowledge of the business processes of companies in the food industry
• Experience in managing and supervising a team of employees
• Experience in translating technology to machine concepts
• Preferably experienced with food safety and government regulatory requirements
• Strong English skills, both written and verbal
• Additional languages are a plus

Skills and abilities

• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Demonstrated performance in Development
• Demonstrated Food or process technology mind set and attitude
• Demonstrated data analyses capabilities connected to new product/process development
• Strong communication, negotiating and conflict resolution skills

Why Join Us?

There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you do something worthwhile for a living. That said, coming home from work knowing you made a difference is just one of the great things you can experience at JBT Marel. You can expect:

• Freedom to take initiative and make a real impact in a growing global business
• An environment of trust and respect with space to explore and fail
• A network of specialists who are always willing to help
• A healthy work-life balance and flexible working arrangements
• Excellent primary and secondary benefits
• Endless possibilities to keep learning: access to Linkedin Learning and Busuu language learning
• To get a career instead of a job. We have many opportunities for internal growth; and we encourage it!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in the workplace. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Join us — and be the driving force behind smarter, leaner food production.

We value collaboration, integrity, innovation, and continuous growth — and we believe the best ideas come from diverse perspectives working together. If you’re looking for meaningful work and the chance to make a real impact, explore opportunities at JBT Marel and get ready to transform the future of food.