Head of Research & Development, the Netherlands

pladis Global; Zaandam; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

pladis Nederland in Zaandam is seeking a Head of Research & Development to lead the Netherlands R&D team and deliver the regional agenda on time and in full. The role focuses on product development and commercialization with strong formulation, processing and technical leadership across the team.

The successful candidate will drive end-to-end development, mentor a high-performing team, and collaborate with the UK & Europe R&D LT to align with global strategy and brand objectives.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years FMCG R&D leadership experience with 10 years in FMCG food category; baked snacks preferred.
• Fluent English; Dutch or Turkish desirable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; familiarity with AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Netherlands R&D strategic pipeline including innovation, renovation and productivity projects.
• Drive end-to-end product development from ideation through launch.
• Provide technical oversight of third parties and external partners for Zaandam.
• Coach and develop the Netherlands R&D team and foster an inclusive, high-performance culture.
• Contribute as an active member of UK & Europe R&D LT.

Skills

R&D leadership

Product development

Team coaching

Communication skills

AI tools proficiency

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology/Chemistry/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI Tools

Job description

We are seeking to recruit for the role of Head of R&D for pladis’ Netherlands region, based at their local office and manufacturing site in Zaandam, Netherlands. The role will be accountable for the Netherlands R&D team in delivering the R&D agenda for this region on time and in full as pladis seeks to accelerate recent growth performance.

The position entails

The role is primarily product development and commercialization focused, and therefore by association requires very strong formulation and processing competency in food manufacturing. As the role involves stewardship of a product development team, candidates should have strong interpersonal and management skills in order to coach and develop.

Key responsabilities

• Take a lead role in developing and executing the Netherlands R&D strategic pipeline on time in full, consisting of innovation, renovation and technical productivity project pipelines for Netherlands.
• Drive end-to-end product development from ideation through launch.
• Technology mapping for Zaandam site identifying opportunities and potential white space, aligned with consumer demands.
• Custodian for Verkade and Sultana brands and brand identity guardrails.
• Technical oversight of 3rd parties offering incremental technology capabilities to Zaandam in order to meet consumer needs.
• Member of the Zaandam NL LT.

Technical Leadership

• Provide leadership and clear direction across formulation, ingredients, processing technology, and product performance.
• Champion scientific rigour, and continuous improvement.
• Lean Six Sigma fundamental understanding mandatory, high level qualifications desireable.
• Lead, coach and develop the Netherlands R&D team.
• Build a high-performance and inclusive culture.
• Contribute as active member of UK & Europe R&D LT.

What you will bring

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Engineering or a related scientific discipline.
• Significant (typically 5+ years) FMCG R&D leadership experience, 10 years in FMCG food category, ideally baked snacks.
• Strong product development and commercialization track record.
• Languages: English fluent mandatory, Dutch / Turkish Desirable
• High competency in Microsoft office systems
• High competency in AI Assistants, Agents, & Competency tools.

Core Competency Alignment: Product Development

Consumer-led product design, baking and chocolate formulation, innovation pipeline delivery, process development, commercialization, technical leadership and continuous improvement.

Success Measures

• Delivery of innovation objectives
• Product quality and consumer satisfaction
• Development of technical capability

Who are we?

Koninklijke Verkade, founded in 1886, with amazing brands like Verkade en Sultana, is part of pladis since 2016. pladis is one of the world's leading snacking companies. We are the proud steward of over 300 years of family baking and confectionery experience. A worldwide community with 16.000 colleagues around the world. Each of us bring our experience in happiness. Each of us is unique, but we find each other as a family of bakers and chocolatiers, hardworking, with pride and purpose. After all these years we believe that biscuits and chocolate bring people together. We are pladis. We bake Happiness. Happiness with every bite.

pladis succeeds because of people like you. People who wake up in the morning excited to get to work. Who believe in themselves and their potential. Who want to grow as part of a global community of like-minded colleagues.

pladis colleagues care deeply about being the best. About winning, staying the course and never giving up. Whichever part of the world we’re in, whatever our role. Whether we’re baking, working in HR, finance, marketing or many other areas – we win as one pladis team.

And while we’re all unique, we share something in common. It’s the code by which we live and work. We call it our ‘Winning Traits & Behaviours’: Purpose Led, Agile, Collaborative, Positive and Resilient. Five aspects of pladis life that define who we are, how we interact and get things done.

If pladis sounds like the place where you can thrive and help write the next chapter in our growth story, then check out opportunities around the world and follow us for the latest information from our teams.

More information can be found at www.pladisglobal.com

Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. pladis brings together brands and people from around the globe – and this diversity is our great strength. We’re an equal opportunities employer and believe in encouraging an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone’s distinctive qualities and perspectives.

We aim for an inclusive work environment and invite everyone to apply, regardless of background, age, gender, or preference. Our selection is based on competencies and potential.