Jr Product Developer

Beyond Meat; Ede; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Beyond Meat’s R&D team in the Netherlands is seeking a Junior Product Developer to help move new and improved products from the laboratory to commercial production across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. You’ll work closely with Senior Scientists and cross-functional partners on formulations, prototypes and factory trials.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Food Technology/Science with 0–3 years of relevant experience. Strong English communication is required; Dutch is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, or related discipline.
• 0–3 years of relevant experience in food product development or related internships.
• Strong written and verbal English; Dutch helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Support product development, improvement, and commercialization across the EMEA portfolio.
• Prepare bench-top formulations and prototype products per project objectives.
• Conduct ingredient functionality evaluations and assist with formulation optimization.
• Execute experiments, collect data, and summarize results for project teams.
• Maintain formulation records and technical documentation.

Skills

Hands-on

Problem solving

Food development

Curious learner

Organized

Team player

Adaptable

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology or Food Science

Job description

Beyond Meat, Inc., otherwise known as Beyond The Plant Protein Company™ is a plant protein company offering a portfolio of plant-based products made from simple ingredients without GMOs, no added hormones or antibiotics, and 0mg of cholesterol per serving. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat’s core products are designed to have the same taste and texture as animal-based meat while being better for people and the planet.

The Company’s brand promise, Eat What You Love® represents a strong belief that there is a better way to feed our future and that the positive choices we all make, no matter how small, can have a great impact on our personal health and the health of our planet. By shifting from animal-based protein to plant-based protein, we can positively impact four growing global issues: human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources and animal welfare.

Job Description

At Beyond Meat, we are committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. The EMEA R&D team is a small but highly impactful group responsible for developing,optimizing, and commercializing products for customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The Junior Product Developer is an early-career, hands-on technical role that supports the execution of product development and commercialization projects. Working closely with Senior Scientists and cross-functional partners, this role contributes to bringing new and improved products from the laboratory to commercial production.

Success in this role comes from enjoying practical laboratory work, food preparation, experimentation, and working directly with manufacturing teams. The Junior Product Developer will spend much of their time preparing formulations, producing prototypes, supporting factory trials, organizing sensory evaluations,maintaininglaboratory operations, and ensuringaccuratetechnical documentation.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to build strong product development and commercialization experience while learning from experienced food scientists and contributing to products enjoyed by consumers throughout the EMEAregion. TheJunior Product Developer reports to the Senior Scientist, R&D EMEA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Development

• Support product development, product improvement, and commercialization projects across the EMEA portfolio.
• Prepare bench-top formulations and prototype products according to projectobjectives.
• Conduct ingredient functionality evaluations andassistwith formulation optimization.
• Execute experiments, accurately collect data, and summarize results for project teams.
• Maintain formulation records, laboratory notebooks, and technical documentation.
• Assistin preparing customer, consumer, and internal evaluation samples.

Commercialization & Manufacturing Support

• Support pilot plant and production trials, including preparation, execution, and follow-up activities.
• Collect manufacturing data during trials andassistin documenting process parameters and observations.
• Prepare technical trial summaries and communicate findings to project teams.
• Support implementation of formulation,ingredient, or process changes alongside Operations and Quality teams.
• Assistwith troubleshooting product and process issues during commercialization.

Sensory & Analytical Support

• Prepare and organize sensory evaluations.
• Collect analytical and sensory data to support product development decisions.
• Maintain databases, spreadsheets, and project documentation.
• Assistwith shelf-life studies and product evaluations asrequired.

Laboratory Operations

• Maintain ingredient inventory and organize laboratory supplies.
• Source ingredients and prepare materials for development work.
• Operate,maintain, and help calibrate laboratory equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized laboratory and pilot areas while following GMP and food safety requirements.
• Support laboratory housekeeping, equipment cleaning, and safe working practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Commercialization, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Regulatory, and external manufacturing partners.
• Provide technical support for internal teams during development and commercialization activities.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Performadditionalresponsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’sdegree (HBO or University) in Food Technology, Food Science, ora relateddiscipline.
• 0–3 years of relevant experience in food product development, food manufacturing, or through internships and placement programs.
• Practical understanding of food ingredients, formulation principles, and food processing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Dutch language skills are beneficial but notrequired.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail andaccuratedocumentation.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory, pilot plant, or food manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting factory trials or product commercialization activities.
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality and food processing technologies.
• Experience working with plant-based foods is an advantage.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Within the first 12–18 months, the Junior Product Developer will:

• Independently prepare laboratory formulations and prototypes for multiple projects.
• Become a trusted contributor during pilot and production trials.
• Maintainaccuratetechnical documentation and formulation records.
• Support efficient laboratory operations through proactive organization and preparation.
• Build strong working relationships with cross-functional teams.
• Develop the technical foundation to progressively take ownership of increasingly complex development activities.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Hands-on and practical approach to problem solving.
• Passion for food and product development.
• Curiousand eager to learn.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and reliable.
• Strong teamplayer with a positive attitude.
• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic development environment.
• Comfortable balancing laboratory work with production floor activities.
• Strong senseof ownership and accountability.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Primary work location is the Beyond Meat R&D Center in Ede, The Netherlands.
• Position requires regular work in laboratory, pilot plant, manufacturing, and office environments.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, lift materials up to 25lbs(11 kg), bend, kneel, and work with food preparation equipment.
• Comfortable working in varying temperatures, including chilled production environments.
• Ability to maintain GMP, hygiene, and food safety standardsat all times.
• Occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, and external partners may berequired.

Annual salary commensurate with experience

The starting annual base pay for this role is between EUR 40,000 and EUR 45,000. The actual base is dependent upon many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. The role may also be eligible for bonus, long-term incentives, as well as benefits.

Beyond The Plant Protein Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, gender identify, sexual orientation, national origin, liability for military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. Beyond Meat reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.

For all U.S. based roles: Applicants must be authorized to work for a U.S. employer. E-Verify is used to validate employment eligibility. This role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship at this time.