R&D Program Team Lead

Jdeprofessional; Utrecht; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 annual leave days

12 ADV days

Well-being programs

€1,500 learning budget

Pension plan

Work-from-home allowance

Commuting allowance

Job summary

JDE Peet’s in the Netherlands seeks an experienced R&D program manager/lead to steer technology delivery across our Global R&D teams. You will lead a cross-functional group of technology and development specialists, shaping roadmaps and ensuring value delivery for the business.

The role demands strong leadership, strategic thinking and collaboration across R&D and operations, with a focus on driving process and product innovation and overall program execution.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in delivering technology programs that meet business targets.
• Strong communication and collaboration with R&D and operations teams.
• Innovative mindset with drive to push boundaries and balance technical excellence with commercial viability.

Responsibilities

• Strategically manage delivery of technology programs to meet business targets and close risks.
• Drive process and product innovation to create breakthroughs in roadmaps and solve project challenges.
• Build and foster partnerships with R&D and supply peers; act as knowledge owner in senior reviews.
• Lead a talented team of technology and development specialists and nurture their growth.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Non-hierarchical leadership

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Chemical Engineering or Food Science

Job description

Incredible innovations are enabled through Technology, we are seeking a passionate innovator to join our Technology Solutions Global R&D team as R&D program manager or program lead.

Join an incredible passionate diverse team that helps each other learn, grow and develop. Just how we like it! As a Program manager/lead you will be asked to lead a team of technology and development specialist ensuring high level of engagement with the right people development, ensure excellent execution of T4G projects and manage program roadmaps to deliver value to the business.

For this, we don’t just need you to be a knowledgeable professional but also strongly rely on the interpersonal skillset you have developed over the years. You will play a crucial role in creating and protecting the sustainable delivery we look for in our value chain. You will be responsible for the following:

• Strategic Leadership: Manage delivery of technology programs to ensure business targets are met, flagging risks and pro-actively working with platform managers to close them.
• Process and Product Innovation: Leverage your deep understanding of process technology and/or dairy/powder/ingredient science to drive solutions for project and/or operational challenges as well as create breakthroughs in roadmaps..
• Collaboration: Build and foster strong partnerships with R&D and supply peers. Act as R&D knowledge owner in senior management reviews
• Team leadership: Lead a talented team of technology and development specialists. Nurture their growth, inspire creativity and drive results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's in Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related field
• 10+ years leading product/process development in the food industry (R&D and/or Operations)
• Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills (including non-hierarchical)
• Innovative mindset :drive to push boundaries
• Business acumen : balancing technical excellence with commercial viability

Additional Information

Your application at JDE Peet's If you are interested in this career opportunity at JDE Peet's, apply and join us. After receiving your application we will do our utmost to give you quick feedback. Part of the recruitment procedure at JDE Peet's would be an online assessment, followed by interviews. A pre-employment check can be part of the recruitment process.

Our DE&I Statement

At JDE Peet’s we aim to create a better future where we authentically serve, reflect and embrace everyone. We believe in fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation where everyone feels comfortable to truly be who they are and unleash their full potential. This means we do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of our race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, age, disability, or any other trait protected by law.

Throughout the entire employee lifecycle, we place DE&I at the core of our people processes. This enables us to drive objectivity and eliminate any potential bias, ensuring an inclusive experience in the workplace. Do not hesitate to reach out if you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Our efforts on this agenda have earned us the prestigious Catalyst Award, as well as the Fair Pay Leader Certification in 2025 thanks to an unexplained gender pay gap of 0.52%.

#unleashyourpossibility #acupofamazing

JDE Peet’s - now part of Keurig Dr Pepper – is the world’s leading pure-play coffee company, with a presence in more than 100 markets. Guided by our ‘Reignite the Amazing’ strategy, we are focused on brand-led growth across three big bets: Peet’s, L’OR, and our 10 strategically selected local icons led by Jacobs.

JDE Peet’s - now part of Keurig Dr Pepper – is the world’s leading pure-play coffee company, with a presence in more than 100 markets. Guided by our ‘Reignite the Amazing’ strategy, we are focused on brand-led growth across three big bets: Peet’s, L’OR, and our 10 strategically selected local icons led by Jacobs. In 2025, JDE Peet’s generated total sales of EUR 9.9 billion and employed a global workforce of more than 21,000 employees. Discover more about our journey to deliver a coffee for every cup and a brand for every heart atwww.jdepeets.com .

Company Description

Who we are?

We are JDE Peet’s. We craft coffee for every cup and build brands for every heart.

Life at JDE Peet's? It's not just a job, it's a whole vibe upgrade.

We know what actually matters to you - job security, real growth, and not burning out by 30. So here's the menu of what you actually get:

Work-life balance, but make it real: 25 annual leave days + 12 ADV days (yes, that's basically an extra month off). Plus a tax-efficient bike plan — skip the traffic, get fit, save money. Win-win-win.

Well-being that goes beyond a wellness app: 1-on-1 lifestyle coaching on nutrition, sleep, stress and recovery. Real sleep workshops if you're running on empty. Confidential, judgment-free support for smoking, alcohol, or anything life throws at you — anonymous if you want it. Plus a fitness contribution and health insurance discount, because your body clocks in too.

We've got your back, literally: Ergonomic assessments and workplace evaluations so your job doesn't wreck your body. Because "sustainable career" should mean your spine too.

Growth that's actually funded: €1,500 net learning budget every calendar year — yours to spend on you. No red tape, no "maybe next year."

Security you can actually count on: Fixed monthly salary + 8% holiday allowance + 8.33% year-end bonus, plus a pension plan where we've got skin in the game too.

Flexibility that respects your life: Work-from-home allowance and commuting allowance, because your 9-to-5 shouldn't own your whole day.