R&D Program Team Lead

JDE Peet's; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

JDE Peet’s in the Netherlands is seeking an experienced R&D program manager/lead within Technology Solutions Global R&D to drive strategic technology programs and high-impact roadmaps. You will lead a team of technology and development specialists, partner with R&D and supply peers, manage risks, and ensure delivery excellence across multiple projects that create value for the business.

With a strong background in chemical engineering or food science and 10+ years in product/process development,

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

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team-building

Innovative mindset

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related field

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.