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SENIOR MATERIAL EXPERT FOOD INGREDIENTS –
FOODS GLOBAL INNOVATION TEAM
Salary range 44-60k -as per candidate experience-
LOCATION – Wageningen (Netherlands) – local conditions apply
Full-time
Travel 10%
ABOUT FOODS
Foods is one of the largest Business Groups (BG) in Unilever with global multibillion-euro power brands such as Knorr and Hellmann’s and many regional and local brands. Our purpose is to brighten lives every day with our goal to be best in class with marketing making, unmissably superior brands. This can be achieved through an ambitious innovation, technology and commercialization agenda which delivers differentiating and superior products and packaging solutions vs. competition, sustainable, and at a cost advantage.
ABOUT THE MET TEAM
Material Expert Teams (METs) in the Global Design Centre for Cooking Aids and Mini Meals lead global ingredient portfolios and support business growth across Condiments, Cooking Aids, Mini Meals, and Foodsolutions. Working in cross-functional teams with R&D, Procurement, and Quality, they manage material-related needs across projects and ongoing operations. METs collaborate with suppliers through the Partner to Win strategy and connect with internal teams to identify new technologies and partners. They play a key role in innovation projects, portfolio transformation, product claims, and Future Foods Commitments by integrating new ingredients aligned with consumer and culinary trends.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE
The Senior Material Expert reports to MET Food Ingredients Leader and is responsible for managing the assigned portfolio. The role provides strong technical input to drive portfolio related initiatives and ensures that ingredients with the required functionality and quality are sourced from preferred and strategic suppliers at competitive cost, delivering sustainable value to the Foods business.
The role acts as a key partner in implementing effective and forward looking ways of working with internal R&D and Supply chain teams and external ingredient suppliers. By collaborating closely with Procurement, Digital & Data, Quality, and SC etc, the Senior Material Expert leverages scale, efficiency, and technical excellence across the material portfolio.
The Senior Material Expert plays a pivotal role in defining, managing fit for future ingredient portfolios. With accountability for high quality global specifications and collaborating with strategic suppliers, the role ensures the delivery of safe, sustainable, and differentiated ingredients that enable innovation and renovation across the three verticals.
JOB SUMMARY
• Own the positive material list (PML) for the assigned portfolios, ensure full compliance with consumer safety, quality, regulatory and allergen requirements in collaboration with quality and regulatory team. Continuously optimize Future Fit portfolio and lead creating and approving high-quality ingredient specifications which are aligned with and signed off by suppliers globally, thus ensuring quality of the materials in the sourcing units
• Support shaping the innovation roadmap together with MET food ingredient leader, S&T and suppliers to deliver the latest technologies innovation to the R&D community thus has a key role in innovation project.
• Builds and maintains a strong network with suppliers, procurement, quality, and other functions across R&D and Supply Chain.
• Has a key role in collaboration with procurement on supplier strategy, capability assessments and technology scouting.
• Optimizes global collaboration with R&D teams around the globe to ensure smooth implementation of portfolio strategies, effective crisis management, supplier engagement, and relevant training, while continuously strengthening the teams by sharing skills and knowledge.
• Leads and coordinate specific MET projects across all METs Ingredients portfolio.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
• Master’s degree in relevant study (Food science and technology, Biotechnology, Food chemistry/Technology) or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, applications, quality, and regulatory frameworks, ability to translate material science into product and process solutions.
• Good tasting skills & understanding of sensory principles, good practical skills to facilitate material physical and sensory evaluation to give recommendations and share her/his expertise across Unilever.
• Strong learning mindset with high standards for “focus on what counts” and delivery with excellence
• Have the right aptitude and mindset required for working in a multi-functional, multi-cultural environment, advanced global communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English
• Proactive and independent, coordinating workload efficiently
• Experience in product development teams or material expert teams is highly preferred.
• Collaborative mindset and committed Team player
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Basic awareness of:
• Recipe Design Principles of Cooking aids & Mini meal and Condiments Technologies.
• Quality aspects of ingredients and applications alike.
• Relevant expertise in the ingredients within portfolio, including their types and functionality in food applications, complemented by strong knowledge of food technologies, processing, nutrition and health, safety and hygiene, regulations, and culinary techniques to support product teams in selecting the most suitable materials.
• Ideally hands-on working knowledge on existing and upcoming digital tools: PLM, ELN, Minerva & PowerBI
•Interest in food, culinary trends, and ingredient applications is advantageous.
EXCITED ABOUT THE ROLE?
To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.
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Disclaimer
Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.