Co-Products Specialist

Purpose of the Job

• To create and lead challenging Research and Development projects around the fields of science and technology of CoProducts. Initiatives are of high complexity (multi disciplinary technological, multicultural, multi-site) and / or risk, with global scope (multi-functional / co-ordination of activities / development / implementation with different Zones / countries, many times simultaneously), to meet or exceed current and future business demands, according to agreed timelines and budget.
• To continuously scout and identify new ideas / opportunities for AB InBev in the fields of CoP aligned with company strategic pillars, working close together with Procurement, Innovation and other supply areas. - To keep updated in fields of CoP, participating / leading the process of generation and prioritization of ideas/concepts and delivering solutions on prioritized gaps through project research and development. Strong interaction and partnership with external partners, universities, startups and external consulting companies.
• To understand consumer, other industries (Food, Beverage, Pharma, Agriculture) businesses, insights, trends and strategy in order to integrate this in the frame of brewing area, in alignment with Global R&D and GPO short and long term strategies.
• To participate and lead initiatives in the Supply agenda related to Value Engineering, Strategic, TIF and Innovation initiatives (Global/Zones). -
• Active participation in CoP materials / technology scouting via Tech Shop (ABI global scouting platform via extensive network global + zones + suppliers + inventors + universities + technical events …)

Accountabilities:

• Create and define / prioritize research and development projects with internal clients, universities, external partners through definition of project scope, structure, roles and responsibilities at global / zone level.
• Responsibility for research and development projects with high complexity and / or risk (always targeting on time and on budget successful development and implementation of projects / initiatives).
• Responsible to communicate relevant project information and project progress to team members, project stakeholders and other key individuals within the organization.
• Responsible to ensure alignment within technical community and act as a single point of contact for all internal Co-product initiatives, including the context of Technical or Commercial Innovation.
• Responsible for the application of company policies and global guidelines when working in projects with Zones.
• To know and follow global and zone mandates & guidelines and all AB InBev standard procedures.
• To negotiate with functional managers for resources and with project customers and other relevant stakeholders for the setting of schedules, budgets, assignments and project scope.
• To identify and address potential risks that may affect the achievement of the project objectives, including relevant Intellectual Property matters.
• To identify, capture and communicate potential research and innovation opportunities by closely monitoring other food & beverages industries. · To influence the project team members and relevant individuals within the organization in a positive manner that leads to the successful achievement of the project objectives.
• To keep building up technical expertise, on Co-product field (and all other subjects that relate to it ie fermentation, enzymology, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering etc), while disseminating the acquired knowledge within the organization, providing technological support and identifying technical solutions with potential to meet internal and external business demands
• To act as a business and technical link on all topics related to Co-products between T&PD and other customers / partners inside Supply-CSuO and Procurement organization, being able to exchange, prioritize, develop and implement new ideas with the objectives of innovation, product and quality improvement.
• To identify best practices (internal and external), share and propose ideas, test, implement and standardize them to maximize company benefit. To leverage an established network to feed present and future pipeline within the organization and throughout the supplier and related industry communities, including universities and research institutes.
• To pro-actively understand gaps and map solutions in the fields of liquid variable cost reduction.
• To contribute as a team member towards the future strategic development and direction of Innovation & Technology Development.

Qualifications and Technical competencies required:

• University technical degree or equivalent (Brewing Science, Food/Cereal Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Biology, Agronomy). M.S and/or Ph. D. strongly recommended.
• Additional business oriented qualifications and business savvy are a must
• Training in Six Sigma (Design For Six Sigma, Problem solving and Continuous improvement) is an asset
• Experience in brewing, beverage, food, and/or equivalent industry.
• Demonstrated successful experience in working in conjunction with others to conduct research and development projects of high complexity and or high risk profile (product, material and process feasibility / development / implementation)
• Experience with design thinking and processes in technical projects.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to impact and influence to move things forward, while balancing differing ideas / agendas.
• Strong team player and target-oriented with respect for quality and timing.
• Demonstrated clear ability to deal with Intellectual Property matters.
• Demonstrated high ability to anticipate, support, drive and manage change, being open to innovation by generating new solutions and developing creative approaches.
• Very good communicator, very good convincing skills, demonstrated ability to translate technical items into commercial concepts and vice-versa.
• Able to bridge cultural diversity.
• Committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Fluency in English. Additional languages are an asset.
• Clear and detailed understanding of the process flow involved in the ideation / feasibility / development / implementation of research and development projects including development of new technologies, new products, materials and processes.
• Profound demonstrated technical expertise in various science & technologies fields (enzymology, biotechology, fermentation, food chemistry). · Knowledge of brewing, beverage, food, pet industries, along with respective supply chain.
• Strong ability to lead and manage projects with high level of complexity (multi-functional / technical / geographical / business impact / No of stakeholders / Capex). Clear and detailed understanding of the key business parameters and their influence on the area activities · Demonstrated ability of multi-dimensional, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability of consumer understanding and capable of extracting technical solutions from commercial needs.
• Effective oral, organizational, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated strong ability to communicate and negotiate with (internal / external) stakeholders in different areas and levels.
• Deep knowledge of MS Office environment.
• Special ability with manipulation and analysis of data in Excel.
• Knowledge in statistical softwares / tools are an asset.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial concepts understanding.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience to apply advanced problem solving and continuous improvement tools (such as PDCA, 6 Sigma, DOE, regression analysis, etc ).