Product Development & Support Manager

Job content

Ready to shape a tasty future together?

“Shaping a tasty future”, with passion for taste & indulgence: that makes working at Vandemoortele attractive. You will get all the chances to grow within a people oriented and value driven environment, where cooperation, respect and ambition are key. We believe that actively prioritizing a high level of diversity in our workforce creates a competitive advantage.

Product Development & Support Manager

In Bakery Products, Vandemoortele offers a wide range of frozen bread products, pastry, sweet treats, patisserie and savoury products for professional users in the bakery and foodservice channels as well as for retailers, who appreciate the quality and convenience of Vandemoortele’s products.

Our range contains all-time classics like the typical baguette or French croissant up to more indulgent and unusual products such as fully enrobed donuts.

We are looking for a passionate food developer for our Bakery Products category, to strengthen our European R&D team in Izegem.

Your key responsibilities & challenges?

-Project leader of NPD Bakery Products projects:

As Project Leader you are the driver to develop customer demands or ideas into a bakery product, which includes:

• You discuss ideas or internal/external customer demands on a technical basis (with commercials, customers, marketing …) and translate these ideas or commercial product demands into technical product definitions.
• You plan and follow up trials in a test bakery (in cooperation with a baker) and on industrial scale (in cooperation with production).
• You get approval of the customer/commercials/marketing concerning the developed product (product characteristics, cost price, ingredient declaration, …).
• You transfer and follow-up all necessary information to quality, purchase, packaging, operations, … in order to create the new product.
• Finally you follow-up the first productions to ensure the new product is produced according to the specifications agreed upon during the development.

-Product expert of a product category :

• You give technical support to the commercial teams and you organize or assist in customer visits to Vandemoortele or technical visits to the customer.
• You know and have a good understanding of the plant capabilities and processing conditions.
• You are able to keep a helicopter view of the ongoing projects in the defined product group.
• You build up specific technical knowledge through contacts with suppliers & customers, internal networking and literature, patents, seminars, institutes etc.

-Major R&D Projects:

• Next to the challenging responsibilities above, you can sometimes participate by supporting the experts in important R&D projects, including projects outside of the direct scope of the function.

-R&D Systems:

• Finally you use and challenge when needed the R&D systems (recipe management, cost calculation, new ingredients…) and procedures.

What’s in it for you?

• A great work-experience: We offer you challenging work with a great purpose in an international company having a dynamic, driven and ambitious culture and a collegial atmosphere.
• A people oriented organisation: We truly value our associates and invest in a good work environment. You will have flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home 50% of the time. We also invite you to join our sports and wellbeing activities!
• Easy to reach: Our R&D centre is located close to a train station and is easily accessible. Want to come by bike? Lease a bike at Vandemoortele!

Are you the one we’re looking for?

• You hold a Master degree in Engineering (Bio-engineering, industrial engineering, etc.).
• You have at least 2 years of experience in product development within the food industry.
• Above all you are ambitious, energetic, driven and open to receive and give challenges. Your drive and enthusiasm will motivate you to go the extra mile in engaging others.
• As a food Lover, you are passionate by food.
• Your excellent communication and persuasion skills enable you to motivate, drive and engage your internal (R&D, production, purchase, logistics, master data,…) and external stakeholders.
• You are proactive and you are a driver for change. At the same time, you are pragmatic, problem-solving and looking for initiative.
• You can cope well in stressful situations: you can keep track of and combine many different projects at once
• You are able to work together on major projects and you like to take ownership.
• You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal, in English and French/Dutch.
• You are willing to travel 15% of your time (short trips).
• For this exciting role you will be working at our R&D Centre based in Izegem.

More about Vandemoortele

Vandemoortele is a leading European food group that produces and sells high-quality food products. We focus on innovation and prioritize sustainability by committing to three goals: balanced nutrition, protecting nature and enhancing lives.

Vandemoortele has two divisions: one for frozen bakery products and one for margarines, culinary oils and fats. We continued to grow and develop: The Vandemoortele Group is now present in 12 European countries with ca 4600 employees, achieving revenues of ca 1.74 billion euros in 2022. The Vandemoortele HQ are located in our Food Experience Center in Ghent, where our passion for good taste and enjoying food comes to life. Let us show you around! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JXF_PfTMg&list=PL3hHBdidOIX6fA49uCaLPcI6ri_kdmrFV&index=14