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Graduate Program - Product Development Associate F/H - Job Opportunity at Nestlé Purina

Aubigny-sur-Nère, France
Temporary
Entry-level
Posted: May 29, 2025
On-site
EUR 35,000-42,000 annually. This estimate reflects typical graduate program compensation in France's food industry, considering Nestlé's market position as a premium employer, the 18-month temporary contract structure, and the specialized nature of pet nutrition R&D roles. The range accounts for the advanced degree requirements and the comprehensive training program value.

Benefits

18-month structured graduate program providing comprehensive professional development in a global food industry leader
Dedicated mentorship program with personalized training plans designed to accelerate career growth
Access to Nestlé's extensive global expert networks and cross-functional collaboration opportunities
Exposure to cutting-edge R&D facilities and advanced food processing technologies
International work environment with strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion initiatives
Professional development within the established Nestlé Leadership Framework
Opportunity to work on innovative pet nutrition products with direct market impact

Key Responsibilities

Drive scientific innovation by designing and executing feeding studies, protocols, and research models that directly support product development and nutritional claims validation, contributing to Nestlé Purina's market-leading position in pet nutrition
Lead cross-functional project management initiatives, coordinating with R&D, Marketing, Legal, Quality, and Procurement teams while leveraging global expertise networks to deliver strategic business outcomes
Establish clear technical communication standards by delivering comprehensive oral and written reports, documenting lessons learned, and maintaining critical project documentation in enterprise systems
Spearhead innovation initiatives through active participation in ideation sessions, consumer research analysis, and continuous monitoring of nutrition science advances to maintain competitive advantage
Ensure regulatory compliance and quality standards by implementing Nestlé's intellectual property policies, food safety protocols, and environmental standards throughout the product development lifecycle
Provide strategic technical support to Product Technology Center functions, contributing to long-term scientific and technical development strategies
Demonstrate operational flexibility and global mindset through travel readiness and adaptability across various development phases and international projects

Requirements

Education

MSc or PhD in Food Science, Meat Science, Biochemistry, Nutrition (ideally animal nutrition), or related fields; advanced degree preferred

Experience

No prior professional experience required, but excellent academic and technical foundation is essential

Required Skills

Strong understanding of raw materials, food formulation, and/or advanced food processing technologies Proficient in English (minimum TOEIC 600 or equivalent), with strong oral and written communication skills in an international context Familiarity with R&D and operations project management; ability to manage multiple tasks effectively Experience conducting literature reviews and working both independently and collaboratively Willingness to develop expertise and grow within the Nestlé Leadership Framework
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pet food industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by humanization trends, with pet owners increasingly seeking premium, scientifically-formulated nutrition products that mirror human food quality standards. This shift is creating demand for highly educated food scientists who can bridge the gap between human nutrition research and pet food applications. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are becoming critical differentiators in the pet food market, with companies investing heavily in sustainable protein sources, eco-friendly packaging, and circular economy principles. Product development roles now require understanding of environmental impact assessment and sustainable formulation practices. Digital transformation and data analytics are revolutionizing product development processes, with companies implementing AI-driven formulation optimization, predictive modeling for consumer preferences, and advanced sensory analysis techniques. Graduate programs increasingly emphasize digital literacy alongside traditional food science expertise. Regulatory landscapes are evolving rapidly across global markets, particularly regarding health claims, novel ingredients, and transparency requirements. Companies need product development professionals who can navigate complex international regulatory frameworks while maintaining innovation pace.

Role Significance

Typically works within cross-functional teams of 8-12 professionals, including R&D scientists, marketing specialists, quality assurance experts, and procurement professionals, while maintaining direct reporting relationship with assigned mentor and project leads.
Entry-level professional role with accelerated development trajectory. While positioned as graduate-level, the role carries significant technical responsibilities and decision-making authority under mentorship, indicating a fast-track pathway to mid-level positions within the organization.

Key Projects

New product formulation and launch initiatives targeting specific pet demographic segments or nutritional needs Product renovation projects aimed at improving existing formulations based on latest nutritional research and consumer feedback Nutritional claims validation studies requiring comprehensive feeding trials and regulatory documentation Sustainability-focused reformulation projects incorporating alternative protein sources or environmentally friendly ingredients Cross-regional product adaptation projects ensuring global brand consistency while meeting local market preferences and regulatory requirements

Success Factors

Demonstrates strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities when addressing complex formulation challenges, particularly in balancing nutritional requirements with palatability, cost constraints, and manufacturing feasibility considerations. Exhibits exceptional communication skills to effectively collaborate across diverse international teams, present technical findings to non-technical stakeholders, and contribute meaningfully to strategic discussions involving multiple business functions. Shows adaptability and learning agility to quickly absorb Nestlé's extensive technical knowledge base, regulatory requirements across different markets, and evolving consumer trends in the pet nutrition space. Maintains attention to detail and systematic approach to documentation, ensuring compliance with stringent food safety standards and intellectual property protection protocols while supporting future product development initiatives.

Market Demand

High demand driven by industry growth, aging workforce in food science, and increasing complexity of product development requirements in the expanding pet nutrition market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced food formulation expertise is essential as it forms the foundation for creating nutritionally complete, palatable, and commercially viable pet food products. This skill directly impacts product success and requires deep understanding of ingredient interactions, processing effects, and nutritional bioavailability. Cross-functional project management capabilities are crucial for navigating complex product development processes involving multiple stakeholders, tight timelines, and regulatory requirements. Success depends on ability to coordinate diverse teams and maintain project momentum despite competing priorities. Scientific communication skills are vital for translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights for various audiences, from regulatory agencies to marketing teams. This skill directly influences project approval rates and commercial success of innovations.

Beneficial Skills

Digital analytics and data science capabilities are increasingly valuable as the industry adopts advanced modeling techniques for formulation optimization and consumer insight generation Sustainability expertise provides competitive advantage as environmental considerations become central to product development strategies and consumer purchasing decisions Regulatory affairs knowledge across international markets enhances career mobility and enables leadership of global product development initiatives

Unique Aspects

Combines human nutrition science principles with pet-specific physiological requirements, creating a unique technical specialization that bridges multiple scientific disciplines
Offers exposure to complete product lifecycle from initial concept through commercial launch, providing comprehensive business acumen alongside technical expertise
Provides access to Nestlé's global research network and cutting-edge facilities, enabling collaboration with world-class scientists and exposure to latest food technology innovations
Emphasizes both scientific rigor and commercial viability, developing professionals who understand market dynamics alongside technical requirements

Career Growth

Progression to senior individual contributor roles typically occurs within 2-3 years post-program completion, with management track opportunities emerging within 4-5 years for high-performing individuals who demonstrate leadership capabilities.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Product Development Scientist with expanded project leadership responsibilities and specialized expertise in specific nutritional areas Product Development Manager overseeing multiple development streams and managing junior scientists Technical Marketing Manager bridging R&D and commercial functions with focus on translating scientific innovations into market-ready propositions Regional R&D Lead coordinating product development activities across multiple markets and ensuring global-local strategy alignment

Company Overview

Nestlé Purina

Nestlé Purina represents the pet care division of Nestlé S.A., the world's largest food and beverage company. With over 125 years of experience in pet nutrition, Purina maintains market leadership through continuous innovation, scientific research, and strong brand portfolio including premium and mass-market segments.

Global market leader in pet nutrition with commanding presence across multiple product categories and price segments. The company's research and development capabilities, manufacturing scale, and distribution networks create significant competitive advantages in the rapidly growing pet food industry.
Strong European presence with France serving as a key manufacturing and innovation hub. The Aubigny location represents part of Purina's strategic manufacturing network, supporting both local and export markets while contributing to global product development initiatives.
Nestlé emphasizes science-based decision making, cross-cultural collaboration, and sustainable business practices. The company culture promotes long-term career development, diversity and inclusion, and employee empowerment within a structured corporate framework that values both innovation and operational excellence.
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