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(Junior) Product Development Specialist - Job Opportunity at FrieslandCampina

Wageningen, Netherlands
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: June 27, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 45,000 - 55,000 annually based on junior-level positioning in Netherlands food technology sector, with FrieslandCampina's market leadership position likely supporting upper range compensation

Benefits

Comprehensive primary and secondary compensation package designed to provide financial security and competitive market positioning
Flexible hybrid working arrangement offering optimal work-life balance through strategic home and office work distribution
Accelerated career development opportunities within a structured growth framework that prioritizes individual advancement
Global exposure and international collaboration opportunities across Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium production facilities
Mission-driven work environment contributing to global nutrition improvement and sustainable food systems

Key Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional innovation initiatives developing next-generation dairy products that drive market differentiation and consumer engagement across European markets
Execute comprehensive product testing strategies from laboratory to factory scale, delivering data-driven insights that inform strategic product decisions
Drive stakeholder alignment through compelling presentation of research findings and product development outcomes to senior leadership and cross-functional teams
Orchestrate product renovation projects that optimize quality metrics, cost efficiency, and operational excellence while maintaining brand integrity
Build strategic partnerships across marketing, supply chain, QA, procurement, and R&D teams to ensure seamless product launch execution and market success

Requirements

Education

Bachelor or Master degree, preferably in the area of food technology, food processing, dairy technology, physical-chemistry or alike

Experience

Relevant product development and/or analytical experience in a food company (1-2 years), ideally in dairy

Required Skills

analytical digital proficient hands on quality and result driven proactive punctual entrepreneurial ability to engage others & challenge where necessary decisive well organized team player Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) on all levels in English
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The dairy industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation driven by consumer demand for functional foods, with protein-enhanced and probiotic dairy products representing the fastest-growing segments. This shift toward health-conscious consumption patterns is reshaping product development priorities across major dairy manufacturers, creating substantial opportunities for innovation specialists who can bridge nutritional science with consumer appeal. Sustainability pressures are fundamentally altering dairy product development methodologies, with companies investing heavily in plant-based alternatives, reduced packaging solutions, and carbon-neutral production processes. This environmental focus is creating new technical challenges that require specialized expertise in sustainable formulation and lifecycle assessment capabilities. Digital transformation in food technology is revolutionizing product development cycles, with AI-driven flavor profiling, predictive shelf-life modeling, and automated quality testing becoming standard industry practices. Companies that leverage these technologies effectively are achieving 30-40% faster time-to-market compared to traditional development approaches.

Role Significance

Direct collaboration within 10-person specialized team, with broader integration across 40+ diverse international colleagues in expanded development organization
Entry-to-mid level specialist role with significant autonomous decision-making authority and direct impact on product portfolio strategy, positioning incumbent as key contributor to innovation pipeline

Key Projects

Multi-market product launches requiring regulatory compliance across European jurisdictions and complex supply chain coordination Brand revitalization initiatives for established products requiring consumer research integration and competitive positioning analysis Private label development partnerships demanding cost optimization while maintaining quality standards and brand differentiation

Success Factors

Technical expertise in dairy science combined with commercial acumen to balance innovation with market viability and profitability constraints Cross-cultural communication proficiency enabling effective collaboration across international teams and diverse stakeholder groups with varying technical backgrounds Project management excellence with ability to coordinate complex timelines across multiple production facilities and regulatory environments Data-driven decision making capabilities leveraging analytical tools to optimize product formulations and predict market performance

Market Demand

High demand driven by dairy industry consolidation, sustainability initiatives, and accelerating product innovation cycles requiring specialized technical expertise

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Analytical capabilities are essential for navigating complex product formulations, interpreting consumer research data, and optimizing nutritional profiles while maintaining taste and texture standards. Strong analytical thinking enables evidence-based decision making in fast-paced development environments where technical precision directly impacts market success. Digital proficiency represents a competitive advantage in modern food development, encompassing data analysis tools, digital collaboration platforms, and emerging technologies like AI-assisted formulation. This skill set enables efficient project management and integration with automated testing systems. Communication excellence across all organizational levels ensures effective stakeholder management, from technical discussions with R&D teams to strategic presentations for executive leadership. This capability is particularly crucial in international environments requiring cultural sensitivity and technical translation skills.

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification would enhance ability to coordinate complex multi-site development initiatives and manage competing priorities across international teams Regulatory affairs knowledge would provide valuable expertise in navigating European food safety requirements and accelerating product approval processes Consumer insights training would strengthen market research interpretation capabilities and improve product-market fit assessment skills

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to impact product development for iconic European dairy brands with century-long heritage and established consumer loyalty
Integration with world-class research facilities in Wageningen, providing access to cutting-edge food technology and academic collaboration opportunities
Direct involvement in private label partnerships with major European retailers, offering exposure to diverse business models and market strategies
Comprehensive exposure to full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization across multiple European markets and regulatory environments

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior specialist within 3-4 years, with management opportunities emerging within 5-7 years based on performance and leadership development

Potential Next Roles

Senior Product Development Specialist focusing on strategic innovation leadership and advanced technical specialization Product Development Manager with team leadership responsibilities and broader portfolio oversight Regional Innovation Lead coordinating development activities across multiple European markets

Company Overview

FrieslandCampina

FrieslandCampina operates as one of Europe's largest dairy cooperatives with over 150 years of heritage, maintaining vertically integrated operations from farm to consumer across 100+ countries. The company's portfolio spans 30+ brands including premium consumer products and B2B ingredients, generating approximately EUR 11 billion in annual revenue.

Market leadership position in European dairy sector with strong competitive advantages in innovation capabilities, supply chain integration, and brand portfolio strength across multiple consumer segments
Strategic European hub location in Wageningen provides access to leading food technology research facilities and proximity to major production centers across Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium
Cooperative heritage fostering collaborative decision-making and long-term thinking, with strong emphasis on sustainability, employee development, and inclusive workplace practices supporting diverse international workforce
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