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Product Development Specialist - Job Opportunity at Nestlé Nutrition

Konolfingen, Switzerland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 27, 2025
On-site
CHF 85,000 - 110,000 per year. This estimate reflects Switzerland's premium compensation standards for specialized technical roles in multinational corporations, considering the candidate's required 3-5 years experience, advanced degree requirements, and Nestlé's position as a global industry leader. The range accounts for Konolfingen's location near Bern, which typically offers competitive salaries while maintaining lower costs than Zurich or Geneva.

Benefits

Comprehensive career development opportunities across diverse brands, business units, functions, and geographical regions, providing exceptional professional growth potential that exceeds typical single-track career paths
Flexible working arrangements designed to foster creativity and enhance collaboration, supporting work-life integration while maintaining productivity standards
Inclusive workplace culture emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as core organizational values, creating a supportive environment for all employees
Dynamic international work environment that accelerates learning opportunities and professional development through global exposure and cross-cultural collaboration

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive product and process development initiatives for Ready to Drink nutrition products, driving innovation from initial concept through full industrial-scale implementation while ensuring adherence to quality, timeline, and budget objectives
Spearhead nutrition-focused development projects delivering cutting-edge powder, liquid, and plant-based product solutions that directly support strategic innovation pipelines and market expansion goals
Manage sustainability initiatives and complex project coordination, positioning the organization at the forefront of environmentally responsible product development practices
Provide specialized technical consultation and support to global Nestlé Nutrition teams, international markets, manufacturing facilities, and strategic supplier partnerships
Facilitate cross-functional team leadership and coaching while enhancing collaborative relationships between specialized teams, R&D units, business divisions, and external strategic partners

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in food science, Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or equivalent education, a PhD would be a plus, but not required

Experience

3 to 5 years of experience in the field of R&D, application group or similar technical functions would be required

Required Skills

Have developed first specializations steps in key process technologies key to the Infant and Toddler category Proactive, innovative, hands-on, and winning attitude with strong communication and organizational skills Knowing the SAP, NesTMS and other required IT tools would be an asset Fluent English is required, German, French or other language skills would be an advantage
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The infant nutrition industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by increasing global birth rates in emerging markets, heightened parental awareness of early childhood nutrition's long-term health impacts, and growing demand for scientifically-backed nutritional solutions. This trend is particularly pronounced in the ready-to-drink segment, where convenience and nutritional optimization converge to meet modern family needs. Sustainability has become a critical differentiator in the nutrition industry, with companies investing heavily in plant-based alternatives, eco-friendly packaging solutions, and circular economy principles. Organizations that successfully integrate sustainability into product development processes are gaining significant competitive advantages and meeting evolving consumer expectations. Digital transformation is revolutionizing product development cycles in the food science industry, with advanced data analytics, AI-driven formulation optimization, and digital twin technologies enabling faster time-to-market and more precise nutritional targeting. Companies leveraging these technologies are achieving superior product performance and operational efficiency.

Role Significance

Typically manages cross-functional project teams of 5-8 specialists, including R&D scientists, quality assurance professionals, regulatory experts, and manufacturing engineers. The role also involves coordination with broader stakeholder groups spanning multiple international locations and external supplier networks.
This mid-level specialist role carries significant strategic importance, bridging the gap between research innovation and commercial implementation. The position demonstrates substantial autonomy in technical decision-making while requiring collaboration across multiple organizational levels, indicating a role that directly influences product success and market positioning.

Key Projects

Development of next-generation infant formula products incorporating cutting-edge nutritional science and addressing specific developmental needs from pregnancy through toddlerhood Implementation of sustainable manufacturing processes and plant-based product alternatives that meet both environmental objectives and nutritional requirements Cross-regional product adaptation projects ensuring global formulations meet local regulatory requirements and cultural preferences while maintaining consistent quality standards

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in infant nutrition science combined with practical understanding of industrial-scale manufacturing processes, enabling effective translation of research insights into commercially viable products Strong project management capabilities and cross-cultural communication skills essential for coordinating complex international development initiatives involving diverse stakeholder groups and regulatory environments Innovation mindset balanced with regulatory compliance awareness, ensuring creative product solutions meet stringent safety and nutritional standards while pushing industry boundaries Sustainability integration expertise that positions products and processes ahead of regulatory requirements and consumer expectations, creating long-term competitive advantages

Market Demand

High demand. The intersection of food science expertise, infant nutrition specialization, and sustainability focus creates a highly sought-after skill combination. The global emphasis on early childhood nutrition, combined with the technical complexity of ready-to-drink formulations, ensures strong market demand for professionals with this specific expertise.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced food science and nutrition expertise specifically focused on infant and toddler developmental needs, as this specialized knowledge directly determines product efficacy and safety in this highly regulated market segment Process development and scale-up capabilities that enable successful transition from laboratory formulations to industrial manufacturing, representing the core value creation activity in product development roles Cross-functional collaboration and project management skills essential for coordinating complex development initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, regulatory requirements, and technical constraints across international markets

Beneficial Skills

Sustainability and environmental science knowledge that positions professionals ahead of industry trends and regulatory developments, creating competitive advantages in an increasingly environmentally conscious market Digital technology proficiency including data analytics and process optimization tools that enhance development efficiency and enable more sophisticated product formulation approaches Regulatory affairs understanding and international market knowledge that facilitates global product development and accelerates time-to-market across diverse regulatory environments

Unique Aspects

Direct impact on infant and child health outcomes through development of scientifically-proven nutrition solutions that support critical developmental stages from pre-conception through toddlerhood
Integration of sustainability principles into core product development processes, positioning the role at the intersection of environmental responsibility and nutritional science innovation
Access to Nestlé's global research network and cutting-edge facilities, providing exposure to advanced technologies and international best practices that accelerate professional development
Opportunity to influence global nutrition standards and industry practices through work with a market-leading organization that sets trends rather than following them

Career Growth

Progression to senior management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years, with advancement dependent on successful project delivery, leadership development, and strategic business impact. The specialized nature of infant nutrition creates accelerated advancement opportunities for high-performing professionals.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Product Development Manager overseeing multiple product lines and leading larger development teams across regional markets R&D Director positions focusing on strategic innovation direction and technology roadmap development for entire business units Global Technical Manager roles coordinating product development initiatives across multiple international markets and manufacturing facilities Business Development Manager positions leveraging technical expertise to drive commercial strategy and market expansion initiatives

Company Overview

Nestlé Nutrition

Nestlé stands as the world's largest food and beverage company, with its Nutrition division representing a cornerstone of the organization's strategic focus on health and wellness. The company's Product & Technology Center in Konolfingen serves as a global innovation hub, developing products and processes that reach consumers in over 180 countries worldwide.

Nestlé maintains dominant market leadership in the global infant nutrition sector, competing primarily with Danone, Abbott, and Mead Johnson. The company's substantial R&D investment, estimated at over CHF 1.7 billion annually, reinforces its position as an industry innovation leader and technology pioneer.
The Konolfingen facility represents Nestlé's European innovation headquarters for nutrition products, with strategic importance extending across European, Middle Eastern, and African markets. This location provides access to Switzerland's exceptional regulatory environment and proximity to leading European research institutions.
Nestlé's culture emphasizes scientific rigor combined with entrepreneurial innovation, fostering an environment where technical professionals can pursue cutting-edge research while maintaining commercial relevance. The company's commitment to diversity and inclusion creates collaborative international teams that leverage global perspectives for local market solutions.
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