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Senior Manager Product Development and Applications - Job Opportunity at Bunge

Wormerveer, Netherlands
Full-time
Executive
Posted: July 19, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 120,000 - 150,000 per year based on the executive-level responsibilities, 15+ years experience requirement, team leadership scope, and Netherlands location. The role's strategic importance in driving business growth and technical expertise in specialized oil formulations would position it in the upper tier of food industry R&D management compensation.

Benefits

Opportunity to lead European team operations with significant strategic impact on business growth
Access to cutting-edge R&D facilities and innovation resources in the agribusiness sector
Extensive collaboration opportunities with global teams and international customers
Professional development through leadership of high-performing technical teams
Exposure to diverse food industry applications including confectionery and bakery sectors
Strategic partnership opportunities with Sales and Marketing functions

Key Responsibilities

Drive transformational leadership by developing and mentoring a high-performing Product Development and Applications team to achieve technical excellence and business growth objectives
Execute strategic business planning in partnership with Sales leadership to identify and prioritize high-value initiatives that directly impact revenue generation and market expansion
Provide expert technical guidance in oil formulations and food applications while overseeing critical formula approvals and managing customer sampling through pilot production phases
Lead comprehensive customer project lifecycle management from initial conception through full commercialization, ensuring successful implementation and seamless transition to sustainable new business opportunities
Champion European innovation initiatives by supporting product development strategies and collaborating with Marketing on technical training, industry trade shows, and competitive market analysis
Foster cross-functional collaboration and communication excellence across technical and commercial audiences while building strategic relationships with key customers and innovation partners
Ensure rigorous adherence to company quality systems and implement comprehensive food safety practices throughout all R&D processes and operations
Drive performance excellence through systematic tracking and reporting of pipeline metrics while ensuring first-time-right project execution and maintaining high levels of team expertise and engagement

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field; Master's degree preferred

Experience

Minimum 15 years of experience in the food (ingredients) industry with at least 10 years of experience in R&D/Innovation Management, Project/Program Management, and Line Management

Required Skills

Experience in oils and fats Proven expertise in food applications Food manufacturing experience Leading customer projects Scale-up experience Proven track record in confectionery and bakery area Demonstrated ability to identify customer needs Conceptualize solutions Resolve problems effectively Excellent communication skills Interpersonal skills Leadership skills Strong business acumen Strategic thinking
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The global food ingredients industry is experiencing accelerated consolidation with major players like Bunge expanding their technical capabilities to maintain competitive advantages in specialized applications such as oils and fats formulations. Companies are investing heavily in R&D leadership positions to drive innovation in response to changing consumer preferences for healthier, more sustainable food products. European food manufacturers are increasingly demanding technical partnerships rather than simple ingredient supply relationships, creating significant opportunities for companies with strong product development and applications expertise. This trend is driving demand for senior technical leaders who can bridge the gap between ingredient science and commercial food production. Sustainability and clean-label trends are reshaping the oils and fats industry, with companies needing technical leaders who can develop innovative formulations that meet both performance requirements and consumer expectations for natural, environmentally responsible ingredients.

Role Significance

Based on the scope of responsibilities including European team leadership, customer project management, and collaboration across multiple functions, this role likely involves managing a team of 8-15 technical professionals including food scientists, application specialists, and project managers across multiple European locations.
This is a senior executive position with significant strategic responsibility for European operations, evidenced by the requirement for 15+ years industry experience, direct team leadership responsibilities, partnership with Sales leadership on annual strategies, and accountability for transforming technical projects into new business opportunities. The role sits at the intersection of technical excellence and commercial success.

Key Projects

Leading the development of next-generation oil formulations for major European food manufacturers in the confectionery and bakery segments Managing large-scale customer projects involving formula optimization and process scale-up from laboratory to commercial production Driving innovation initiatives focused on sustainable and clean-label ingredient solutions Implementing strategic partnerships with key customers for co-development of specialized food applications

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in oil and fat chemistry combined with comprehensive understanding of food manufacturing processes and scale-up challenges Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value propositions that resonate with both technical and commercial stakeholders Strong leadership and team development capabilities to build and maintain high-performing technical teams across multiple European locations Strategic thinking and business acumen to identify market opportunities and align technical capabilities with commercial objectives Exceptional project management skills to handle multiple complex customer projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and timeline commitments

Market Demand

High demand driven by the critical shortage of experienced technical leaders in the food ingredients sector who possess both deep scientific expertise in oils and fats applications and proven commercial leadership capabilities. The combination of R&D management, customer project leadership, and strategic planning skills makes this a highly sought-after profile.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Leadership and team development capabilities are essential given the responsibility for managing European technical teams and driving organizational performance. The success of this role depends heavily on the ability to attract, develop, and retain top technical talent while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Technical expertise in oils and fats formulation is fundamental to credibility with both internal teams and external customers. This specialized knowledge enables effective guidance of complex technical projects and supports strategic decision-making about product development investments. Project management and commercialization skills are critical for translating technical innovations into business value. The ability to manage multiple customer projects from bench to market while ensuring first-time-right execution directly impacts revenue generation and customer satisfaction.

Beneficial Skills

Strategic business acumen and financial understanding would enhance the ability to prioritize investments and communicate value propositions to senior leadership and customers Sustainability expertise and knowledge of clean-label trends would provide competitive advantage in developing next-generation products that meet evolving market demands Digital technology and data analytics skills would support more efficient R&D processes and enable better customer insights and market intelligence gathering

Unique Aspects

This role offers the rare opportunity to lead technical innovation in the specialized oils and fats sector within one of the world's largest agribusiness companies, providing access to global resources while focusing on European market leadership
The position uniquely combines deep technical R&D responsibilities with significant commercial accountability, requiring the successful candidate to drive both scientific innovation and business growth simultaneously
Located in the Netherlands with requirements for presence in both Zaandam and Neuss, this role provides exposure to diverse European markets and the opportunity to work with major international food manufacturers
The emphasis on confectionery and bakery applications represents a specialized niche within food ingredients that requires unique technical expertise and offers significant growth potential

Career Growth

Typical progression to next executive level would be 4-6 years, given the strategic nature of this role and the opportunity to demonstrate business impact through successful commercialization of innovations and team development outcomes.

Potential Next Roles

VP Product Development for global operations with responsibility for North American and Asian markets in addition to European leadership Chief Technology Officer or VP Innovation for Bunge's global food ingredients division General Manager or Business Unit Leader for a specific product category within Bunge's portfolio Senior executive roles at other major food ingredients companies or transition to leadership positions at food manufacturing companies

Company Overview

Bunge

Bunge is one of the world's largest agribusiness companies with over 150 years of history, operating across the entire food supply chain from farm to consumer. The company is a major global supplier of food ingredients, with particular strength in oils, fats, and protein ingredients, serving food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers worldwide.

Bunge ranks among the top 3 global agribusiness companies alongside Cargill and ADM, with annual revenues exceeding $50 billion and operations in over 40 countries. The company's food ingredients division is a market leader in specialty oils and fats for food manufacturing applications.
In Europe, Bunge operates multiple manufacturing facilities and technical centers, with significant presence in the Netherlands, Germany, and other key markets. The Netherlands location positions this role at the heart of European food ingredient innovation and provides access to major food manufacturing customers across the region.
Bunge emphasizes collaborative teamwork with their 'Act as One Team' philosophy, combined with a strong focus on operational excellence and innovation. The company culture values technical expertise while encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and cross-functional partnership to drive business results.
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