Associate Senior R&D Technologist

Come to be part of the team that dreams and implements the future of the food industry at Kraft <Heinz.Here> in the Growth Team - we believe the future can be different. Product Innovation needs to be more consumer centric so we can bring even more impact to consumers’ lives!Job Title: Associate Senior R&D Technologist (Product Developer) Location: Nijmegen (The Netherlands)About the PositionThis position lies within the EU R&D Product Development Team. You’ll be working in a high performing team, alongside peers always trying to reach the next level. You’ll be reporting to the R&D Head of Culinary Tomato. You’ll lead product development projects end-to-end and be accountable for delivery, from benchtop through factory validation. You’ll combine hands-on technical work (formulation, trials, scale-up readiness) with project leadership, clear cross-functional alignment, and data-based decision-making.What you’ll doLead new product launches from benchtop to factory validation, owning milestones, timeline, and delivery.Define formulation strategy within the brief, including feasibility constraints, validation approach, and key <trade-offs.Drive> prototype development and technical execution (formulation, trials, tastings, scale-up readiness) with clear next steps.Align Marketing, Procurement, Quality, and Operations on feasibility reality, decision gates, and risks to avoid surprises.Maintain a living risk log, surface issues early, and recommend scope/plan adjustments to protect outcomes.Ensure regulatory, quality, claims, nutritional, and cost readiness as the work moves toward implementation.Supervise interns and guide junior colleagues; review their work and provide go/no-go recommendations.Soft skills neededStrong project management and organizational skills to manage competing priorities and deadlines.Resilience and emotional intelligence to build collaborative relationships and resolve most project-level disputes.Negotiation and influencing skills to challenge unrealistic briefs or timelines with data and alternatives.Constructive and solution-oriented under pressure, translating shifting stakeholder needs into clear next steps.Qualifications & ExperienceEducation: BSc and/or MSc in Food Science / Food Science & Technology (or equivalent in a related field such as Biology, Chemistry, Engineering)Work experience:3–5 years’ experience in an R&D development roleProven track record of bringing products to marketExperience in both product & packaging developmentExperience working in an international company and complex / matrix organizationLanguage: Business proficient EnglishWhat good looks like in this roleYou challenge timelines and cost targets with data, options, and clear decision <gates.You> build trust across functions through clarity, proactive alignment, and “no surprises.”You make timely calls that balance speed and robustness, protecting quality and <manufacturability.You> show business awareness, including margin, cost, and scalability implications of technical decisions.What we offer youAt Kraft Heinz, we’re not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. It all comes down to the way we empower our people to own their work. It’s true: Our employees are what makes us successful. As part of the Kraft Heinz family, you’re supported to grow and achieve and will be recognized and rewarded for outstanding performance at every level.An ambitious employer; we only want the best for our peopleA fast career track like only few other companies can matchPermanent contract; we believe in doing big bets on talentAlways room for new insights; if you have a phenomenal idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action! Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.