Senior Manager Product Development and Applications

Location : Wormerveer 

City : Wormerveer 

State : Noord-Holland (NL-NH) 

Country : Netherlands (NL) 

Requisition Number : 39633 

Bunge is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Manager Product Development and Applications (PDA) to lead our European team. This role is crucial for driving business growth by leveraging technical excellence in oil formulations and food applications, combined with strong project management skills. You will lead the PDA team, manage customer projects from bench to commercialization, and contribute to innovation initiatives, transforming projects into new business opportunities.

Some of the key responsibilities will include:

• Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing PDA team.
• Strategic Planning: Partner with Sales to develop annual strategies, prioritizing high-value initiatives to achieve business objectives.
• Formulation & Application Expertise: Provide technical guidance in oil formulations and food applications. Oversee formula and process approvals and manage customer sampling and pilot production.
• Project Management: Lead customer projects from inception to commercialization, ensuring successful implementation and transition to new business.
• Innovation: Support European product development and innovation, collaborating with Marketing on training, trade shows, and competitive analysis.
• Collaboration & Communication: Effectively communicate across technical and commercial audiences, fostering strong internal cooperation and building relationships with customers and innovation partners.
• Food Safety & Quality: Ensure adherence to company quality systems and implement food safety practices in all R&D processes.
• Performance Management: Track and report pipeline metrics, ensuring first-time-right project execution and a high level of team expertise and engagement.

What do you bring into the role?

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field; Master's degree preferred;
• Minimum 15 years of experience in the food (ingredients) industry. Experience in oils and fats is a big plus;
• At least 10 years of experience in R&D/Innovation Management, Project/Program Management, and Line Management;
• Proven expertise in food applications, food manufacturing, leading customer projects, and scale-up with a proven track record in confectionery and bakery area; 
• Demonstrated ability to identify customer needs, conceptualize solutions, and resolve problems effectively;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills;
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking. 

In this role you are required to be at location Zaandam or Neuss at least 3 times a week. 

If this description reflects your profile or ambition, we’re looking forward to see your application and motivation in English by hitting apply!

In case of questions, please contact our Talent Acquisition Lead N/W Europe at tamara.novak@bunge.com.

#LI-TN1
 

We Are Bunge

Bunge is a global agribusiness with one mission – we connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world. We have unmatched global scale and deeply rooted relationships which allow us to bring innovative ingredients and knowledge to some of the world’s biggest brands – many of which are likely in your home right now. 

We know that to achieve our mission and deliver the best results to our customers, each other and the world we need to work together – so we hire talented people who are passionate, bold and driven to work as One Bunge. This dedication is deeply embedded in our culture and reflected in the way we work.

Every day our people exemplify these values, which represent Bunge at its core:

If this sounds like you, join us! We value and invest in people who believe in our purpose and are excited to live it every day – people who are #ProudtoBeBunge.

Bunge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.