design technologist vacatures in Wageningen

Location: Wageningen, Netherlands

Hybrid

About the Role

The Chilled/Fresh Dairy Technologist will work closely with the Fermentation/Enzymes Manager in a multidisciplinary project team within R&D Global Product Design for Dairy Alternatives. You will be responsible for developing expertise in conducting R&D fermentation trials using lactic acid bacterial cultures and enzyme preparations to enhance the taste and texture of our dairy, hybrid, and plant-based products. New product development will be carried out in close collaboration with other disciplines, such as the cream cheese, hard cheese, and cream teams. Driven by practical curiosity, you are eager to conduct trials related to fermentation and enzyme technologies, continuously pushing the boundaries of expertise. You will contribute to the development of our fermentation capabilities through hands-on work with fermentation equipment in the pilot plant.

You will:

• Execute pilot plant trials in fermentation and enzyme applications to improve our products.
• Focus on hands-on execution, strictly following recipes and processes defined by the Fermentation Expertise Leader.
• Collaborate with fermentation and pasteurization (HTST/UHT) operators and the dairy alternatives teams to identify opportunities for product improvement.
• Report pilot plant and lab-scale trial data to the Fermentation Expertise Leader.
• Work on multiple parallel projects related to plant-based, dairy, and hybrid products.
• Follow instructions from culture and enzyme suppliers to conduct trials with new cultures and enzymes.

So, What Does It Take to Be Successful in This Role?

You are a skilled hands-on operator with an MBO degree in Dairy or Food Processing. You are willing to be involved in running fermentation processes using lactic cultures at the pilot plant scale, carefully monitoring acidification kinetics and making real-time adjustments to ensure optimal results. With a strong troubleshooting mindset, you can quickly identify and resolve fermentation-related issues, whether it's fine-tuning process parameters or handling equipment challenges. You don't just analyze and report data—you take ownership of the process, ensuring high-quality outcomes through practical problem-solving and hands-on execution. You drive things through to enable delivery, staying flexible and adapting to a fast-changing environment with enthusiasm. Additionally, you are fluent in English, both spoken and written, allowing you to communicate effectively in an international setting. Solution-driven and proactive, you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

What's Next?

If this position sounds interesting, please hit the apply button now! The deadline to apply is March 14th.

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