Product Development Scientist

This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption.

Job Description

Your opportunity within AFB International As our Science & Technology Product Development Scientist (level will be based on experience and education), you will play a critical in the global Research & Development driving product sciences to deliver successful new products, scale-up of new technology, taking supply assurance of raw materials into consideration, management of critical risk factors in product development and provide technical support to operations.

The main responsibility in this role is to develop new palatants meeting the criteria of internal and external stakeholders and strengthen our product portfolio. In this role, you will report to the Global Head of Product Sciences.

Key Responsibilities * Technical lead for the development of key new products to enable the Science & Technology pipeline strategy with a focus on dry dog and cat palatants. * Lead multi-disciplinary teams responsible for innovation projects from concept to execution. * Leverage deep expertise in raw material knowledge, particularly in areas such as yeast, to develop robust chassis models for new product development. * Conduct lab work to develop new dry products and to evaluate new products with analytical capabilities (e.g. NIR, colorimeter). * Optimize and improve existing technologies to provide new product capability, higher product quality, or improve manufacturing efficiency. * Collaborate with external partners such as suppliers, research institutions, and academic experts to leverage external knowledge and capabilities in product development. * Develop and execute the trial plan and risk management process for new product development and implementation. * Work closely with Regulatory Affairs to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards throughout the product development process.

* Lead pilot plant spray drying activities and utilize expertise, like glass transition to optimize drying conditions and product stability. * Partner with Process Sciences and manage critical processing risks to ensure a seamless implementation from new product concept to production. * Utilize expertise in dry processing techniques (blending and drying) and equipment to upscale recipes from laboratory to factory, ensuring product quality, stability, and consistency. Collaborate with Process Sciences and Engineering teams for seamless implementation. * Provide product support to the Manufacturing sites through an intimate technical knowledge of processproduct interactions. * Perform data analysis on the generated data in experimental designs and analytical trials. * Responsible for communication (both written and verbal) of key project / technical findings (presentations and technical reports), informs project team and key stakeholders for further decision making. Education & Professional

Qualification * BSc/MSc in Food/Chemical - Engineering, Technology or Science discipline. * Minimum 2 years' experience with the ability to demonstrate a proven track record in food related technologies. Experience should include product development and scale-up. Knowledge/Experience * Good understanding of food technology, chemistry, microbiology, food assurance and sensory science through academic and practical experiences. * Experience in formulating recipes. * Experience in spray drying technology, familiar with things like glass transition. * Experienced in using research methods, experimental designs, and data analysis, * Understand fundamentals of good project management and be able to use in the projects on daily basis. * Excellent (Dutch and) English verbal and written communication skills. * Basic understanding of food manufacturing practices and quality standards.

Competencies * Accurate and strong analytical skills. * Hands on mentality, able to work in a lab/pilot environment to create products. * Result and data driven oriented combined with entrepreneurial and innovative mindset. * Excellent communication and presentation skills. * Good sense of teamwork and proactive networking skills. * Ability to prioritize and oversee multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. * Strong interpersonal skills and able to collaborate with cross-functional teams including procurement, sales and operations.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.