Specialty Ingredient Scientist

Belgium or the Netherlands | Hybrid | Full time

- Please consider that we can only hire applicants who currently live in Belgium or the Netherlands -

Join our international R&D community that is shaping the future of animal nutrition. Across Feed and Specialties, our teams work on tomorrow’s nutritional concepts, specialty ingredients and functional solutions, combining scientific expertise with a strong understanding of market needs. Working closely with colleagues across functions and regions, you will contribute to innovations that make a real difference for our customers and a responsible food chain for future generations.

Your challenge As SpecialtyIngredientScientist, you translate science-backed knowledge of the physicochemical properties of specialty ingredients into practical solutions for (young) animal nutrition, taking into consideration requirements regarding product performance, processability and biological efficacy. Through scientific research, experimental design and data-driven insights, you create the foundation for current and next-generation nutritional and functional solutions that support innovation and customer value. You are a member of the R&D team, working in close collaboration with Quality, Operations, Procurement and external suppliers. If you live in Belgium, your work location is Drongen. If you live in the Netherlands, your work location will be Apeldoorn - because you are expected in Belgium occasionally, it is preferable you live south of Apeldoorn. Working from home is possible for about two days a week.

Key responsibilities

• Lead technicalexpertise on specialty ingredients and raw materials.
• Drive laboratory and pilot-scale testing programs to understandstructure-function relationships of specialty ingredients.
• Support innovation projects by identifyingand developing next-generation ingredients and solutions.
• Manage technical knowledge, specifications, and supplier collaboration.
• Act as the go-to expert for technical questions and knowledge sharing across the organization.
• In this role, you report to the R&DDirectorFeed & Specialties.

Our offer

• A gross monthly salary between €5.000,- and €6.500,- (based on full time) depending on experience and work location (Belgium or the Netherlands);
• Plenty of leave days and flexible working hours;
• Laptop and an iPhone;
• Good secondary employment conditions;
• Extensive development opportunities through our Agrifirm Academy.

Who are you?

• PhdorMaster's degree in Food Science, Bioscience Engineering, Chemistry, Animal Nutrition, FeedTechnologyora relatedfield.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in feed, food, ingredients,additivesor process technology.
• Strong understanding of structure-function relationships in specialty ingredients, including the link between chemical composition, molecular structure, physicochemicalpropertiesandin vivoingredient functionality
• Experience with ingredient functionality, laboratory testing, processtechnologyor formulation science is highly valued.
• Curious,analyticaland hands-on mindset.
• Strong communicationand stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working in multidisciplinary and international teams.
• FluencyinEnglishisnecessary.Commandmentof the Dutch language is a plus.

Who are we?

At Royal Agrifirm Group, we strive for an inclusiveculture, in which all ofour employees can say: "I’m a valued member of a winning team, doing meaningful work in an environment of trust." Embedded in our company culture are our STARvalues, representing not only what we value but also how we act; Sharp, Together, Ambitiousand Responsible. We have the reach to bring different players and different worlds together. Combining the ideas, skills and knowledge of all ofour employees enables us to be at the forefront of the development of new concepts, productsand tools to deliver on our purpose; a responsible food chain for future generations.

At Agrifirm, we are committed to equal opportunities and encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.