Project Manager R&D

Requisition ID530574-Posted11/09/2026-Western Europe-VVM-Full Time-Project Manager-Belgium-Antwerp

Country: Belgium
Req ID: 530574
Job Type: Full Time
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Seniority Level: Associate

Are you a Project Manager who turns research into practice? Would you like to develop new low-carbon cements, from initial formulation through to industrial validation? Then we would love to hear from you

R&D Project manager (Full-time)

Where will you be working?

As an R&D Project Manager, you will join the R&D team working across VVM and Cementbouw to develop the next generation of low-carbon cements. You will bring together internal teams, external research partners, suppliers, and customers to turn research into technically sound, commercially relevant solutions that can be produced on an industrial scale.
You will be based at one of our production sites in Antwerp or Ghent, working in an industrial research environment where development meets production. Your role will also involve travel to other production sites in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as visits to research partners and customers.

What will your role involve?

You will lead the planning and delivery of our low-carbon cement development project, with a clear goal: to develop two to three new cements that offer the best possible combination of strength and workability for precast and ready-mixed concrete customers. You will bring together technical expertise, effective planning, collaboration, and clear decision-making.

As the pivotal point of contact, you will keep sight of both the overall project and its technical detail.

You will focus on three interconnected responsibilities:

• Developing, monitoring, and adjusting project plans, timelines, milestones and budgets, and identifying and addressing risks and deviations promptly.
• Translating customer requirements into measurable objectives and a structured programme of laboratory research, pilot trials, and industrial validation.
• Connecting research partners, suppliers, customers and internal teams, and communicating results, risks, and recommendations clearly.

Key tasks will include:

• Developing new cement formulations by evaluating supplementary cementitious materials, chemical additives, and grinding strategies. You will use a structured Design of Experiments approach to interpret results and determine the next steps.
• Organising trials with precast and ready-mixed concrete customers and turning their feedback into improvements. You will coordinate scale-up using existing production facilities and define appropriate process and quality control parameters.
• Organising project meetings, workshops, and progress reporting, with clear decision points (Stage Gates). You will maintain traceable documentation, coordinate assessments against applicable cement and concrete standards, and provide technical input for grant reporting where required.

Throughout the project, you will seek the right balance between clinker reduction, early strength, workability retention, durability, cost, and industrial manufacturability. You will ask critical questions, make data-driven decisions, and bring stakeholders along as you determine the next steps. In doing so, you will help turn research findings into practical construction materials.

What do we offer?

You will join a company with a close-knit culture and a flat organisational structure, where autonomy, responsibility and freedom go hand in hand. We embrace diversity, value different perspectives, and encourage initiative.
If you wish, we will work with you to explore opportunities for your growth and development.

• A full-time position (40 hours per week) within a driven organisation.
• A competitive salary based on your knowledge and experience.
• A wide range of additional benefits, including hospitalisation insurance, group insurance, meal vouchers and eco vouchers.
• 20 days of statutory annual leave, plus 12 working-time reduction days and 10 public holidays.
• A company car with a fuel/charging card.
• A laptop and smartphone, including a mobile plan.
• You hold a relevant master's degree or PhD and have in-depth knowledge of cement and cementitious materials.
• You have at least three years’ project management experience and have successfully completed at least one industrial or research project.
• You are proficient in Design of Experiments and statistical software, and confident using Microsoft Office, Teams, and SharePoint.
• You have excellent communication skills in English. Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage, and you are committed to learning Dutch during your employment.
• You are analytical, re