Customer R&D Specialist

ABOUT

THE ROLE As a key member of the R&D team, you will lead technical product development, driving best-in-class product solutions and sharing deep product expertise across the organization. Acting as a trusted partner to customers, you will provide technical guidance on product selection, applications, and chocolate handling optimization to improve manufacturing efficiency. You will deliver technical support, troubleshoot issues at customer sites, and conduct training sessions on our products and applications.

This role is integral to building strong customer partnerships and ensuring exceptional product performance and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Define Recipe Requirements Based on Customer Specs, Reference Material and in Collaboration with Internal Colleagues (Product Expert & Process Engineer).Communicate and Align with Customer and Stakeholders on Project Content and Status Be present on Customer’s site to work through any new product implementation as well as advising how to develop customers business.

Maintain and develop customer relations to maintain communication and insights

Main good overview of customers capabilities, product portfolio, future pipelines and launches.

Perform Application Tests with the Application Lab with or without Customer, e.g. Trials on New Chocolate, Compounds and Fillings Provide on site Technical Advice to Customer on Application during Industrial Trials and to ensure a Smooth Transition to Industrial Scale up (Troubleshooting)
Identify, Inform and Organise Project Members and Stakeholders, e.g. Establish a Team for Innovation or Large projects, Organize Project Team Meetings Ensure Compliance for New Products Through Regulations Knowledge Give Application Training to the Customer workforce and internal colleagues when required

Assess Existing Technology & Equipment and Maintain Knowledge of State of the Art Technological Possibilities for All Kinds of Customer applications

Log Trials and Results in System (SFDC or other)
Promote new products to customers, through innovation days and customer visits

Receive and translate customer briefs for a New or Existing Solution Balance Time and Resource Effort vs. Benefits of the Request, e.g. Discuss Feasibility, Assess risks, Ensure Compliance with Business Standards Collect Customer Feedback on Sample and Testing’s and Define Next Steps in Product Creation Along with QA make a GO/NO GO Decision to Production in Case of OOS and Report the OOS Specificities to Customer Drive continuous improvement initiatives re processes, technologies, and organisation

Ownership and autonomy within the account ABOUT YOU Bachelor’s / Master’s Degree in Food Science or similar field

Minimum 5 years’ experience in the food industry

Experience in Project Management Outstanding presentation skills

Proven track record in continuous improvement management

Experience in a product development, strong application knowledge

Experience in Sales or client interaction

Good knowledge of working tools (MS Office, Salesforce, SAP...)
Fluent Business English Willingness to travel within the UK