R&D Gum&Chemicals Raw Material specialist
Job Location: ALBA
Company description
Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Kinder Bueno® and Kinder Surprise®. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 40,000 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.
Diversity Statement
Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.
About the Role:
We are currently looking for a talented candidate to work in a highly dynamic and international environment. The candidate will be part of the R&D Gum&Chemicals laboratory team as R&D Raw Materials specialist.
Main Responsibilities:
In this role, the candidate will be responsible for identifying relevant raw materials, in the field of additives and gum-base raw materials, that enable new developments or improvements in both semi-finished and finished products. The person will create specifications that meet technological, regulatory and sensory needs, according to product, brand and markets. Additionally, the candidate will manage the specifications approval process, by exchanging information with suppliers and internal stakeholders and keeping the raw material database up to date.
The candidate will join the R&D projects to support Ferrero’s innovations, performing analysis and experimental trials on new raw materials and semi-finished products. In particular, the candidate will be trained to use laboratory instruments as well as a pilot plant and other equipment to perform trials on semi-finished goods. The person will also support the raw material provision process for the Product Development teams ensuring the availability of all the new raw materials required for the trials.
The candidate will cooperate with Procurement and Quality to manage new raw material life cycle, from scouting to approval and industrial use, and with Food Regulatory to maintain a constant update of regulatory scouting.
The candidate will participate in laboratory management, performing required actions according to HACCP and Health&Safety plans. Keeping instruments and hardware well maintained and ensuring availability of materials.
Who we are looking for:
We are seeking a highly qualified individual with a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Technology or a related field. A PhD in these areas would be a significant advantage. The ideal candidate will possess academic knowledge of food ingredients and technological processes, together with the ability to work on different projects managing timings and priorities.
A previous professional experience in the food industry is a plus. Excellent teamwork and communication skills are essential, as the role involves working collaboratively within cross-functional and international teams.
The ability to thrive in a dynamic and complex work environment is crucial, along with demonstrated resilience and determination to achieve set goals. Proficiency in data analysis is required to inform decision-making processes.
High fluency in English, both written and spoken, is necessary. Additionally, this person should be proficient in MS Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
If you are passionate about the food industry and meet these qualifications, we encourage you to apply and join our innovative team!
How to be successful in the role and at Ferrero:
Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you’ll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.
Strong analytical mind, attention to details on one hand, and ability to cooperate with employees at all levels and great organisational skills on the other, would be key to success. Employee contribution and engagement at Ferrero is based on the individual, team and organisation dimension, so you should have the ability to work independently, as a part of the team and build good relations with stakeholders at all levels. Being flexible and dealing with a dynamic working environment as well as the ability to embed new knowledge and skills in existing competencies will definitely help you to become high performer here.