Flavor Technologist 

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR A FLAVOUR TECHNOLOGIST

Location: Hive, Wageningen, the Netherlands   

Local conditions apply

Full-time

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

Salary:  43 K- 59 K gross per year depending on background and experience.

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

ABOUT NUTRITION R&D

Nutrition is the largest Business Group (BG) in Unilever with global multibillion-dollar brands such as Knorr and Hellman’s and many strong regional and local brands. Nutrition BG’s vision is to be a Force for Good in Foods. Nutrition R&D develops and delivers unmissably superior products and solutions that are Boldly Healthier for People and Planet, rooted in differentiated science and technology. With our global innovation centre Hive, in the heart of the Silicon Valley of Food, in Wageningen, The Netherlands, and our network of R&D teams across the world, we work closely with many internal and external partners to create market-winning innovations. Increasingly, Digital and Data are the currency of how we work in R&D, from discovery through product development and deployment. New developments in AI and Data Science will be the crucial differentiator for us to win.

ABOUT UNILEVER FOOD SOLUTIONS

Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is a significant player in the global foodservice market, with world-class power brands, as the Unilever Food Solutions brand, Knorr Professional and Hellmann’s. UFS ambition is to reach €5bn with industry accretive profitability by 2023, establishing the largest global platform for professional chefs in the Foodservice industry.  UFS mission is to be a world class force for good in foodservice, by leading in AI-powered customer experience, being the best solution provider in the industry, and a winning talent engine. Our purpose is to “free you to love what you do!”.  UFS leads the way in culinary trends and inspirational recipes, offers professional support and training to chefs around the world, and creates products that stand out in taste, convenience, and health and continuously meet the very high standard of professional chefs. This all can only be achieved through impactful innovations, superior products and technology, and a strong focus on developing future-fit talent.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.  If you are curious, have a hands-on attitude and love flavours, then this role is just for you!

The Flavour Technologist is responsible for executing both laboratory and kitchen-based experiments to generate understanding on flavour modulation and flavour matrix interactions. The Flavour Technologist will perform analytical methods and coordinate sensory trials and thus touches all aspects of flavour science. They will report in an electronic lab journal, team presentations and contribute to formal research reports.

The overall aim of the work is to convert ideas into technologies and scientific understanding, which, in collaboration with Global Design and Cluster Design teams, will need to be brought to market implementation.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Support delivery of flavour science projects in close collaborations with other S&T teams, Global Design and Cluster Design.

• Be responsible for the set-up of sensory evaluation by (semi-)trained panel members in close collaboration with the sensory team.

• Be responsible for routine flavour analyses (e.g. GC-MS and LC) and liaise with expert colleagues on advanced flavour analysis (GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR).

• Perform flavour science-related experiments on lab/kitchen scale: create recipes and products, ranging from bouillons to dressings.

• Work according to HAACP standards.

• Coherently report, interpret and discuss experimental series and advise follow up

• Tracking and reporting of processing conditions and results.

• Fully operational (or trained to be) in use of Unilever data management systems for ingredient and product management as Electronic Lab Notebook, LIMS Product Lifecycle Management, etc.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Proven record of culinary interest and passion.

• Education at HBO level in a flavour/food science or technology driven field.

• Has working knowledge on analytical flavour measurement techniques.

• Has working knowledge on sensory principles and tasting skills.

• Lab or kitchen experience is required.

• Proven scientific way of thinking and handling (thinks before doing, stepwise and logic approach of problem-solving).

• Experienced in using Microsoft Tools (Word, Outlook, Excel, PPT, TEAMS) and Statistical Software (e.g. JMP). 

• Team player who likes to work in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Hands-on attitude and strong desire to learn new skills.

• The position is in an environment where tasting is essential. Working knowledge on sensory principles and tasting skills is preferred.

• Candidates with good tasting ability without dietary restrictions (e.g., due to food allergies) are preferred.

Skills

• Scientific thinking

• Reporting

• Chemical analysis

• Sensorial analysis

• Communication

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products. 

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

• Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.   

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you! 

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against. 

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

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