Research Manager Food Tech Africa

at  Puratos

Job Description

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Be an internal/external expert on African foods and RM’s:
• To build competence on local African raw materials (RM’s) and their use in bakery, patisserie and chocolate
• Build network, identify partners and take responsible role in network concerning African Foods and RM’s
• Follow-up and initiate external (collaborative) projects, present and participate to external seminars and congresses
• Organize application trials in Bakery, Patisserie or Chocolate applications based on identified leads to build expertise on the mechanism of this ingredients/technologies in our products
• Scientific research tasks :
• Understand the African food and raw materials characteristics, identify its functionalities by applying a variety of experimental, computational and statistical methods in order to find new business opportunities.
• Contribute with original ideas to the prosecution of laboratory and/or field experimental procedures
• Explore new ideas in the field of fermented food biotopes in Africa as a part of innovation
• Proactively translate findings in project proposals in line with the vision & strategy of the different Business Unit involved.
• Coordinate complex projects from basic research to market launch, materializing leads into products.
• Sharing knowledge:
• Collaborate in R&D projects across a diverse set of scientific disciplines including fermentation, analytics to provide insights and expertise required for successful project progression
• Communicate on African food to internal and external stakeholders, represent Puratos as an expert in functional area of expertise at professional events
• Connect and exchange with similar Upstream positions in other regions
• Build regional innovation ecosystem by
• Connecting to knowledge & expertise centers (universities, research centers, institutions,….) for ingredients or food systems including the identification & exploration of disruptive technologies (start-ups)
• Actively engaging with government bodies and workgroups related to innovation; influence upcoming regulatory changes. Represent Puratos in this forums
• Connecting local R&D with the ecosystem and leverage it through student exchange, applied research support, accessing services
• Secure IP through contract management , defining patent opportunities and ensure confidentiality on formulas and know-how
• Getting access to local funding
• Collaborate with the local R&D Teams to provide intelligence on innovative raw materials & technologies that can differentiate our products as well to identify potential needs
• Ensure complete and accurate documentation on all projects and major activities and build accessible project documentation in line with Puratos procedures by using the appropriate tools

WHO ARE WE?

Puratos is a growing, international, Belgian family business with a team of more than 10 000 employees worldwide. Since 1919, we have been developing, producing and distributing innovative ingredients for the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors and helping our customers to be successful. We are committed to the health and well-being of people and protecting the planet.
Are you looking for the right recipe for your career? Choose Puratos, a Top Employer in Belgium.
We at Puratos cultivate an inclusive global workplace, that fully embraces diversity and equal opportunities for all. We strive to reflect the richness of our customers, communities and society, accelerating our ability to innovate and deliver on our commitments.
Working at Puratos Belgium
At Puratos Belgium, we offer a wide range of career opportunities across our HQ, and 5 production sites. Our dedication to safety, health and wellbeing, along with respectful collaboration, empowers our employees to innovate and grow together. Our headquarters is in Groot-Bijgaarden, and we have five production sites located in Groot-Bijgaarden, Erembodegem, Lummen, Andenne, and St-Vith. Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, we pave the way for career growth and meaningful contributions within our company, the industry, and the communities we serve.

We are a People First organization driven by our values and Puratos magic culture. Join us to drive positive change through food innovation for good.

• Belgium

This is Puratos
At Puratos, we create innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. As the global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, we help our customers to be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences from food cultures around the world into new opportunities.We are more than 10.000 employees in over 80 countries and a consolidated turnover of 3 billion euros (in 2023). Our passion for innovation, a pioneering spirit and the unique Puratos culture drive our solid growth and vision for the future This, along with our commitment to our local communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.

Please refer the Job description for details