Intrinsic Development Technologist at The Heineken Company

Key Responsibilities:

Execute on intrinsic development requirements by applying world class application and development practices, in support of business strategies.

• Assist Intrinsic Development Specialists with product application, formulation, risk assessment, project documentation, indicative costings within project timelines.
• Create and develop intrinsic products and samples in response to brief, by translating the required trends, insights and intelligence into innovative, cost effective, regulatory compliant, consumer preferred, winning solutions.
• Understanding and application of Heineken (Beverages) products, raw materials, product formulations as well as supplier technologies to fully utilise during intrinsic development and product application process.
• Take ownership to identify new, as well as support to already identified, COGS improvement projects from ideas to technical implementation.

Drive and execute the development and application of new or renovated products based on sound knowledge of raw materials, products and matrixes, manufacturing processes, market- and sensory insights towards implementation. 

• Manage and coordinate intrinsic stability test register & project sample preparation for best-in-class shelf-life program and furthermore liaison with Shelf-life Program Lead to execute on requests.
• Compile stability testing reports and confirmation of product shelf life for selected projects.
• Preparation and presentation of intrinsic blends for project tastings, listings, consumer research testing and preparation of intrinsic scale up.
• Optimal utilisation of external networks’ capabilities during the product application/development process.
• Rapid prototyping of intrinsic ideas to assess opportunity/viability.
• Ensure all technical- and other product requirements (quality, stability, product and flavour integrity, packaging compatibility, regulatory, costs and other relevant) are delivered in the product development and product design process of allocated projects.
• Support to, and finalisation of product parameters for product quality and shelf-life stability testing.
• Development and finalisation of product related specifications for raw material, ingredients, final product and production processes to ensure manufacturability and compliance to proven product design (including quality) and regulatory requirements.
• Manage and maintain accurate project/product details within Heineken Information Management systems (formulations, specifications, ingredient lists, blending & processing methods, nutritional data, shelf-life reports, processing parameters, timeline logs and other relevant.
• Provide early risk indication and mitigation proposals based on observations during application of intrinsic developments.
• Support and attend scale-up trials and first commercial production of intrinsic product developments in line with technical success criteria. When required, sign-off of new intrinsic product in view of technical product standard designed and defined.
• Procure, analyse and assess competitor products as benchmark and intelligence during new intrinsic product development process for competitive advantage.

Build effective relationships with external and internal stakeholders

• Initiate and practices early integration (internal and external) and collaborate cross-functionally during intrinsic application and development responsibilities toward scale up and implementation.
• Develop and maintain trusting relationships with team members, senior management and immediate line manager.
• Provide technical support to customers/stakeholders seeking product information and advice.
• Assist in preparation for and presentation of intrinsic development tastings at various business platforms and forums as required.

Adapting current work practices, procedures, skills and competencies in response to changing environment and technology advancement.

• Maintain and continuously up-skill self in terms of product development and –formulation technologies, ingredients, competitor activity, insights, trends and external networks’ capabilities in area of expertise.
• Drive own development to ensure specialist knowledge and skills remain world class.
• Skills transfer to co-workers and interdependent areas/individual towards successful delivery of business requirements.
• Actively practices and demonstrates decision making, address and/or highlight hurdles for success, drive effective communication with all key stakeholders relevant (inclusive of immediate team) and share leanings.

Apply and practice leading edge practices through innovation and continuous improvement

• Application of best-in-class, leading new product application and development technologies and practices during the intrinsic development process supported by continuous improvement and removal non-value-added activities.
• Optimisation and maintenance of Intrinsic Product Development Laboratory through effective Laboratory Practices, Ingredient and Flavour Storage Practices, 5S and general upkeep of area.
• Participate in the creation of value-add, technical and non-technical intrinsic language and product descriptors to support brand communication and product positioning.
• Stay abreast with latest competitor product launches, trends, new intrinsic development technologies and new ingredients/flavours and illustration thereof within intrinsic application/renovation/development process.
• Actively drive and participate in intrinsic exploration sessions to inspire new intrinsic ideas and new thinking.

Adhere to all Heineken Beverage’ policies and procedures

• Stay abreast with all Heineken Beverages’ policies, procedures and required training material.

Job Requirements: Education and Experience:

• 3–4-year Bachelor’s degree in the relevant science (Food Science, Food Technology, Consumer Science, Oenology) or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant and proven experience within beverage product development within FMCG. 
• Self-motivated; self-starter; ability to work independently, with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Positive attitude: willingness and agility to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Ability to formulate and follow new product formulations with accuracy.
• Excellence in sensory acuity (smell, taste).
• Good understanding and experience of the product development process for introducing and implementing new or renovated intrinsic products via Stage Gate process and with the required project management principles.
• Good understanding of intrinsic manufacturing processes within FMCG value chain.
• Understanding of Regulatory (Excise & Legal) framework for ingredient/raw material/product compliance.
• Good understanding of Good Laboratory Practices; Health & Safety requirements for certification; Hygiene, 5S, Quality Systems, etc.).
• Takes ownership, able to make decisions under pressure and implement actions.
• Detail orientated; strong problem-solving skills & solution minded.
• Good communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced Computer Literacy (MS Office suite, SAP would be an advantage as well as Laboratory Management Software.
• Have own reliable transport.