Quality Specialist – New Product Development (NPD)

Project overview

As quality partner for NPD, change and CAPEX projects you support multidisciplinary teams in launching new products and process changes safely and in line with quality standards.

Profile of the suited interim professional:

• Provide QA and food safety guidance during product development, change and CAPEX projects
• Identify quality risks and ensure suitable controls are put in place
• Assist with rolling out new products and production methods at manufacturing locations
• Draft and assess sampling schemes, quality control plans and validation protocols
• Assess changes to products, processes, equipment and packaging from a quality angle
• Oversee documentation, approvals and milestone tracking for quality-related changes
• Chair the Business Group Change Board and monitor relevant quality KPIs
• Define validation and release requirements and confirm quality conditions before implementation
• Assist with audits, post-launch verification and issue resolution following product or process changes
• Coach project teams and junior quality colleagues on quality and change management standards
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Technology, Food Science or a comparable discipline
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Assurance within the food industry
• Background in branded food products aimed at consumers
• Solid knowledge of food safety, quality management systems and relevant regulations
• Background in a manufacturing or production environment
• Technical grasp of production methods, equipment or engineering-oriented projects
• Proven track record in NPD, change management, validation or CAPEX initiatives
• Capability to independently run projects and guide multidisciplinary stakeholders
• Solid communication, analytical and organisational capabilities
• Good command of English; Dutch is an advantage
• Prior exposure to an international or matrix organisation is an advantage

Project details

• Start: flexible
• Location: Leeuwarden, Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, NL
• Languages: English, Dutch