UNILEVER HIVE, WAGENINGEN IS LOOKING FOR A FOODS MICROBIOLOGY MANAGER
Location: Hive, The Netherlands
Local conditions apply
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 consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations.
Due to holidays interviews will take place after 4th August 2025.
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 FOODS R&D
Foods 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. Foods BG’s vision is to be a Force for Good in Foods. Foods 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.
JOB PURPOSE
The Science & Technology (S&T) team in the Foods Business Group is an agile team of enthusiastic world-class scientists who deliver business relevant solutions underpinning brand innovation programs, based on scientific and technological capabilities. One such key capability is Food Microbiology, accountable for the delivery of microbiological solutions across R&D and Supply Chain (SC).
As a Foods Microbiologist, you will work in the microbiology team delivering up-front solutions and safety across our R&D innovation portfolio and business operations supporting iconic brands such as Hellmann’s and Knorr. This is a critical business need as science-driven microbiological support: (1) provides the unlock for faster and sustainable innovation, incident prevention and mitigation (2) provides a solid basis to perform microbiological risk assessments and (3) enables the business to deliver better for you and for the planet products.
WHAT WILL BE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES?
Act as microbiology first point of contact in the provision of microbiological expertise for R&D scientists & product developers, quality and supply chain support.
Line management and mentoring of microbiology team members.
Ensure end-to-end quality in microbiology science-based support, including (statistical) data analysis and visualization, interpretation & presentation, and reporting to relevant stakeholders.
Lead microbiological risk assessments to establish the basis for microbiological safety & stability of new product and process designs.
Identify and adapt new methodologies/process/procedures enabling continuous future fit microbiological data science and lab techniques.
Stay up to date on novel insights and solutions in food preservation systems (e.g. hurdle-technology, natural antimicrobials, etc.).
Provide technical expertise in the design of microbiological experiments for innovation support and ensure robustness of the data.
Manage external relationships and identify new opportunities and unlocks for the programme.
WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO SUCCEED?
Experiences & Qualifications
Ideally MSc or higher in relevant subject (e.g. Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Science & Technology – with focus on microbiology).
Proven experience (>3 years) in applied/industry microbiology roles (ideally in the food sector).
Experience in data management and strong digital skills (e.g. using PowerBI, JMP, R, SPSS) are an advantage.
Skills
Good influencing and communication skills (English written and verbal); ability to convince and defend own agenda in front of internal stakeholders.
Experience in having a led a team.
Ability to use technical judgment to lead team activities and programme direction, preferably experience in line management.
Team player with flexible “we can” attitude, yet ability to work agile and independently.
Ability to work in cross-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments, utilising an established network.
Leadership
You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team delivers with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins.
You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed.
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, bike-plan.
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).
Wellbeing weeks.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This is a free service for you and your relatives in case you might need help in a wide range of issues, including mental health, childcare, elderly care, legal advice, and more.
Home work allowance.
Company laptop and mobile phone.
Green Mobility Policy.
Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate. For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.
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.
Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.
