Innovation and Food Product Development Specialist (M/F)

We are looking for an Innovation and Development Specialist to manage food product development projects.

Work location: Valado dos Frades, Nazaré

Functions: Coordinate development projects for new products, ingredients, packaging, and processes, aligned with market trends and company strategy;

Manage laboratory, pilot, and industrial tests, organize tasting panels, and articulate directly on the factory floor with the Production and Quality teams to monitor implementation and ensure industrial viability;

Physically develop and test new recipes in the kitchen/laboratory, ensuring high standards of flavor and food safety, and optimize the current portfolio to reduce costs (food cost) and waste;

Prepare technical sheets, financial sheets, production roadmaps, and ensure compliance with legal regulations in the food sector;

Manage Private Label briefings for the development of customized products, ensuring the validation and delivery of samples within deadlines, and commercially support customers with recommendations, presentations, and practical preparation training.

Articulate product launches with Marketing, perform competitor analysis, qualify suppliers, and ensure connections to universities and research centers.

Profile: Academic background in Food Engineering, Biotechnology, Cooking, or similar;

Experience leading innovation and food product development teams;

Experience in project management;

Strong operational focus and a liking for practical work in food product development (preparation, kitchen, and monitoring on the production line);

Availability to work in a factory/industrial production environment;

Analytical capacity for cost calculation (food cost) and quality control;

Good communication and negotiation skills;

Good analysis and reporting capacity, with a focus on results;

Creative spirit and proactivity;

Proficiency in the English Language;

The Lusiaves Group is a national reference in the poultry and agro-industrial sector. We grow sustainably and follow the needs and desires of customers by providing them with the best products and services with the aim of generating value and creating wealth. We always combine quality with food safety, both at a social and environmental level. With a strong bet on business verticalization and relying on technological innovation, the Group ensures the entire production process, guaranteeing presence in all stages of the value chain of this sector, namely from the production of corn and compound animal feed, through poultry production, food product processing, and animal health and nutrition. We know that, in this process of national and international growth and expansion, our people are what drive us to go further.