The Bel Group is a major player in the food industry through portions of dairy, fruit and plant-based products, and one of the world leaders in branded cheeses. Its portfolio of differentiated and internationally recognized brands includes The Laughing Cow®, Kiri®, Babybel®, Boursin®, Pom'Potes® and GoGo squeeZ®, as well as some 30 local brands. Together, these brands helped the Group generate sales of €3.74 billion in 2024.
Do you want to join a company with strong brands that puts consumers and responsibility at the heart of the decision-making process? Then Bel is made for you!
Are you bold, pragmatic, and determined? Do you want to contribute to the transformation of an international agri-food company? Them come join us and measure the impact of your talent and energy in realizing an ambitious and sustainable company project!
#IWorkForAllForGood
LOCATION AND DATE
Permanent contract to be filled from September 2026
Position based at Groupe Bel’s Research, Innovation and Development (RID) center.
Position based in Vendôme, in Loir-et-Cher (41), on the TGV line connecting Paris (40 minutes) and Tours (20 minutes).
MAIN MISSIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of the growing activity within the Babybel Research, Innovation and Development (RID) team, we are recruiting a Process and Product Development Portfolio Manager.
Reporting to the Babybel Europe Development Manager, the Process and Product Development Portfolio Manager will be responsible for:
- managing and developing the full portfolio of Innovation, Renovation and Productivity projects for Babybel products, on a global scope, across the European plants under his/her responsibility, with the support of plant Innovation Technologists;
- directly leading or coordinating selected projects depending on business stakes (priority, resources, scope), in order to deliver them in line with quality, cost and timing objectives.
Key responsibilities
- Process and Product Project Portfolio Management
- Lead, prioritize and arbitrate the project portfolio and the allocation of available resources across the plants under his/her responsibility, according to business and/or strategic priorities.
- Manage trial budgets: monitoring, reporting, recommendation of OPEX reallocations during the fiscal year, and preparation of budgets for Year+1.
- Act as a driving force to feed the Babybel Innovation – Renovation – Saving pipeline through a user-centric approach, taking into account consumer needs in terms of functionality, naturality and CSR challenges, while considering business, regulatory, operational and quality constraints.
- Lead Innovation – Renovation – Saving projects autonomously and cross-functionally, in line with Bel Group methodology (processes, project management tools, risk analysis, etc.), in order to ensure On Time / In Full delivery in terms of quality, cost and timing.
- Ensure project deliverables from the exploration phase through to industrial implementation and product launch, with a strong presence on the field whenever needed.
- Develop products by leveraging technical expertise and analytical skills in order to guide, prioritize and select the most relevant solutions based on the project brief and local constraints (processes, raw materials, etc.), with the appropriate level of challenge.
- Ensure proper onboarding of project team members and associated technical contributors (engineering, plant teams, etc.).
- Mobilize the required expertise (packaging, engineering, quality, regulatory, CSR, purchasing, logistics, etc.) and resources (new equipment, RID pilot trials, RID laboratory characterizations) needed to achieve project objectives.
- Co-develop solutions with internal and external partners, challenge technical choices and propose relevant directions.
- Organize and lead field trials in pilot plants, Bel factories or at subcontractors’ sites.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of Time to Market and monitor key post-launch performance indicators (experience feedback loop).
- Functional Management, Communication and Activity Steering
- Functionally manage 3 plant technologists under his/her responsibility (prioritization, workload planning, capability building…) regarding RID project deliverables.
- Organize and co-facilitate Plant Development Committees with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Act as the key RID business partner between the plants, the Global Babybel Marketing team and local business teams, notably by coordinating technical feasibility requests.
- Represent his/her portfolio and/or projects in Country, Zone or Brand SteerCo.
PROFILE
Master’s degree in Food Engineering or equivalent (Bac +5 / Master’s level), with at least 10 years of experience, and solid expertise in recipe and/or process development, from technical exploration through to industrial implementation.
Required skills and experience
- Strong knowledge of traditional cheesemaking: milk treatment, standardization and transformation processes into cheese (ideally semi-hard / hard cheese).
- Fluency in English, enabling effective work in an international environment.
- Strong technical expertise from exploration to industrial implementation, on both product and process dimensions.
- Proven project management experience from ideation to first production, both in terms of methodologies (planning, risk analysis, agility, reporting, etc.) and ability to work in cross-functional and multicultural teams.
- Ability to foster a positive, supportive and trust-based environment to lead technical teams in industrial implementation projects.
- Ability to drive change, challenge the status quo, and enable collaboration.
- Strong ability to connect with a wide range of internal and external ecosystems.
