Head of R&D – Beverage Sector – 100% On-site in Rotter…

Head of R&D – Beverage Sector – 100% On-site in Rotterdam

Join to apply for the Head of R&D – Beverage Sector – 100% On-site in Rotterdam role at Fritz & Muller

At Fritz & Muller, we are partnering with a leading multinational company in the beverage sector to recruit a Head of R&D who will lead the innovation, formulation, and research strategy for its beverage portfolio.

This role is strictly focused on beverages and will play a critical role in driving the development of new beverage concepts, optimizing existing formulations, and leading a multidisciplinary R&D team specialized in drinks. The mission is to translate market trends and consumer insights into commercially successful, high‑quality beverage products, ensuring regulatory compliance, efficiency, and scalability.

Our client is a fast‑growing multinational organization exclusively specialized in beverages, developing innovative and premium solutions for the global drinks market.

Responsibilities

Beverage Innovation & Strategy

• Define and execute the R&D roadmap specifically for beverage products, aligned with business objectives and global market trends.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing beverage R&D team focused on formulation, scaling, and product testing.
• Identify new beverage opportunities through market research, consumer insights, and competitive analysis within the drinks sector.
• Oversee ideation, prototyping, pilot production, and successful launch of new beverage products.

Project Management & Quality

• Manage multiple beverage R&D projects, ensuring on‑time delivery and budget control
• Collaborate closely with sales, procurement, quality, regulatory, and production teams within a beverage manufacturing environment.
• Ensure all beverage products comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and market‑specific requirements.
• Implement best practices in sensory evaluation, stability studies, and shelf‑life testing for beverages.
• Partner with ingredient suppliers, external laboratories, co‑packers, and customers within the beverage ecosystem.
• Present beverage R&D concepts, progress, and results to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Drive efficiency, cost optimization, and continuous innovation across beverage R&D processes.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, new ingredients, and emerging technologies specifically related to beverages and beverage compounds.

Requirements (Exclusive)

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of proven experience in R&D or product development within the beverage industry — this experience is mandatory and non‑negotiable.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience developing beverage formulations (candidates without direct beverage experience will not be considered).
• Proven track record of successfully launching beverage products to market.
• Mandatory experience managing and developing high‑performing R&D teams.
• Strong technical knowledge of beverage compounds, formulation, blending, and scaling processes.
• Solid understanding of food safety regulations and quality standards applicable to beverages.
• Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• High level of creativity, flexibility, and innovation mindset.
• Analytical thinking and strong problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Practical experience in sensory evaluation and beverage product testing.
• Experience with alcoholic and/or non‑alcoholic beverages, sustainability initiatives, or global beverage environments will be considered a plus.

This is a 100% on‑site position.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Project Management

Industry

Beverage Manufacturing