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Pilot Plant Technician

Danone

Utrecht
Full-time
0-2 years experience
On-site

Key Skills

Food Processing
Pilot Plant Operations
Process Trials
Equipment Handling
Equipment Maintenance
Pasteurization
Sterilization
Homogenization
Evaporation
Spray Drying
Dissolving
Food Safety
ISO 22000
Trial Reporting
Communication
Cross-Functional Collaboration

Job Description

About The Job For the Danone Global Research & Innovation center in Utrecht we are looking for a pilot plant technician who gets excited about helping our Product and Process Technologists with high-quality products using state-of-the-art processes. About The Job In this job, you will work in our Pilot Plant in the Research and Innovation center in Utrecht. You are responsible for testing processes and making the product in pilot phase together with the technologist. They are our customers, so you have a flexible attitude to assist them in answering their research questions. With your knowledge of the equipment and the food process you are a vital member of our Specialized Nutrition organization. Together with your colleagues from the Shelf Life department, Food Science & Technology lab and Product & Process development, you strive for continues improvement. In this role you are the expert on processes and equipment in the pilot plant and a partner to colleagues from other departments. You will learn about processes like dissolving, pasteurization, sterilization, homogenization, evaporation and spray drying. You feel responsible for the products that you work with and have added value to the team due to your skills and knowledge of food processing. You will be responsible for some of the equipment. Your Other Responsibilities Are Execution of various types of trials requested by Product and Process developers Perform maintenance tasks on equipment Being an active member in cross functional project teams Responsible for handling different pilot plant equipment Write instructions and trial reports and communicate them internally Take care of a safe and pleasant working environment Compliance with our food safety requirements (ISO 22000) About you We are looking for a hands-on pilot plant technician who has a passion for working within a pilot plant environment and has a natural interest in food ingredients and food processing. Next to that, you bring MBO or HBO Food & Process or similar study and/or VAPRO C with a food background Working experience in food processing is a pre You have an open style of communication and are eager to learn Proactive mindset is a must Experience in a quality regulated environment (e.g ISO 22000 / ISO 9001) is a pre Interest in technique and maintenance is a pre You speak English, Dutch is a pre About us At Danone we are committed to our mission “bringing health, through food to as many people as possible”. We are working together to make sure that our brands, like Nutricia and Nutrilon, create real benefits for people, communities and the planet. You will be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world. Being B Corp means to be part of a select movement of companies verified to be meeting the highest standards of social and environmental criteria and using business as a force for good. One Planet. One Health. Our state-of-the-art research and innovation center builds bridges between food and science and is global in reach, founded on over 125 years of experience in life & food science, technology and user experience and is at the forefront of pioneering advances in specialized nutrition. We offer All Danoners receive a complete package of benefits. This includes a competitive salary and yearly bonus, a premium free pension, 30 days of annual leave (with the opportunity to purchase more) and you will receive a monthly health care allowance. In addition, you can get discount on your gym membership, and we offer initiatives focused on nutrition, physical, and mental health. We provide continuous learning opportunities through workshops, online courses and training sessions. We put people at the center of everything we do. Bring your unique perspective, ambitions and ideas to the table – the impact you could make might surprise you. We are committed to embrace diversity, nurturing an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is deeply embedded in Danone's DNA. What's Next It’s simple – hit the “apply” button. In order to comply with GDPR we can’t process your personal data without your given consent, so please apply directly via this website. Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you. All applications will be considered for a vacancy without discrimination based on ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Core Responsibilities

Conduct pilot-scale product and process trials with Product and Process developers, operate and maintain pilot plant equipment, and support research questions. Prepare instructions and trial reports, contribute to cross-functional teams, and maintain a safe working environment while complying with food safety requirements.

Requirements

The role calls for an MBO or HBO qualification in Food and Process or a similar field, and/or VAPRO C with a food background; experience in food processing is an advantage. Candidates should be hands-on, proactive, eager to learn, communicate openly, and speak English; Dutch, experience in a quality-regulated environment, and an interest in equipment and maintenance are advantages.

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary
  • Yearly Bonus
  • Premium-Free Pension
  • 30 Days of Annual Leave
  • Option to Purchase Additional Annual Leave
  • Monthly Healthcare Allowance
  • Gym Membership Discount
  • Nutrition, Physical Health, and Mental Health Initiatives
  • Learning and Development Opportunities

About Danone

Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Company size: 10,001+ employees

Danone is a global leader in the food and beverage industry, operating in three fast-growing, health-focused categories: Essential Dairy & Plant-Based, Waters, and Specialized Nutrition. True to its mission—bringing health through food to as many people as possible—Danone promotes healthier and more sustainable eating habits, while striving to deliver measurable impact across nutritional, social, societal, and environmental dimensions. In 2026, Danone continues the rollout of the second chapter of its Renew strategy, aimed at strengthening its competitiveness, accelerating its transformation, and creating sustainable value. With 90,000 employees and a presence in over 120 markets, Danone generated €27.283 billion in revenue in 2025, reflecting solid growth driven by a positive volume/mix globally. Its portfolio includes iconic international brands—Actimel, Activia, Alpro, Aptamil, Danette, Danonino, evian, Volvic, Nutricia, among others—as well as strong local and regional brands. Danone is listed on Euronext Paris and present on the OTCQX platform through an ADR program. Already included in numerous sustainability indexes, the Group reached a major milestone by becoming fully B Corp™ certified in 2025, underscoring its global commitment to a responsible business model. **Please note: all official Danone job opportunities are published on our Careers website: https://careers.danone.com/ Danone will never contact candidates using [email protected] email addresses. Please stay vigilant and never share personal information if you are unsure of the source.

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