About Barilla

At Barilla, we believe that every great journey begins with passion and a bold vision. From our humble beginnings in 1877 in a small shop in Parma, Italy, we’ve blossomed into a global leader in the food industry, guided by our commitment to progress and excellence.

Today, Barilla is an international group present in more than 100 countries and we are proud to be recognized as the world’s top food company by reputation. With 22 beloved brands in our portfolio, we are world leader for pasta, the number one choice for ready-made sauces in Europe, leader for bakery products in Italy, and for crispbread across Scandinavia with Wasa.

Our success story is written by a passionate team of almost 9,000 dedicated employees across 30 plants and offices worldwide, all united by a shared mission to nourish the future with purpose and passion.

Are you ready to add your unique flavor to our journey?

We are looking for a Global Innovation Platforms Principal Technologist, to join our Global Discovery Center team. The role will report to the Head of Global Innovation Platforms and will be based in Parma (Italy).

The Job

Senior technical leader, accountable for shaping and delivering Discovery Platforms and Innovation projects that build differentiated scientific and technological advantage for Barilla. Discovery Platforms are designed to build new know-how that fuels long-term category innovation (NEW) and creates new pipelines of transformative innovation opportunities (NEXT). Operating with a high degree of autonomy and influence, the role leads cross-functional and external project teams from opportunity framing and concept co-creation through prototyping, consumer test & learn, pilot scaling, scale-up strategy and protection of know-how

Main responsibilities

Shape and lead Discovery Platforms and Translate know-how into NEW and NEXT innovation pathways:

• Define and lead assigned Discovery Platforms with the primary purpose of building differentiated scientific and technological know-how that can fuel Barilla's long-term innovation agenda across two complementary horizons: category innovation (NEW) and new transformative innovation pipelines (NEXT).
• Continuously assess the external landscape and incorporate relevant scientific advances, consumer shifts and cross-industry technologies into the programme direction.
• Act as technical reference and thought partner for senior stakeholders, providing clear recommendations on opportunities, risks, trade-offs and next steps.
• Translate selected know-how into transformative opportunity spaces and NEXT innovation pipelines, or ensure handover to category teams when there is a clear fit with their long-term strategies.

Lead NEXT Transformative innovation projects from concept co-creation to scale-up:

• Lead transformative NEXT projects once relevant Discovery know-how has been selected for progression, ensuring continuity from opportunity framing through development and validation.
• Co-create concepts with the relevant internal stakeholders, including Design Thinking, LTTI Marketing and Analytics & Insights teams, integrating consumer understanding, business ambition and technical opportunity into a coherent innovation proposition.
• Define and lead the technical learning plan across iterative prototyping, consumer test & learn, pilot scaling and scale-up, progressively reducing uncertainty on desirability, feasibility, scalability and strategic fit.
• Coordinate cross-functional project teams and external partners, define milestones and decision criteria, and make evidence-based recommendations on progression, pivoting or stopping.
• Maintain ownership of the technical proposition and learning journey through the early innovation phases, ensuring an effective transition to the appropriate receiving organisation for industrialisation and launch.

Lead prototyping and experimental product/process development:

• Translate emerging know-how and concepts into tangible prototypes and experimental solutions suitable for technical and consumer learning.
• Design and oversee robust experimental plans, including formulation, process trials, analytical and sensory assessment, data interpretation and iterative learning cycles.
• Work closely with the internal technician pool and pilot-plant resources to plan and execute prototypes and trials, ensuring quality of execution, traceability of data and compliance with safety, food-grade and confidentiality requirements.
• Identify and coordinate the external capabilities required for rapid and fit-for-purpose prototyping, including co-packers, service providers, suppliers, technology providers and specialised development partners.
• Select the most appropriate prototyping route for each learning objective, balancing speed, representativeness, cost and scalability, and ensure that prototypes are suitable for consumer test & learn and subsequent pilot progression.

Build and govern the external innovation ecosystem:

• Identify, assess and engage universities, research centres, startups, suppliers, technology providers, consortia and specialised experts able to create differentiated value for Barilla.
• Design fit-for-purpose collaboration models, scopes of work and governance mechanisms, ensuring clear deliverables, milestones, roles and decision rights.
• Lead or coordinate Barilla participation in national and international research programmes, including EU-funded projects and scientific or industry advisory boards.
• Support technical due diligence of external technologies and ventures, while maintaining an independent and evidence-based perspective on maturity and relevance.
• Select the most appropriate prototyping route for each learning objective, balancing speed, representativeness, cost and scalability, and ensure that prototypes are suitable for consumer test & learn and subsequent pilot progression.

Protect and transfer scientific and technical know-how:

• Identify potentially protectable results and work with Legal/IP and patent attorneys on invention assessment, patent drafting, ownership and confidentiality strategies.
• Ensure appropriate use of NDAs, MTAs and collaboration agreements and proactively manage risks related to background IP, foreground IP and publication.
• Create high-quality technical documentation, decision records and knowledge-transfer packages that enable reproducibility and effective handover.

Requirements

• Masters’ Degree in Food Science & Technology, Biology, Biotechnology or equivalent
• 7+ years of experience in RD&Q, with significant hands-on experience in food product and/or process development (e.g., Product Development, Process Development, Innovation).
• Experience in Bakery, Meal Solutions, or Snacking is strongly preferred. A broad RD&Q experience across multiple food categories will be considered a plus.
• Solid technical background and hands-on experience in product and/or process development will be considered mandatory, while experience in Consumer Innovation can be a valuable addition.
• Creative thinking and growth mindset
• Strong project management skills
• Good business acumen
• Insightful and influential, with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• International mindset. International working or studying experience would be considered a plus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to effectively interact in a cross-functional environment/at all levels of the organization/with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborative approach, inclusive and proactive attitude
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken

Compensation package

• The gross annual base salary (RAL) offered will be no less than € 55.000, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL Industria Alimentare).
• The Company is committed to offering a competitive compensation package and, following the selection process, may propose a final gross annual base salary above the stated level, commensurate with the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.
• The position's compensation package also includes a variable component and a competitive welfare and benefits offer. Further details will be provided at a later stage and will be subject to the applicable Company policies.

Barilla is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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