About Tereos 
With a long-term vision of valuing agricultural raw materials and developing quality products for the food, health and renewable energy sectors, Tereos is a leader in the sugar, alcohol and starch markets. The Group’s commitments to society and the environment contribute to the company’s performance in the long term while strengthening its contribution as a responsible player. The Tereos cooperative group, a union of 11,200 cooperative members, has a recognized knowhow in the processing of beet, sugarcane, cereals, alfalfa, and potatoes. Through 43 industrial sites, a presence in 15 countries and the commitment of its 15 800 employees, Tereos supports its customers close to their markets with a broad and complementary range of products. In 2022/23, the Group posted €6,6 bn turnover. 

 Contract : CDI
 Position location : Buchtstraat 10, Aalst 9300 BEL

Team : Innovation, Process and New Product Development
Reporting to : Innovation Team Leader (sweeteners and carbohydrates)

We are seeking a skilled Product & Process Innovation Engineer to join our R&D team at the Tereos Corporate Technology Center. To strengthen our sweeteners and carbohydrates development team, we are looking for a Downstream Process Innovation Engineer to lead R&D activities in support of our industrial plants and to contribute to the execution of the innovation projects for product and process development, at lab and pilot scale. You will also lead technology scouting and ecosystem mapping activities in your area of expertise – refining and downstream processing – to drive a long term technology strategy.

 Your missions :

• Support the R&D team in attaining short-term and long-term development goals
• Develop/improve product and processes : use of research capabilities and know-how to develop new products and improve existing products and processes at our industrial sites
• Execute research : prototype development; product characterization; laboratory, pilot and industrial trials
• Build expertise : review scientific literature and patent publications, connect with external expert network, participate to conferences
• Build expertise related to downstream processes in general and to water and wastewater treatment in particular; by the usage of membrane processes, adsorption and other relevant technologies
• Support the plants with continuous optimization projects (productivity, yield, energy, water…)
• Contribute or manage innovation related projects from lab scale, pilot scale through pre-engineering and commissioning; design, conceptualise and perform pilot trials, as well assist production tests on site
• Prepare the pre-engineering study – including process modelling, design and technology, cost - prior to hand-over of projects to the capex and engineering team
• Act as a team member or project leader in (cross)department projects
• Contribute to the R&D roadmap process : brainstorming and ideation, stage gate project meetings, reporting, as well to feed the R&D technology roadmap process, technology assessment
• Plan and follow up the work of lab technicians
• Execute lab and pilot safety audits, review SOP management and contribute to the implementation of good lab management practices and 5S standards

Your profile :

• Master degree in Bio-Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering (or comparable) with relevant industry experience, preferably in the food or biotransformation industry, water treatment on downstream processes
• Knowledge and hands-on experience in process development and troubleshooting for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or reverse osmosis technologies
• Familiar with refining and purification technologies, in particular Ion exchange and activated carbon techniques for water and syrup treatment
• Experience with process technology in general : physical separation technologies (separation, purification, dewatering), thermal operations (evaporation, drying), and bioconversion technologies. As well on process upscaling : from lab to pilot scale
• Knowledge and experience on data acquisition and recording, especially in Excel or similar software tools
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, flexible and capable in setting priorities
• Critical analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, results oriented
• Ability to constructively interact with colleagues from a wide variety of roles within the company
• Team player, proactive mindset, a sense of urgency, and an ability to work and manage multiple projects independently

The position is based in Aalst, Belgium, where the Tereos Corporate Technology Center is located. Traveling to the Tereos Campus Europe in France, the production sites and the external partners is needed. 

Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Knowledge of Dutch and French is a plus.

 Reasons to join us :

Joining Tereos means giving yourself the opportunity to develop within a cooperative group that is a leader in its markets. It is also the opportunity to undertake in a collaborative and meaningful environment in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow in terms of food, energy and health through the valorisation of plant raw materials. We ensure personal and collective development through our initiatives to promote quality of life at work and personal and professional life balance. Convinced of the richness of diversity, an essential component of our growth, we are committed to parity and the development of an inclusive corporate culture where everyone can bring their authenticity and particularities to work.