Product Development Support
Ardo supplies its continuously growing markets around the world with high quality fresh frozen vegetables, herbs, and fruit with 3,200 employees and 16 production, packing & distribution sites in 7 different countries. The family business sells in more than 100 countries and has a turnover of more than 1.4 billion euros. The proximity of our factories to our crops is one of our key strengths and ensures that only minutes are lost between harvest and locking in the product’s natural goodness in our freezers.
Ardo's purpose is to preserve nature’s gifts for future generations by providing fresh frozen, plant-based food while minimising our impact on the planet. Ardo achieves this goal thanks to an integrated network of growing areas, production units, freezing units, packaging equipment,logistics and stringent quality control. The group's know-how and flexible structure ensure that it can respond quickly to the newest trends and that innovative products can be brought onto the market quickly.
Here’s what you’ll do:
You will support the New Product Development (NPD) team throughout the full product development process. You coordinate samples, manage product specifications, and closely monitor quality validations. In addition, you ensure efficient administrative organization and facilitate smooth collaboration between cross-functional teams, including NPD, QA, Sales, Marketing, Procurement, and Operations. Thanks to your structured approach and strong communication skills, processes run efficiently and transparently.
Your responsibilities:
1. Coordinate NPD product samples across sites, including ordering, shipment, and administration
2. Organize tastings, benchmark sessions, customer visits, and external demos
3. Support product developers and R&D with trials, sample preparation, and kitchen activities
4. Optimize sample workflows and act as backup for the sample department
5. Assist Sales and Marketing with product demos, launches, and customer requests
6. Manage product specifications and support QA with validations and cooking instructions
7. Contribute to line trials, product transfers, and follow-up reporting across sites
8. Act as a key link between NPD and departments such as Sales, QA, Procurement, and Operations
9. Support sourcing activities and translate customer needs into NPD actions
10. Assist in organizing NPD meetings, innovation events, and internal presentations
11. Maintain an organized and efficient NPD workspace (kitchen, stock, materials)
This is where you recognize yourself:
12. You hold a bachelor’s degree in a food-related field or have built equivalent expertise through hands-on experience
13. You bring at least 5 years of experience in a similar NPD role within the food industry, giving you a solid foundation to hit the ground running
14. You have a strong passion for food and product development, and you are driven by innovation and quality
15. You understand quality systems and are confident in supporting QA-related specification processes
16. You communicate fluently in English and French; knowledge of another European language is a strong plus
17. You are open to occasional travel (5–10%) across different sites within the group, enjoying collaboration in an international environment
18. You are a proactive, hands-on professional who takes ownership and enjoys solving challenges
19. You naturally connect with people across teams and thrive in a dynamic, cross-functional setting
20. You are confident using common software tools and ERP systems to keep processes running smoothly
21. You combine strong organizational skills with a continuous improvement mindset, always looking for better ways of working
22. Experience with food legislation is an asset and supports your ability to work in a regulated environment
23. You stay curious and up to date with the latest trends in the food and food service industry, turning insights into opportunities
What’s in it for you?
We offer you the opportunity to be part of an authentic and sustainable international company, with real growth opportunities and the freedom to actively participate in shaping the business and the opportunity to develop professionally.
You will receive a full remuneration package in line with the level of this position. We care for our people and create family-friendly surroundings by offering flexibility work arrangements.