The Bel Group is a major player in the food industry through portions of dairy, fruit and plant-based products, and one of the world leaders in branded cheeses. Its portfolio of differentiated and internationally recognized brands includes The Laughing Cow®, Kiri®, Babybel®, Boursin® Nurishh®, Pom'Potes® and GoGo squeeZ®, as well as some 30 local brands. Together, these brands helped the Group generate sales of €3.74 billion in 2024.

Do you want to join a company with strong brands that puts consumers and responsibility at the heart of the decision-making process? Then Bel is made for you!

Are you bold, pragmatic, and determined? Do you want to contribute to the transformation of an international agri-food company? Them come join us and measure the impact of your talent and energy in realizing an ambitious and sustainable company project!

#IWorkForAllForGood

Location and starting date:

Permanent contract - starting date: April 2026.

The position is based within the RID team in Lons Le Saunier (39).

Job Description Summary

Bel Group is looking for a Development Project Manager to join THE LAUGHING COW® (VACHE QUI RIT) Development Platform.

Reporting to the THE LAUGHING COW® Development Platform, the Development Project Manager is responsible for developing products and/or processes for Innovation, Renovation, and Productivity projects-from conception through to industrialization at the production site for THE LAUGHING COW brand.

Mains Missions & Responsibilities

• Managing projects autonomously and contributing to other projects, within which the Development Project Manager is responsible for their own activities.
• Developing products, applying technical expertise and analytical skills to guide, prioritize, and decide on the most relevant technical solutions for the project, based on the project brief and in compliance with requirements related to quality, cost, user centricity, and time to market.
• Mobilizing the necessary expertise (product, process, packaging, engineering, operations, quality, regulatory, CSR, purchasing, etc.) and resources (new equipment, pilot tests, R&D lab characterization) to achieve project objectives and understand processes and products.
• Co-constructing with internal and external partners, challenging the adopted technical solutions, and proposing relevant alternatives and directions.
• Organizing and leading field trials with local teams (Bel factories or subcontractors).
• Defining trial protocols, overseeing their application, and making recommendations for industrial implementation to validate the technical solutions developed.
• Following Bel Group's development process, from conception to industrialization, and feeding information into the internal project management database.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Food Engineer's degree and/or equivalent experience required.
• 5 years of experience in product development or production, ideally in Cheese technology and/or Dairy industry.

• Knowledge in food science, food microbiology, and food technology.
• Experience in end-to-end project management, from ideation to first production, both in terms of methodologies, planning, risk analysis, agility.

• Autonomous leadership skills driving for results.
• Ability to work in collaborative way and engage, simplify, and align multi-functional teams to lead to decisions and actions.
• International background / experience working for a Global company is a plus.

• Good communication (verbal, listening, and written) and interpersonal skills are necessary, including presentation skills for presenting to an international audience.

• Open mindset and a positive spirit of collaboration.
• French and English fluent

You are recognized for your creativity, your connection to an external ecosystem, your passion for new processes, and your experience with user-centric methodologies.

Dynamic and enthusiastic, you are passionate about innovation and the world of cheesemaking.

Some travels may be expected, nationally and internationally to factories, BEL's headquarter (Suresnes / France) depending on the projects scopes.

If you think that this job is for you, please click now on the button "Apply". The recruitment team of your site will contact you very soon.

If you think that this job is for you, please click now on the button "Apply". The recruitment team of your site will contact you very soon.