MCO Health BV (part of the Nestlé group) is a leading player in the field of nutritional supplements and is active in the Netherlands with advisory brands such as Orthica and AOV. MCO is part of the Swiss Nestlé Health Science. MCO's mission is to ensure optimal human health. Our commitment to good health means more than just offering some of the most effective nutritional products. We want to help people become as healthy as possible. We do this together with our team of 120 employees, based in Almere, all of whom have an affinity with good nutrition and/or a healthy lifestyle.
The Ingredient Specialist drives the end-to-end management and qualification of ingredients across the VMS portfolio, ensuring new and existing ingredients are successfully implemented, compliant, and fit for manufacturing. This role supports innovation, cost, maintenance, and compliance initiatives by leading ingredient qualification, managing specifications and documentation, and collaborating cross-functionally with QA, Procurement, Regulatory, and other stakeholders. Serving as a key technical resource and primary contact for assigned product formats, the specialist assesses risk, resolves issues, and partners with suppliers to enable reliable ingredient supply. Through these activities, the role ensures high-quality, safe, and compliant finished products while supporting efficient operations.
As a Ingredient Specialist, your responsibilities include:
Ingredient Qualification & Portfolio Management
Leads ingredient and vendor site qualification for renovation, business maintenance, cost, and compliance projects
Delivers assigned RACI responsibilities in projects and manages ingredient portfolio projects
Develops and aligns raw material purchasing specifications (RMPS) and market requirements (MR) with vendors
Creates and maintains SAP material numbers, specifications, and inspection plan inputs
Manages ingredient documentation, including collection, review, storage, and database maintenance
Defines and executes qualification testing plans, including sample coordination, lab testing, and result approval
Support to Producing Site(s)
Identifies and resolves ingredient, vendor, and operational issues, including recurring specification concerns
Provides exceptional release support and recommends mitigation actions based on risk
Supports supplier monitoring plans and communicates risk assessments for HACCP inputs
Implements RMPS and supports SAP integration activities
Compliance & Process Support
Manages mitigation and closure of conditional approvals and derogations
Develops and maintains SOPs and work instructions
Supports ingredient lifecycle activities, including discontinuations, global initiatives, and specification approvals
We expect the following from an Ingredient Specialist:
At least a Master's degree or engineering degree in Food Sciences or related field
3+ years of operational experience in production, QA, product development, or project management
Multilingual: English required, plus French, Spanish, or German
Proficiency in SAP, formulation/specification systems, and standard tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Strong analytical skills, pragmatic, autonomous, and proactive
Good communication skills and experience with coaching/teaching
Experience with continuous improvement methods
As an Ingredient Specialist, you report to the Application Group Lead for the category and are part of the Operation department of MCO Health BV.
What can you expect from us:
A position in an informal organisation with enthusiastic colleagues;
A role in a growing organisation where there is room for your own initiative;
A market-based salary
Respect is central to the culture at Nestlé, and an important part of this is space for differences. Differences among the people who buy our products and those who work with us. We believe it is important that everyone feels welcome and at home at Nestlé, regardless of your gender, faith, cultural background, age, disability, or who you love. We are convinced that diversity leads to more creativity and innovation and helps our organisation move forward. That's why we actively work towards a culture and leadership that offers equal opportunities for everyone!
Questions? Our recruiters are ready to answer your questions. Send your question to:
Apply now! You can! If your profile matches the vacancy description, we look forward to receiving your CV and motivation letter.
We use an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool to schedule interviews with our candidates. So keep an eye on your email for the interview invitation! When registering your application, you will be asked if we may send you whatsapp messages; if you answer 'yes' to this, you will receive communication via whatsapp in addition to messages via email. Communication through our AI tool is in English, but our recruiters speak both English and Dutch.
Interim CV's will not be processed.