Jobs / operations
Junior Innovation Project Manager
Beyond Meat · Amsterdam
About the role
Beyond Meat, Inc., otherwise known as Beyond The Plant Protein Company™, is a plant protein company offering a portfolio of plant-based products made from simple ingredients without GMOs, no added hormones or antibiotics, and 0mg of cholesterol per serving. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat’s core products are designed to have the same taste and texture as animal-based meat while being better for people and the planet.
The Company’s brand promise, Eat What You Love®, represents a strong belief that there is a better way to feed our future and that the positive choices we all make, no matter how small, can have a great impact on our personal health and the health of our planet. By shifting from animal-based protein to plant-based protein, we can positively impact four growing global issues: human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources and animal welfare.
Job Description
The Junior Innovation Project Manager supports the execution of Beyond Meat’s EMEA innovation and renovation pipeline, taking responsibility for selected projects and workstreams from approved concepts through commercialization and launch.
Working closely with the Senior Product Innovation Manager, this role turns agreed priorities and product concepts into clear project plans and drives the day-to-day cross-functional execution needed to bring them to market.
This is a hands-on project management role with meaningful responsibility and exposure across the innovation process. It is well suited to someone who has gained initial experience within FMCG, food, innovation, NPD or commercialization and is ready to build their experience, gradually take greater ownership of projects and further develop their innovation capabilities.
Key relationships
EMEA organization: Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Finance
External: Co-manufacturers, suppliers and development partners
Core Responsibilities
1. Innovation Project Execution (EMEA)
Support and progressively take ownership of selected EMEA innovation and renovation projects from approved concept through launch
Translate agreed project objectives into clear plans, timelines, milestones and actions
Coordinate day-to-day project execution and ensure actions and deliverables are completed
Keep projects moving and proactively identify delays, risks and dependencies
Support launch readiness and project handover
2. Cross-Functional Coordination
Coordinate day-to-day activities across R&D, Marketing, Commercial, Operations, Quality, Regulatory and Supply Chain
Organize and facilitate project meetings
Ensure clarity around actions, responsibilities and timelines
Follow up with stakeholders and proactively address gaps or delays
Identify and escalate decisions, risks and trade-offs when appropriate.
3. Product Development & Commercialization Support
Support the development and commercialization of new products and renovations
Coordinate product trials, validations and commercialization activities with relevant functions
Support development of product, packaging and commercial inputs
Help ensure product solutions meet agreed consumer, commercial and operational requirements
Develop a strong practical understanding of the end-to-end product development and commercialization process
4. Project Management & Ways of Working
Maintain clear project plans, milestone trackers and project documentation
Track risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies
Provide concise and structured project updates
Support effective use of project management and stage-gate processes
Contribute to identifying opportunities to improve project execution and ways of working.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Food Science, Marketing, Engineering or a related field
1–2 years of relevant experience, preferably within food, FMCG/CPG, innovation, NPD, commercialization or project management. Relevant internship or graduate experience can also be considered.
Some exposure to coordinating cross-functional projects or workstreams is preferred.
Understanding of the product development or commercialization process is preferred
Experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment is an advantage
Comfortable working with project planning and standard business tools
Key Skills
Structured, organized and execution-focused
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Able to bring structure and momentum to projects
Curious and eager to develop within innovation and product development
Proactive and comfortable taking responsibility and growing into greater ownership
Able to manage several priorities simultaneously
Pragmatic problem-solver with a hands-on mindset
Comfortable asking questions and escalating when support or decisions are needed
Role Scope
The Junior Innovation Project Manager has meaningful responsibility for project execution and will progressively take greater ownership while working within the strategic direction and innovation pipeline established by the Senior Product Innovation Manager.
Development Opportunity
The role provides broad exposure to the EMEA innovation process and the opportunity to build experience across product development, commercialization, cross-functional leadership and project management.
For a strong performer, the role is designed to grow over time, with increasing ownership of projects and broader exposure to innovation and product development as capability develops.
**Annual salary commensurate with experience**
The starting annual base pay for this role is between € 40.000 - €50.000. The actual base is dependent upon many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. The role may also be eligible for bonus, long-term incentives, as well as benefits.
Beyond The Plant Protein Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, gender identify, sexual orientation, national origin, liability for military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. Beyond Meat reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.
For all U.S. based roles: Applicants must be authorized to work for a U.S. employer. E-Verify is used to validate employment eligibility. This role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship at this time.