Pilot Plant Assistant
Work on innovation that tastes good.
For AAK in Zaandijk, procestechniek.nl is looking for a Pilot Plant Assistant who enjoys hands-on work in an innovative food environment. In this role, you will support the daily activities in the pilot plant, where new dairy and plant-based dairy products are tested and improved.
You will help with product trials, make sure materials and equipment are ready, and keep the working environment clean, safe, and well organized. This means you directly contribute to products that are used worldwide in chocolate, croissants, dairy alternatives, and other food products.
Geplaatst op 6 juli 2026
Your role
As a Pilot Plant Assistant, you will work in AAK’s Applied Innovation team. You will support the Pilot Plant Technologist and make sure product tests run smoothly, safely, and according to fixed procedures. This gives you structure, clarity, and plenty of variety in your work.
Your tasks will include:
- Preparing equipment, raw materials, packaging materials, and workspaces for planned product trials.
- Supporting the execution of trials according to fixed trial plans, SOPs, and quality guidelines.
- Operating pilot plant equipment once you have been trained and authorized.
- Performing simple analyses using validated methods.
- Cleaning and keeping the pilot plant tidy according to applicable procedures.
- Checking and replenishing stocks, such as raw materials, packaging materials, and consumables.
- Monitoring shelf life, storage conditions, and availability of materials.
- Supporting preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment.
- Working according to safety, hygiene, PRP, and HACCP guidelines.
- Identifying and reporting unsafe situations or deviations.
- Contributing ideas for improvements, for example in 5S, stock management, and work processes.
You will have a role where accuracy matters. At the same time, you will make a visible contribution to innovations that may become real products. That makes your impact tangible.
What we offer
In this role, you will work for a strong international company with more than 150 years of experience in plant-based oils and fats. You will join an innovation environment where quality, collaboration, and sustainability are key.
You can count on:
- A position at AAK in Zaandijk, a global specialist in plant-based oils.
- Work within an Applied Innovation team that contributes to new dairy and plant-based dairy applications.
- A practical role with plenty of variety across preparation, execution, analysis, cleaning, and stock management.
- A safe and structured working environment with clear procedures.
- The opportunity to gain experience with pilot plant equipment, product trials, and food safety.
- Working on products used in bakery, dairy, plant-based foods, chocolate, confectionery, and special nutrition.
- An international organization with more than 4,000 colleagues worldwide.
- An employer with 15 Customer Innovation Centers and more than 20 production locations.
- Salary depending on experience and education.
- Working hours: day shift.
- Hours per week: 40 hours.
Ready for a role where you turn innovation into practice? Apply easily via procestechniek.nl. You can also add your CV later.
What we ask
AAK is looking, through procestechniek.nl, for a practical and reliable colleague who enjoys working in a structured environment. You like following clear procedures and get energy from keeping the workplace clean, safe, and well organized.
You are a good fit for this role if you have:
- A completed MBO level 3 or 4 education in laboratory technology, food technology, process technology, or a similar field.
- Practical experience in a laboratory, pilot plant, or production environment. This is a plus.
- Basic knowledge of food safety and hygiene, such as HACCP and PRP.
- An accurate, hands-on, and reliable work attitude.
- The ability to follow procedures carefully and consistently.
- A proactive mindset when it comes to keeping the workplace tidy, safe, and organized.
- Flexibility to take on different operational tasks.
- Good communication skills and a team-oriented attitude.
- Good command of the English language.
- Command of the Dutch language is highly desirable.
About the company
AAK is an international specialist in plant-based oils and fats. The company has existed for more than 150 years and has its roots in Scandinavia. Today, more than 4,000 people worldwide work on ingredients that make products taste better, become healthier, and support more sustainable production.
AAK’s ingredients are used in products many people come across every day. Think of creamy chocolate, crunchy croissants, plant-based dairy alternatives, and applications within foodservice, personal care, and special nutrition.
What makes AAK strong is its combination of innovation, technical knowledge, and Customer Co-Development. This means the company works closely with customers to improve products in a targeted way. Through 15 Customer Innovation Centers, 25 regional sales offices, and more than 20 production locations, AAK works worldwide toward the same goal: Making Better Happen.
At the Zaandijk location, you will contribute to this development as a Pilot Plant Assistant. You will not only work with raw materials and equipment, but also with ideas that can grow into products with real impact.
Over Procestechniek
Procestechniek.nl zet zich al meer dan 15 jaar in voor de continuïteit in de procestechniek. Dit doen wij door bedrijven en technici met elkaar in contact te brengen, én anderen te enthousiasmeren en op te leiden voor het werken in de procestechniek.
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