Freelance Interim Executive Assistant R&D (ZZP)

Do you share our deep belief that plant based nutrition is the future? Are you structured and is organizing your second nature? As a Executive Assistant to the Chief of R&D, it is your duty and mission to be the extension of our Leadership team in Research & Development, clearing the path to help them focus on the critical pieces and to drive Upfield Research & Development forward.

• Location: Wageningen 

• Hybrid 

About the position:

You will be the backbone to our leadership team in R&D. This role is a great opportunity for you to learn and evolve. You will receive mentorship, guidance and support and you will be expected to aid in the company's top priorities.

What are the key objectives / projects you will deliver? 

• Task and Time Management- You will assist the Chief R&D Officer and R&D directors with daily administrative duties. Record all tasks assigned and committed to in meetings and emails, prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, consistently stay up to date and communicate priorities and urgency effectively. Provide secretarial services in meetings, coordinate the agenda, prepare materials and follow up on assigned action items. Maintain physical and electronic files, arrange logistics for events, visitors, organize conferences, manage expense reports.  

• Calendar Management – You will manage the Chief R&D Officer’s time with confidence and sound judgement, maintain and update schedule amid rapid changes and competing priorities and ensure all meetings / travel plans are set up for success.  

• Communication – You will serve as the primary point of contact between executives and internal/external clients, including global Upfield teams. Act as a liaison, both internally and externally, always maintaining a sense of professionalism and collaboration and ensuring tasks are completed seamlessly.  

• Prepare, organize, track and route high priority documents, reports and presentations – You will review all materials for Chief R&D Officer approval (e.g. contracts, agreements, purchase and payment orders) to ensure completeness, use of accurate forms, proper formatting and compliance with all policies, processes and representation authorizations.  

• Special projects – You will make things move quickly and pop up regularly at Upfield. Oversee special projects and perform tasks as assigned.  

In addition, you will provide selected support to some of the R&D directors in their daily admin (financial) duties, calendar management and support in team meetings. Here you closely work together with the team management assistant that provides support to the other R&D directors. 

So, what does it take to be successful in this role? 

• You have at least 3-6 years of experience in similar position(s) in a fast-paced business environment. 

• You are highly proficient in Microsoft Suite (i.e. advanced features of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 

• Please add a motivation where you clarify these hard requierements.