Product Development Manager (Netherlands)

Description

Cronos is an innovative global cannabinoid company committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology, and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos’ diverse international brand portfolio includes Spinach®, PEACE NATURALS® and Lord Jones®. For more information about Cronos and its brands, please visit: https://thecronosgroup.com/.

At Cronos Group, we hire talented people who thrive on solving difficult problems and give them the opportunity to hone new skills and approaches. If you want to play a part in shaping an innovative industry and help build a historically significant company, we want to meet you.

The Manager, Product Development - Netherlands will lead the local implementation, adaptation, and validation of products and processes transferred from Cronos Group’s Canadian R&D Center of Excellence to Netherlands operations.

This role executes approved product localization and technology-transfer projects with local Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and global R&D teams, within established global priorities and Netherlands regulatory and operational requirements.

The Manager, Product Development will also plan, execute, and analyze Netherlands sensory sessions with the PD Technician and the local Marketing lead, using methods and standards established by global Sensory Sciences.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Product Development, the Manager, Product Development will lead and develop the Netherlands PD Technician and own local delivery of R&D priorities, partnering closely with Canadian R&D and local cross-functional teams.The successful candidate is a hands-on technical lead with strong project execution and cross-functional coordination skills, and has experience translating established technologies into locally deployable products and processes.

This position is based out of Hellevoetsluis, South Holland, Netherlands.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development Coordination and R&D Integration

• Own the execution of approved product development and technology-transfer projects in the Netherlands, in line with priorities set by global R&D leadership.
• Serve as the local technical contact between the Canadian R&D Center of Excellence and Netherlands operations for technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and local adaptation.
• Build and maintain local project plans (activities, timelines, resource needs, and technical dependencies), and coordinate with Operations, Quality, and Engineering to deliver agreed milestones.
• Lead local cross-functional project meetings. Report progress, risks, and technical issues to global R&D, and escalate any decision outside approved scope or technical standards.Drive deployment of global R&D outputs locally in partnership with Netherlands operational teams.

Technology Transfer & Local Adaptation

• Assess transferred formulations, specifications, and process requirements against Netherlands equipment, materials, capabilities, and regulatory requirements, working with Operations, Quality, and Regulatory. Identify gaps, recommend adaptations to global R&D, and implement approved changes.
• Plan and execute pilot and scale-up trials within approved scope, covering objectives, process parameters, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria, with Canadian R&D, Operations, Engineering, and Quality.
• Lead process validation with Operations and Quality, and prepare documentation, SOPs, and development reports for global R&D review and approval.
• Investigate product and process issues during transfer and scale-up. Analyze trial data, recommend corrective actions, and verify that approved changes are effective.
• Compile launch-readiness packages (trial results, specifications, process instructions, and training records) and flag unresolved technical gaps for cross-functional review before commercial implementation.
• Own the delivery of local technical training for Operations personnel on transferred products and processes, using materials developed with Canadian R&D and the relevant site functions.

Sensory Sciences

• Plan, execute, and analyze Netherlands sensory sessions together with the PD Technician and the local Marketing lead, using the methods, protocols, and standards set by global Sensory Sciences.
• Manage session logistics, including panelist recruitment and scheduling, sample preparation, and engagement of third-party vendors or external sensory sites where needed.
• Support the PD Technician’s sensory work (sample preparation, session setup, and data capture) to keep data quality high and stay within protocol.
• Lead panel screening and training, delivered with global Sensory Sciences.
• Report results to global Sensory Sciences and local stakeholders. Turn findings into recommendations for product adaptation, quality improvement, and competitive benchmarking.
• Work with Marketing on consumer and competitive studies by contributing study design input and interpreting product performance, so that technical and consumer findings are aligned.

Documentation, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Apply global R&D processes and standards locally (tech-dev plans, product specs, stability programs, formulation templates), and flag where Netherlands regulatory or operational requirements call for adaptation.
• Maintain documentation that supports audits, inspections, and technology-transfer packages.
• Track post-launch product performance in the Netherlands and report findings to global R&D to inform product and process improvements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and develop the Netherlands Product Development Technician, including day-to-day work direction, performance input, and technical training.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• 4-6 years of progressive R&D or technical experience, including project lead responsibility, ideally within cannabis, pharmaceuticals, or regulated CPG.
• Hands-on experience with product or process technology transfer, scale-up, or CPG product development.
• Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to represent local R&D within a global matrixed organization.
• Experience working in regulated environments (controlled substances, pharmaceuticals, or food-grade manufacturing).
• Experience planning or running sensory evaluation (descriptive, discrimination, or consumer testing) is an asset.
• Supervisory experience is an asset.
• Fluent English required; Dutch is an asset.

Working Conditions

• Full-time on-site presence in the Netherlands.
• Occasional travel to Canadian and other international Cronos sites. Travel Requirements, as this role requires occasional international travel. Candidates must be legally eligible for travel as required for project support, team collaboration, and professional development.
• Must comply with all cannabis handling and safety procedures, including PPE usage.

Additional Information

This position plays a pivotal role in realizing the Cronos Group’s innovation and localization strategy by aligning global R&D excellence with regional market and regulatory realities.

Cronos may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools provided by third-party service providers to assist our recruitment team in reviewing applications and assessing the alignment between candidates’ qualifications, skills and experience and the requirements of a position. These tools analyze information contained in applications and resumes and generate recommendations to assist our recruitment team. AI-generated assessments are intended to support, rather than replace, human evaluation, and recruitment decisions remain subject to meaningful human oversight.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, and we welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities and people with diverse backgrounds, identities, and cultures. For candidates with disabilities, accommodations are available upon request in all phases of the selection process.