2026 Graduate - Junior Product Application Specialist for F&B

Company Description

Veolia is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specializing in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonization, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation. Within this framework, Water Tech brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world’s most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy. Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.

VEOLIA GRADUATE PROGRAM 2026
Graduate Junior Product Application Specialist for F&B
Location: Heverlee, Belgium
Required: Degree in Science, Engineering, Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field
Application Deadline: 19th April 2026
Salary : €47328 annual gross
Note : the term 'Graduate 2026' refers to our program, not the year you are expected to have graduated.

Veolia are ready to launch our Graduate Recruitment Campaign for 2026!
You will join us between July and October 2026 and complete our 1-year fully immersive graduate programme. This structured development journey leads to exciting long-term career opportunities across our global operations. 
This is a permanent position from day one, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to our graduates' long-term success and development. We believe in investing in our future leaders by offering permanent contracts rather than fixed-term positions, providing our graduates with job security and peace of mind from the start. This approach allows you to fully focus on your development and career growth.
Towards the end of the 12-month graduate program, we conduct comprehensive career conversations with each graduate to explore their strengths, interests, and aspirations. This discussion helps determine the most suitable career path within our company. Our commitment to permanent employment reflects our confidence in our graduate program and our dedication to nurturing long-term talent. It also demonstrates our strong track record of graduate retention and career progression within Veolia.

We pride ourselves on our positive and inclusive culture that emphasises equality and collaboration rather than focusing on hierarchy. At Veolia, our employees' diverse perspectives are encouraged and valued. Joining us means you will participate in our thriving DEI communities and related initiatives.
Veolia has a meaningful purpose where you'll be part of something bigger than just a job; you'll be part of a network driving ecological transformation and making a meaningful impact on society and the environment through our work.
Our Graduate Program is our commitment to developing talented employees through:
Structured training on both essential and technical skills
Networking opportunities
A dedicated support network of a Program Leader, Line Manager, Mentor, Coach, and HR Manager
Experiential learning, delivered on a monthly basis
For times in-person workshops at key locations at our operations across Europe
A Sustainability Challenge to develop your entrepreneurial skills
Regular reviews with your support network - and a great chance for feedback

As a Graduate Junior Product Application Specialist for F&B, you will provide critical technical support to the European Food & Beverage technical team, operating primarily from our European Technology Center of Excellence in Heverlee, Belgium. You'll conduct laboratory experiments simulating real-world conditions to demonstrate the effectiveness of our water treatment solutions. This dynamic role involves applying Veolia's technologies within beverage, starch, sugar, ethanol, and dairy sectors, supporting sales initiatives and enhancing customer engagement across Europe.

Day-to-Day Duties and learnings:
• Execute controlled laboratory assessments replicating customer plant conditions
• Support field trials and treatment start-ups by establishing KPIs and monitoring protocols at customer sites across Europe
• Provide dedicated application support during the implementation process of new applications to reduce SME workload
• Bridge the gap between sales/field operations and technical expertise through close collaboration
• Contribute to internal training programs for field personnel on food process applications
• Support the development of digital monitoring and control solutions for the F&B industry
• Demonstrate the effectiveness of technology solutions to support sales initiatives and customer engagement
• Travel to customer sites across Europe for trials and start-up of critical treatments

Qualifications

Ideal Skills and Experience:
• Degree in Science, Engineering, Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field (essential)
• Fluent in English, and Dutch
• Other European languages are useful, especially French
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Understanding of laboratory/QC procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and customer-focused
• Proficiency in Google Workspace or similar platforms
• Willingness to travel within the EU for field support and training
• Previous experience in food processing or beverage manufacturing environments, or relevant graduate field work

Additional Information

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.