Milieutechnoloog / Environmental Engineer

The core mission is to act as the site's environmental authority, ensuring that all operations comply with the Omgevingsvergunning and relevant Dutch and European environmental laws. You will be the first point of contact for regulatory bodies such as the Omgevingsdienst, municipalities and provinces, coordinating inspections and enforcement visits. A significant part of the role involves managing permit applications for environmental, construction and demolition activities, making sure they are submitted on time and align with project timelines. You will also own the environmental management system according to ISO 14001, supporting internal and external audits and driving continuous improvement. Monitoring environmental and energy performance is another key responsibility, as you help the factory meet its sustainability objectives. You will translate legislative changes into practical procedures and work instructions, and advise operational teams, project groups and management on compliance and environmental issues. Finally, you will initiate and support improvement projects that make the production environment safer, more sustainable and future-proof. This is a hands-on role that blends regulatory expertise, project coordination and cross-functional advisory work, with the overarching goal of keeping the site compliant while advancing its environmental performance.

This role offers deep exposure to Dutch and European environmental law in a real-world industrial context, far beyond what a classroom or consultancy can provide. You will likely become highly proficient in permit processes, regulatory interpretation and enforcement dynamics, building a rare specialisation that is in demand across the chemical, food and pharmaceutical sectors. Managing ISO 14001 at a large site will strengthen your auditing, systems-thinking and continuous-improvement skills. Working at IFF, a global leader in flavours and fragrances, also gives you insight into how a multinational balances local compliance with global sustainability strategy. You may have opportunities to participate in corporate sustainability initiatives, benchmark with other sites, and learn from experienced EHS professionals. The company's emphasis on professional development suggests access to training and mentorship, potentially including certifications in environmental management or auditing. On a personal level, the role hones your ability to influence without authority, manage complex stakeholder relationships and make pragmatic decisions under pressure, capabilities that are transferable to leadership positions in EHS, operations or sustainability.

The ideal candidate holds at least a bachelor's or master's degree in environmental science, chemical technology, chemistry or a related technical field, combined with a minimum of five years of relevant experience in an industrial production environment, chemical industry, consultancy or government. You should have demonstrable knowledge of Dutch and European environmental legislation and hands-on experience with permit processes and compliance management. Familiarity with ISO 14001 and internal/external audits is expected. Beyond technical expertise, you must be able to translate complex regulations into practical solutions that operational teams can implement. Excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English are essential, as you will interact with regulators, managers and shop-floor staff. The ability to work independently, stay structured and prioritise in a dynamic production setting is essential. Experience in the food, fragrance, pharmaceutical or chemical industry is a plus, as is a proactive, curious mindset that spots opportunities for continuous improvement. The strongest candidates will combine analytical rigour with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach and a genuine passion for sustainability and compliance.

To stand out for this role, tailor your CV to highlight specific experience with Dutch environmental permits, the Omgevingswet and ISO 14001. Quantify your achievements where possible, for example, permits secured, audits passed, or emission reductions achieved. Since IFF is a global company with a strong sustainability narrative, mention any projects where you linked compliance to broader environmental performance improvements. In your cover letter, demonstrate that you understand IFF's business (flavours, fragrances and food ingredients) and why environmental compliance is critical in that context. Show that you can speak both the language of regulators and the language of operations. If you have experience in the chemical, food or pharmaceutical industry, make that explicit, as it is listed as a plus. Prepare for interviews by reviewing IFF's sustainability reports and recent news. Be ready to discuss how you would handle a hypothetical permit delay or a regulatory inspection. Emphasise your bilingual proficiency in Dutch and English, your ability to work independently and your pragmatic approach to problem-solving. Finally, align your answers with IFF's values of inclusion and sustainable innovation, showing that you are not just a compliance expert but a genuine partner in the site's environmental journey.

The role sits squarely at the compliance and environmental management end of IFF's sustainability agenda. Your primary focus will be ensuring the Tilburg site adheres to its Omgevingsvergunning and broader Dutch and European environmental legislation, which covers emissions, waste, water and noise, the operational bedrock of any credible sustainability strategy. You will also manage the ISO 14001 system, which provides the framework for continuous environmental improvement and is often the backbone of corporate ESG reporting. Beyond compliance, you will monitor environmental and energy performance and contribute to the factory's sustainability targets. For IFF, a company that publicly commits to sustainable innovation, having a site-level expert who can translate those ambitions into measurable operational gains is essential. You might work on projects that reduce energy consumption, improve waste segregation, or lower the site's carbon footprint, all of which feed into IFF's broader climate and resource-efficiency goals. The role also has a strong governance dimension: by maintaining strong permit compliance and audit readiness, you help protect IFF's social licence to operate in the local community and strengthen its reputation with regulators and customers alike.

One of the main challenges is the sheer complexity and pace of change in Dutch and European environmental legislation. Keeping the site compliant while operations evolve requires constant vigilance and the ability to translate dense legal text into actionable procedures that production teams can realistically follow. You may face resistance when new compliance measures add perceived bureaucracy to already busy operations, so strong influencing and communication skills are vital. Balancing day-to-day firefighting with strategic improvement projects is another likely difficulty. Permit deadlines, inspections and incidents can consume your schedule, leaving less time for the proactive sustainability work that IFF values. You will need to prioritise ruthlessly and manage expectations across departments. Additionally, the Tilburg site's size and the chemical nature of its processes mean that environmental risks are real and consequential; a lapse in compliance could have serious regulatory and reputational implications. Finally, working with multiple external authorities can be challenging when their timelines or interpretations differ. Navigating those relationships diplomatically, while advocating for the site's interests, is a skill you will rely on frequently.

A typical day likely starts with checking emails and reviewing any regulatory updates or permit deadlines that need attention. You might then join a production or project meeting to advise on environmental requirements for an upcoming change, followed by a site walk-through to verify compliance with permit conditions. Afternoon hours could involve preparing a permit application, updating the ISO 14001 management system, or responding to a query from the Omgevingsdienst. Inspections or audits can disrupt this rhythm entirely, turning the day into a coordination exercise with multiple internal departments and external authorities. The role probably balances planned, structured work with unpredictable problem-solving, especially when regulatory changes or incidents require quick, pragmatic responses. Because IFF's Tilburg site is a large chemical production facility, you will likely spend significant time on the shop floor and in meetings with operations, maintenance and project teams. This is not a desk-bound compliance role; it requires visibility and relationship-building across the plant. The variability keeps the job engaging for someone who enjoys both analytical depth and human interaction.

Starting as an Environmental Engineer at IFF's Tilburg site, you could progress into a senior EHS or environmental management role, either at site level or within IFF's broader global operations network. The company's size and international footprint mean that lateral moves to other sites or corporate sustainability functions are plausible for high performers. Deepening your expertise in Dutch and EU environmental law could also position you as a subject-matter expert sought after across the industry. The role offers visibility with site leadership and external authorities, giving you a platform to demonstrate impact. Leading improvement projects that reduce the site's environmental footprint could open doors to project management or operational leadership roles. IFF's stated commitment to professional development suggests access to training, conferences and certifications that can accelerate your growth. For someone with ambitions beyond a single site, the experience gained here, managing compliance in a complex chemical production environment, is highly transferable to corporate EHS, sustainability strategy or regulatory affairs positions at multinationals. The skills you build in stakeholder management and regulatory navigation are also valuable for consultancy or government roles.

Internally, you will work closely with the EHS team, operational and production managers, project engineers and site leadership. These interactions range from daily operational advice to strategic discussions about sustainability targets and permit implications for capital projects. You will also collaborate with maintenance and engineering colleagues to ensure that changes to equipment or processes are assessed for environmental impact. Externally, your key stakeholders are the regulatory authorities: the Omgevingsdienst, municipality of Tilburg, province of North Brabant and potentially other bodies like the water authority. You will coordinate inspections, submit permit applications and negotiate compliance timelines with them. Consultants and contractors may also be part of the picture when specialised studies or permit support are needed. You might also engage with corporate sustainability or legal teams at IFF to ensure site-level compliance aligns with group-wide policies and reporting requirements. The ability to build trust and communicate clearly with all these parties, from a machine operator to a government inspector, is central to success in this role.