Research and development

Daniele 

• Physical and sensory sciences global leader 
• Leads research to design and improve ingredient attributes in food applications through food material science and sensory science 
• Cargill employee since 2000 
• Based in Vilvoorde, Belgium; travels to Minneapolis every six to eight weeks 

Why did you join Cargill? 

I joined because Cargill is a global company with a forward-looking strategy. When I interviewed, I felt a sense of entrepreneurial atmosphere that attracted me. 

What kinds of problems do you help solve? 

The problems can be very tactical, requiring an immediate answer, or they can be the type of challenge for which the industry is looking for a breakthrough solution. In any case, the game is about coming up with solutions that differentiate Cargill and its customers from competitors. 

What is it like to work in R&D at Cargill? 

There are lots of great people who are strong in their fields and strong in their convictions, yet there is respect throughout the ranks. The environment is open and professional – and rich with challenges. 

What keeps you at Cargill? 

What is good about working here is that things can happen, great teams can work and are successful. When I came here, one person told me: “With Cargill, the sky is the limit, there are so many opportunities.” 

What might you tell someone interested in exploring an opportunity in Cargill R&D? 

Cargill is a company that matters in the food industry. It has a strategy for technology (R&D) that is designed to support the company’s growth over the long haul. It has set the goal to work toward being a preferred partner to its customers and it will achieve its goal in due course. Cargill is serious about developing technical talent and has efforts under way to increase its diversity and nurture openness. 

Cargill’s ethics standards are very respectable and it upholds them. Finally, I would say that Cargill is striving to be the place all people with great talent would feel welcome.