Vacant job

Do you see great opportunities for sustainable development of our food system? Do you want to help Swedish food companies maintain and strengthen their competitiveness? Are you passionate about innovation, development, and creating growth in the Swedish food industry? Then you might be the right person for us!

Within the Sustainable Operations unit, we are currently 16 people working towards responsible resource use, reduced environmental impact, fair working conditions, and resilient and future-proof business models in the food system, ensuring that the food system contributes to sustainable and healthy food consumption. We are now strengthening our team in innovation and business development that provides advice and support to small and medium-sized food companies.

About the role We are looking for a business-oriented and customer-focused project manager and business coach with a strong commitment to the conditions of companies and the development of the food chain in Sweden. We work with needs analyses, knowledge-enhancing activities, and guidance to experts and funding opportunities. The work often takes place in publicly funded, regional or national innovation or skills development projects. We are driving, among other things, the Food Accelerator, a regional initiative funded by the Västra Götaland Region (Food Accelerator – We speed up growth). Occasionally, the business coaching may be on a commission basis for individual companies. We work together to adapt our offerings to the needs of the industry, develop the area, and consider the business as a whole rather than just the projects we are responsible for.

As a project manager focusing on business development, you will:

• Plan and conduct company visits to identify the target group's development needs

• Match needs with resources (knowledge and funding) to create conditions for development and innovation – for individuals and groups of companies.

• Organize seminars, workshops, and networks for skills enhancement in the food industry.

• Be responsible for customer dialogues and contacts

• Develop our offerings and working methods together with colleagues in the group

• Participate in projects, including research and development projects, based on your expertise where someone else is the project manager

• Represent RISE's activities in the area in various contexts, both internally and externally.

The position is a permanent employment with placement in the Sustainable Operations unit, Department of Food, in Gothenburg. Please note that this position may require a security clearance, either later in this process or in the future.

Who are you?

We are looking for someone who:

• Has very good knowledge of entrepreneurship in the food sector

• Has experience in management work or consulting

• Is consultative and customer-oriented, with the ability to listen and understand needs, and can adapt accordingly

• Has good experience in project management and is accustomed to leading yourself and others

• Has a post-secondary degree in a relevant field, e.g., with a focus on economics, marketing, or entrepreneurship; alternatively, an environmental scientist, engineer, or agronomist with relevant experience in business coaching

• Has good computer skills

• Holds a B driver's license

It is an advantage if you have any of the following:

• Experience in innovation management, practical product development, and/or lean production in food companies

• Knowledge of marketing, brand building, or sales

• Knowledge of artisanal and/or industrial food production

• Skills and abilities in facilitation and process management

• Knowledge of the innovation system for food

• Experience and networks from the food industry and/or regional development projects

As a person, we believe you are unpretentious, have an easy time building relationships, and enjoy interacting with people. You communicate easily and are happy to share your knowledge – both to spread understanding of the area and to identify new business opportunities and collaborations. You are curious and interested in business development and innovation in food in a broad sense, and you see connections to other areas such as resource efficiency, product development, etc. You are driven and take your own initiatives but also enjoy working in a team. You work in a structured manner, and when you take responsibility for something, you deliver. Many of our customers and partners are international, so you need to be able to express yourself fluently in both Swedish and English, both spoken and written, even though the corporate language is Swedish.

Are we right for each other? At RISE, we are convinced that diversity contributes to an innovative environment. You will work in a dynamic environment that offers you opportunities for both professional and personal development. Of course, we are very curious about you and how you strengthen and complement us! Please tell us about your skills and experiences, but also how you want to develop. Describe your experiences with customer-facing work and working in project form and if you have experience in innovation or development projects.

Want to know more? If you have questions, please feel free to contact Emma Holtz (+46 10 516 66 69), unit manager, and Maria Holmkvist (+46 10 516 66 80), project manager, Sustainable Operations. The application deadline is March 24, 2026, but interviews may take place continuously, so do not hesitate to submit your application.

Our union representatives are Linda Ikatti, Unionen, 010-516 51 61 and Ingemar Pettermann, SACO, 010-2284122.

Calls from external recruitment companies and salespeople are kindly declined as we are subject to the Public Procurement Act.

Business development, innovation management, sustainability, economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, engineering, agronomy, food, RISE, Gothenburg