Ingredient Solutions Director - Europe
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Ingredient Solutions Director for our Europe operations. This individual will be responsible for securing and enhancing our portfolio of ingredients and formulas, ensuring seamless delivery to our customers across the region.
Based at our modern Innovation Center in Kemptthal, Switzerland, and reporting directly to the Head of Regional Innovation Europe, you will oversee our Ingredient & Formula (I&F) and IPLC teams. You will shape the ingredient palette of tomorrow while ensuring operational continuity today.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Set Direction: Define and lead the strategy for ingredient and formula optimization across our diverse product portfolio, ensuring we offer the best possible palette for today and future market demands.
- Safeguard Continuity: Implement processes and risk management frameworks to protect supply, minimize challenges, and reduce complexity without compromising quality.
- Champion I&F's Role: Elevate the importance of ingredient and formula management within the organization as a key enabler for customer satisfaction and margin realization.
Innovation & Development
- Guide Creative Problem-Solving: Introduce market-leading tools and methodologies for proactive and reactive formula optimization.
- Refresh and Future-Proof: Evaluate and refresh ingredient palettes to enhance performance, meet evolving regulatory guidelines, and align with major consumer trends such as natural, clean label, and sustainable sourcing.
- Harness Digitalization: Use AI and digital tools to anticipate ingredient challenges and opportunities, identifying gaps before they become operational issues.
Execution Excellence & Customer Focus
- Champion Delivery: Lead the validation and execution of formula changes, ensuring smooth roll-outs to both manufacturing and customer supply chains.
- Maximize Value: Launch initiatives that directly enhance business and customer outcomes, such as improving delivery efficiency or reducing lead times through formula optimization.
- Connect Innovation to Improvement: Ensure ingredient and formula expertise aligns closely with commercial goals, delivering tailored, high-value solutions for our customers.
Knowledge, Systems, and Compliance
- Remain a Trusted Expert: Stay updated on regulatory developments in EU food, flavouring, and additive compliance—translating them into practical business practices.
- Use Systems for Speed: Lead processes associated with formula changes and industrialization, utilizing data and KPIs for speed, accuracy, and transparency.
People and Talent Leadership
- Inspire and Develop: Build, coach, and empower teams across Europe, nurturing expertise and creating a future talent pipeline.
- Cultivate Collaboration: Foster connections with key internal communities, from Flavourists to Issue Management teams, promoting best practice sharing and mutual support.
Your Professional Profile
- Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Food Technology, or a similar technical discipline.
- 15+ years of leadership experience in formulation, ingredient or flavour technology, product development, or related fields.
- Demonstrated expertise in ingredient delivery systems, scale-up, and industrialization.
- Experience with supplier management, procurement, and financial accountability.
- In-depth knowledge of EU food regulations, labelling, allergens, and compliance regimes (REACH, Novel Foods).
- Experience in R&D pipelines, trend translation, and bringing innovations from concept to market.
- Track record in cross-functional leadership and talent development.
- Business fluency in English; additional languages are advantageous.
Our Benefits in Kemptthal
- Excellent opportunities for progressive learning and development.
- Flexible working model with a 40-hour work week.
- Additional paid days off and favorable pension fund contributions.
- Subsidized meals in the staff restaurant and discounted catering offers.
- Access to a sport and leisure club with amenities on-site.
- Discounts at the company shop and free staff parking.
- Subsidized REKA vouchers and SBB half-fare travel card.
- Complimentary beverages (tea, coffee, water) available at all locations.
- Worldwide private accident coverage with the choice of hospital.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.