Ingredient Solutions Director / Ingredient Solutions Directress

Job Opportunity: Ingredient Solutions Director, Europe

We are seeking an Ingredient Solutions Director for Europe to secure and enhance our portfolio of ingredients and formulas, ensuring a seamless delivery to our customers throughout 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. Your role will involve shaping 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 current and future market demands.
• Safeguard continuity: Implement processes and risk-management frameworks to protect supply, reduce challenges, and simplify operations without compromising on quality.
• Champion I&F's role: Enhance the importance of ingredient and formula management within the organization as a critical enabler for customer satisfaction and margin realization.

Innovation & Development

• Guide creative problem-solving: Introduce market-leading tools and methodologies for both proactive and reactive formula optimization.
• Refresh and future-proof: Evaluate and refresh ingredient palettes to ensure better performance, adherence to evolving regulatory guidelines, and alignment with key consumer trends such as natural, clean label, and sustainable sourcing.
• Harness digitalization: Utilize AI and digital tools to anticipate ingredient challenges and opportunities, identifying potential 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: Develop plans that enhance business and customer outcomes, such as improving delivery efficiency or reducing lead times through formula optimization.
• Connect innovation to improve: Ensure that ingredient and formula expertise is aligned with commercial goals, delivering tailored, high-value solutions for our customers.

Knowledge, Systems, and Compliance

• Remain a trusted expert: Stay current with regulatory developments in EU food, flavoring, and additive compliance, translating them into applicable business practices.
• Use systems for speed: Lead the processes associated with formula change and industrialization, leveraging data and KPIs for speed, accuracy, and transparency.

People and Talent Leadership

• Inspire and develop: Build, coach, and empower teams across Europe, fostering expertise and creating a pipeline of future talent.
• Cultivate collaboration: Promote connections with key internal communities, from Flavorists to Issue Management teams, encouraging 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 flavor 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, labeling, allergens, and compliance regimes (REACH, Novel Foods)
• Experience in R&D pipelines, trend translation, and bringing innovations from concept to market
• Proven 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 sports and leisure club with on-site amenities
• Employee 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 freedom to choose your hospital

To apply for this position, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.