Ingredient Solutions Director (m/f/d)

We are looking for an Ingredient Solutions Director, Europe — someone who can secure and enhance 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, shaping the ingredient palette of tomorrow while ensuring operational continuity today.

In this exciting role, you will:

Strategic Leadership

• Set direction: Define and lead the strategy for ingredient and formula optimisation 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, reduce challenges, and reduce complexity without compromising quality.
• Champion I&F's role: Enhance the profile of ingredient and formula management within the organisation as a critical enabler for customer satisfaction and margin realisation.

Innovation & Development

• Guide creative problem-solving: Introduce market-leading tools, and methodologies for proactive and reactive formula optimisation.
• Refresh and future-proof: Evaluate and refresh ingredient palettes to deliver better performance, meet evolving regulatory guidelines, and align with main consumer trends such as natural, clean label, and sustainable sourcing.
• Harness digitalisation: Use AI and digital tools to anticipate ingredient challenges and opportunities, spotting gaps before they become operational issues.

Execution Excellence & Customer Focus

• Champion delivery: Lead the validation and execution of formula changes, ensuring the smooth roll-outs to both manufacturing and customer supply chains.
• Maximise value: Launch plans that directly enhance business and customer outcomes, such as improving delivery efficiency or reducing lead times by formula optimisation.
• Connect innovation to improve: Ensure ingredient and formula expertise is tightly aligned with commercial goals, delivering tailored, high-value solutions for our customers.

Knowledge, Systems and Compliance

• Remain a trusted expert: Keep pace with regulatory developments in EU food, flavouring, and additive compliance—translating them into practical, applicable business practices.
• Use systems for speed: Lead the processes associated with formula change and industrialisation, using data and KPIs to ensure 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: Ensure connections with important 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 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 industrialisation.
• 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 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) at all locations
• Worldwide private accident coverage with the free choice of hospital

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