Head of Plant Based Nutrition
Döhler GmbHCompany Description We are a global producer, marketer and provider of technology-driven natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions for the global food, beverage and life science & nutrition industry. We are all about mastering sensory experience and nutritional performance. We offer exceptional opportunities for passionate people who want to shape the future of nutrition in an entrepreneurial and impact-driven environment. Here, you have the freedom to take ownership and to thrive both professionally and personally. Be part of a highly committed team with a clear purpose: at Döhler, smart ideas have a way of becoming great products. Together, we bring ideas to life. Job Description We are seeking a visionary and commercially sharp Head of Plant-Based Nutrition to lead our global ingredient sourcing, trading, and commodity management portfolio. In this highly strategic executive role, you will own the end-to-end commercial strategy for plant-based proteins, grains, specialized botanicals, and functional ingredients within the Food and Beverage sector. You will navigate volatile global commodity markets, design sophisticated hedging frameworks, and secure resilient supply chains to fuel our rapid scale-up. This role sits at the intersection of commercial trading, product innovation, and sustainable procurement. Key Responsibilities Market Intelligence & Risk Management: Monitor global supply-demand dynamics, geopolitical shifts, and weather patterns affecting crops (e.g., peas, soy, oats, alternative grains). Translate these insights into highly actionable risk mitigation and cost-containment frameworks. Hedging & Financial Modeling: Define and execute complex price-hedging strategies, leveraging forward contracts, formula-based pricing, and financial futures to protect product margins against market volatility. Budget Accountability: Establish annual standard costs, manage multi-million dollar spend portfolios, and deliver accurate cost projections to senior finance leadership. Ingredient Sourcing & Vendor Management Global Strategic Procurement: Lead request for proposals (RFPs) and complex contract negotiations with worldwide agricultural suppliers, brokers, and ingredient processors. Supplier Development: Source, qualify, and build deep strategic alliances with emerging tech and ingredient innovators in the plant-based ecosystem (e.g., protein isolates, novel binders, clean-label texturizers). Supply Assurance & Continuity: Establish a robust multi-source contingency matrix to prevent any raw-material disruptions across our complex manufacturing network. Cross-Functional Synergy & Innovation R&D & Product Launch Commercialization: Partner closely with Research & Development (R&D) and product formulation teams to introduce cost-effective, high-performance, and nutritionally optimal ingredients to pipeline projects. Regulatory & Quality Alignment: Collaborate with Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQR) to guarantee that all procured items maintain non-GMO, organic, vegan, and allergen-free standards. Sustainability & Impact Integration: Drive responsible sourcing initiatives, adhering to corporate ESG goals regarding deforestation, ethical labor practices, and sustainable agriculture. Qualifications Your Profile: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Food Science, or a related discipline. An MBA or Master's degree is highly preferred. Experience : 10+ years of progressive procurement or trading experience, with a minimum of 5 years explicitly managing agricultural food commodities and functional ingredients in the Food & Beverage or CPG industry. Trading Acumen: Proven track record of managing physical or financial commodity risk via complex hedging mechanisms. Industry Frameworks: Deep knowledge of global food supply chains, international trade regulations, and food safety standards (e.g., FDA, EFSA, GFSI, HACCP). Data & Analytic…