Head of Open Innovation (m/f/d)

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances and flavors, cosmetic active ingredients as well as functional ingredients. Its customers include perfume, cosmetics, food and beverage manufacturers, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of dietary supplements and pet food.

With sales of around €4.9 billion in the 2025 financial year, the company is one of the world’s leading providers. The Group, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, has more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

Together with its customers, Symrise develops new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked.

Symrise - always inspiring more...

Your Role

The Head of Open Innovation (m/f/d) is responsible for designing and leading a world-class open innovation ecosystem that accelerates breakthrough fragrance innovation. The role connects external partners-start-ups, academia, suppliers, tech firms, and creatives-with internal R&D, perfumery, and business teams to deliver differentiated, sustainable, and consumer-relevant fragrance solutions at speed.
A core pillar of the role is building a systematic, forward-looking technology scouting capability across both digital and chemical innovation, including AI-driven molecular discovery, computational chemistry, and biotech-enabled ingredient platforms.
This leader positions open innovation as a strategic growth engine, unlocking step-change innovation in how fragrances are discovered, designed, and experienced.
This requisition is a fulltime position to be located at our global Headquarters in Holzminden, Germany.

• Define and execute a global open innovation strategy aligned with business priorities such as fine fragrance, consumer products, sustainability, digitalization.
• Build and manage a balanced portfolio for our short-, mid- and long-term horizons.
• Lead strategic partnerships and co-development agreements with start-ups, universities and research institutes as well as strategic industry partners and suppliers.
• Collaborate with corporate incubator for ventures & partnering.
• Drive fast experimentation through pilot projects and proofs of concept.
• Utilize tax credit programs and manage public-funded projects.
• Identify whitespace opportunities across ingredients, technologies, sensorial experiences and business models.
• Systematically use global scouting capabilities to scout for:
  • New ingredients (bio-based, upcycled)
  • Novel & digital scent technologies, AI/ML in perfumery
  • Consumer experience innovations (e.g., personalization)
• Translate trends into actionable innovation opportunities.
• Deliver regular insight reports to the organization.
• Actively drive relationship with Symrise's Scientific Advisory Board.
• Act as the bridge between external innovation and internal R&D/perfumery teams.
• Foster a culture of openness, experimentation, and co-creation by participation in Symrise cross-segmental working groups.

Your Profile

• Master's degree or PhD; background in Chemistry, Biochemistry or related field
• 10-15+ years in innovation, preferably across: Fragrance, chemicals, materials science, biotech, or FMCG.
• Strong exposure to open innovation & partnerships as well as chemical or ingredient innovation/discovery
• Exposure to AI/omputational chemistry/digital R&D tools and technology scouting/foresight
• Proven track record in translating advanced science into commercial innovation
• Ability to translate complex science into business opportunities
• Strong understanding of organic chemistry / fragrance chemistry and technology fundamentals
• Strong understanding of emerging AI and computational chemistry approaches.
• Ability to bridge Molecular-level innovation - sensory experience - consumer value.
• Expertise in technology scouting and evaluation as well as external collaboration models.
• Languages: Fluent in English; other languages (especially French or German) are a plus

Our Offer

Become part of our open and transparent culture. It will give you the opportunity to flourish and to develop inspiring experiences that contribute to the health and well-being of consumers in 160 countries around the world. Putting our employees in the focus fuels our strong company growth above market rates and makes us an excellent place to develop your career.

Come join us and embark on a fascinating journey with Symrise.