Global Innovation Director (m/f/d) – Food Ingredients

About the Company

On behalf of our successful, internationally operating client, we are seeking an experienced innovation leader to drive global product development. Our client develops functional ingredient solutions for food applications, helping food manufacturers improve taste, texture, stability, and processing performance across a wide range of product categories. These ingredients play a key role in enabling modern food concepts, supporting product quality, efficiency, and consumer appeal. Headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the company operates globally and is known for its current growth strategy, innovation-driven mindset, and high quality standards. Innovation is driven through close collaboration between internal teams as well as cooperative innovation with customers, suppliers, research partners, and external experts, creating an ecosystem that accelerates the development of next-generation ingredient solutions for global food applications.

About the Role

As Global Innovation Director, you will drive the global innovation strategy for functional ingredients used in food applications across EMEA, the Americas, and Asia. Leading international teams, you translate market trends, consumer needs, and customer challenges into innovative and commercially viable ingredient solutions.

Responsibilities

Leading and developing the international innovation team Driving the global innovation roadmap for functional food ingredients Translating consumer trends and customer needs into new ingredient concepts and food application solutions Strengthening cooperative innovation partnerships with customers, suppliers, and research institutions Collaborating closely commercial and operations functions Identifying new opportunities for ingredient technologies and food application platforms Promoting a culture of entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related field Extensive experience in food ingredients, product development, or innovation leadership Strong understanding of functional ingredients influencing taste, texture, and processing performance in food applications Proven track record in leading international and cross-functional teams Strategic mindset with the ability to translate market trends into scalable innovations Experience working in global and dynamic business environments Strong communication and stakeholder management skills Fluent German and English required; additional languages are an advantage

Interested in shaping the future of functional ingredient innovation for global food applications? We look forward to receiving your application.