Job Description
- Develop Asian customer-based Cocoa ingredients excellence and create innovation, technology, applications and solutions for Asian customers.
- Work closely with the IEC Koog to support new product introductions or technologies and actively come up with suggestions to improve the Asia ingredient portfolio in terms of functionality and value.
- Leverage core cocoa specialists for building solutions for customers.
- Build new or improved ingredients and technologies for products to increase both sales and stickiness for our powder customers.
- Understand, bring in, develop opportunities through ingredients expertise for increasing butter and liquor sales.
- Create R&D efforts for developing cocoa based new products such as new blends of liquors, butters, powders, Cocoa nib and pulp-based sweeteners, etc.
- IEC will leverage common facilities of Customer Solutions Centre (CSC) in order to coordinate and collaborate effectively.
Job Requirements
- A MSc or PhD degree in Food Technology or Food Chemistry. MBA or equivalent commercial qualification would be desirable.
- Proven capability in a similar senior leadership role in Product Development/R&D in the B2B or B2C in the cocoa or chocolate industry with a minimum of 13 to 17 years of experience. Additional experience in the bakery industry is a plus.
- An expert in ingredient functionality and have a track record working on complex food systems. Proficient to transform ideas into bespoke and solution driven concepts.
- Used to developing and maintaining professional relationships with customers based on capabilities, knowledge and drive to make things happen. Develop and give presentations to customers at all levels.
- Proven leadership skills to transfer the growth aspirations of the company into a regional innovation strategy with tangible actions and KPI’s explained and accepted by the teams.
- Master the food development process inside-out from customer inspiration to winning customer projects. Excellent understanding in ingredient functionality, great tasting product development, analytical methodologies and sensory science is best-in-class.
- Entrepreneurial and able to inspire the team to go the extra mile combining intelligence, agility, creativity and a “can do” mentality.
- Shares a passion for innovative ingredients, food or beverage products and technologies in the beverage, dairy and ice category.
- Has integrity, is inclusive and treats internal and external stakeholders with respect.
- Excellent communication and social skills. Listens well. Fun to work with and open minded.
- Proficient in spoken and written English and any other Asian languages will be an advantage.
- This position requires travelling (30%).
