Application Director, AMET. Taste Texture & Health

dsm-firmenich; Dubai; On-site; AED 440,000 - 551,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nutrition and health firm in Dubai is seeking an experienced Application Director to lead a talented team in delivering innovative client solutions. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years in the food/flavour industry, proven leadership skills, and a strong technical background. This role offers competitive pay and career growth opportunities within a collaborative workplace focused on sustainability.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Career growth opportunities

Outstanding benefit programs

Culture of safety and well-being

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in the food/flavour industry.
• Experience in Beverage, Sweet Goods, and Savory segments.
• Strong technical skill set in food ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Application Managers.
• Develop and nurture a best-in-class application team.
• Set objectives and conduct performance reviews.

Skills

Leadership abilities

Project management skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Customer Service mindset

Communication skills

Education

MSc. in Food Science or equivalent

Tools

Hydrocolloids

Enzymes

Functional Systems

Job description

Application Director, AMET. Taste Texture & Health

Dubai, UAE

We are dsm-firmenich – innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty. We bring progress to life by combining the essential, the desirable, and the sustainable.

From our master perfumers and flavorists to our expert nutritionists and scientists, our trailblazing teams work closely with customers, supporting their ambitions with 150+ years of R&D expertise.

With a passionate and talented team of close to 30,000 employees, we are determined to be a force for good. And to work together to positively impact people and planet.

At dsm-firmenich people are at the heart of the company. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and value diversity in the workplace.

As our successful Application Director, you will lead and manage a team of Application Managers, Flavour & Food Technologists, Technicians and Assistants to develop and nurture a best-in-class application team delivering outstanding solutions for clients.

In this role you will be part of the AMET (Africa, Middle East & Turkiye) region and report to VP Creation & Application, Principal Flavorist.

Your key responsibilities:

• Develop, nurture, and maintain a working environment that allows the application team to optimal answer to client briefs.

• Lead the application team of Middle East & North Africa and Sub Sahara African. Ensuring individual coaching and support to the team. Establishing training & development programs.

• Setting objectives, conducting feedback and progress reviews; ensuring proper skill set and training with the use of equipment and develop industry conform top quality applications.

• Facilitate team approach and secure implementation of tools (systems, equipment’s…)

• Build strategic partnership with Creation, Regional Segment team, Marketing, Collection Management, Sales, and other dsm-firmenich groups, promote collaborative team work to meet needs and deliver on the strategy and client requirements.

• Manage application teamwork load, project follow-up, challenge submissions and quality.

• Drive collection usage in briefs and foster team collection knowledge via regular tastings and gap feedback.

• Lead key strategic and technical projects like Tenders, rationalizations…

• Provide technical support through markets and category teams, ensures right value proposition is put behind defined opportunities through effective project management & vitality, in line with regional Strategy, Operational Rules, Client Segmentation and Category Focus.

• Actively participate in Customer Reviews and Account plans for key clients from the technical angle. Regular Internal cluster visit (SSA) and client visits on need basis.

• Assures laboratory and its equipment’s are regulatory serviced and maintained according to local regulations and dsm-firmenich SHE policies; Support audits and SHE initiatives.

• Provides technical support /enquiries to internal and external customers.

We offer:

• A rich history and a promising future of bold scientific innovation and passionate creation with our customers.

• A space to grow by encouraging and supporting curiosity and an open mindset.

• A culture that prioritizes safety and well-being, both physically and mentally.

• The opportunity to work for a company where sustainability is much more than a claim and is core to our strategy and purpose.

• An eagerness to be one team and learn from each other to bring progress to life and create a better future.

• We offer competitive pay, career growth opportunities, and outstanding benefit programs.

You bring:

• MSc. in Food Science or equivalent

• • 10 years of experience in the Food/Flavour industry (preferably in technical field) with strong technical skillset.

• Experience in Beverage, Sweet Goods and Savory segments.

• Experience and knowledge of food ingredients (Hydrocolloids, Enzymes, Culture, Functional System)

• Proven Leadership abilities and demonstrated experience in managing a team.

• Strong project management skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including sound influencing skills, and at ease working cross-functionally.

• Customer Service mindset; Senior level with technical credibility and gravitas facing customers.

• Open-minded; flexible and organized.

• English language is mandatory.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement:

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.