Head of Dairy Sales, Middle East

Chr. Hansen Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Novonesis is seeking a Head of Dairy Sales Middle East to accelerate growth across the GCC, Levant, and neighboring markets. You will lead the dairy commercial organization, shape growth strategy, and build strong customer partnerships while guiding high-performing teams to deliver sustainable profitable growth.

The role requires extensive B2B dairy leadership, cross-country experience, and a customer-centric value-based approach, with travel across the region.

Qualifications

• Extensive B2B commercial leadership in dairy.
• Proven track record of sustainable growth and partnerships.
• Experience leading multi-country account teams in matrix orgs.
• Strong planning, forecasting, budgeting, and contract skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Middle East dairy growth strategy.
• Lead and develop a team of account managers.
• Build strategic relationships with key customers and distributors.
• Drive opportunity management, forecasting, budgeting, and pipeline discipline.
• Partner with functions to deliver customer value and results.

Skills

Dairy sales leadership

CRM Salesforce

Strategic account mgmt

English communication

Education

BSc/MSc in Food Science

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Interested in a career that matters

Interested in a career that matters

At Novonesis we believe biology holds the key to solving some of the worlds biggest challenges. As Head of Dairy Sales Middle East you will play a pivotal role in accelerating growth across one of our most important regions while helping shape the future of biosolutions in the dairy industry.

You will lead the Dairy commercial organization across the Middle East driving execution of our GROW Strategy 2030 building strong customer partnerships developing high-performing teams and delivering sustainable profitable growth across a diverse and dynamic market landscape.

The Role & Your Impact

The Head of Dairy Sales is responsible for leading the Dairy business and sales organization across the GCC countries Levant Yemen Pakistan Iraq and Stans. Reporting to the Head of Dairy MEA this role connects strategy with execution ensuring commercial excellence while strengthening Novonesis position as a trusted innovation partner for customers throughout the region.

Your key responsibilities in this role

• Develop and execute the Middle East Dairy growth strategy aligned with the broader MEA and FBB business strategy.
• Translate and deliver the priorities of GROW Strategy 2030 through growth of the core business enhancement of Novonesis distinctive position and acceleration of the biosolutions market.
• Lead coach and develop a team of Key Account Managers and Account Managers fostering accountability engagement and high performance.
• Build strategic relationships with focus customers key accounts distributors and industry stakeholders.
• Drive opportunity management pipeline discipline forecasting accuracy budgeting and commercial performance through Salesforce and business review processes.
• Optimize route-to-market models and distributor partnerships to accelerate growth and strengthen market presence.
• Partner closely with technical marketing supply chain finance regulatory and distribution teams to deliver customer value and business results.
• Champion innovation customer-centricity sustainability and biosolutions adoption across regional markets.
• Ensure compliance with company policies safety standards risk-management practices and governance requirements.
• Serve as a key member of the MEA Dairy Leadership Team and contribute actively to regional business priorities and long-term growth objectives.

What youll need to be successful in this role

• BSc or MSc degree in Food Science Dairy Science Microbiology Biotechnology or another relevant scientific field.
• Extensive B2B commercial leadership experience within the dairy industry.
• Proven track record of delivering sustainable business growth and developing strategic customer partnerships.
• Experience leading account management teams across multiple countries and operating effectively within matrix organizations.
• Strong commercial acumen across strategic planning pricing forecasting budgeting contracts pipeline management and working-capital discipline.
• Ability to combine scientific understanding with a customer-focused value-based sales approach.
• Experience using CRM systems ideally Salesforce and leveraging data-driven insights to support decision-making.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively across the region.

Essential leadership capabilities

• Strategic leadership
• Customer centricity
• People leadership
• Commercial excellence
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strong execution and resilience in complex market environments

Additional skills & interests we value

• Additional commercial or business qualifications.
• Knowledge of biosolutions fermentation technologies cultures enzymes or related dairy applications.
• Experience in emerging markets across the Middle East Africa or Asia.
• Additional language capabilities relevant to the region.
• Passion for innovation sustainability and market development.
• Curiosity adaptability and a growth mindset aligned with the Novonesis Culture Commitments of Explore Impact Ownership and Care.

What we offer you

At Novonesis you will have the opportunity to shape the future of biosolutions while working alongside passionate colleagues committed to making a positive impact on customers society and the planet.

We offer:

• A highly visible leadership role with significant regional impact.
• The opportunity to influence strategic business decisions and long-term growth plans.
• Exposure to global regional and local stakeholders across a leading biosolutions organization.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture built on Explore Impact Ownership and Care.
• Ongoing leadership and professional development opportunities.
• The ability to help customers create value through innovative biosolutions and sustainable transformation.

Our purpose guides the way

Opportunities for everyone

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds including ethnicity religion gender sexual orientation age disability or veteran status.