Manager, Global Product Innovation, Chocolate

Barry Callebaut Group; Lebbeke; Sur place; EUR 120 000 - 180 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Barry Callebaut Group is seeking a Global Product Innovation Manager, Chocolate to lead the development of next-generation chocolate solutions across global markets.

You will drive end-to-end product development, translate trends into concepts, and ensure scalable, compliant products through cross-functional collaboration.

Join a diverse, innovation-driven team and help deliver consumer-loved chocolates while advancing your career in a global setting.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a relevant scientific field.
• 5+ years of experience in product development, innovation, or R&D in food.
• Strong expertise in chocolate and cocoa ingredients, formulation, processing, and applications.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of global market dynamics.
• Ability to translate scientific insights into consumer-focused solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent English; other languages are a plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally (~20%).

Responsabilités

• Drive the global chocolate innovation roadmap aligned with growth strategies.
• Translate trends (health, sustainability, premiumization) into product concepts.
• Lead end-to-end development from ideation to global launch.
• Develop and implement chocolate technologies, ingredients, processing solutions.
• Ensure products are scalable, manufacturable, and compliant with quality/regulatory requirements.
• Partner with global/regional customers to co-create chocolate solutions.
• Support commercial teams with technical expertise in presentations/workshops.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, Quality, Sourcing, Marketing, and Sales for project delivery.
• Build and share technical knowledge across the global R&D community.

Connaissances

Chocolate expertise

R&D leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Formation

Master's or PhD in Food Science/Technology, Engineering

Description du poste

We are looking for a Global Product Innovation Manager, Chocolate to lead the development of next-generation chocolate solutions that delight consumers, inspire customers, and drive business growth across global markets.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Drive the global chocolate innovation roadmap, aligned with business and growth strategies.
• Translate consumer and market trends such as health, sustainability, and premiumization into innovative product concepts.
• Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle, from ideation and formulation to pilot testing and global launch.
• Develop and implement new chocolate technologies, ingredients, and processing solutions.
• Ensure products are scalable, manufacturable, and compliant with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with global and regional customers to co-create innovative chocolate solutions.
• Support commercial teams with technical expertise during customer presentations and innovation workshops.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Operations, Quality, Sourcing, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Build and share technical knowledge across the global R&D community, promoting best practices and capability development.

What You Bring

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product development, innovation, or R&D within the food industry.
• Strong expertise in chocolate and/or cocoa, including ingredients, formulation, processing, and applications.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of global market dynamics.
• Ability to translate scientific insights into consumer-relevant and customer-focused solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent English; additional languages are an advantage.
• Willingness to travel internationally (approximately 20%).

Who You Are

You are a consumer and customer-focused innovator with a passion for delivering impactful solutions. You thrive in cross-functional and multicultural environments, build strong partnerships, and combine technical excellence with an entrepreneurial mindset. You are curious, forward-thinking, and motivated to shape the future of chocolate.

What We Offer

You will join a global innovation team at the forefront of chocolate development, working on exciting projects with international customers and colleagues. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on products enjoyed by consumers around the world while advancing your career in a dynamic and innovation-driven environment.

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.