Head of Development & Application Food (m/f/d)

TT Exchange Rates; Darmstadt; Vor Ort; EUR 90.000 - 150.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Döhler is seeking a Head of Development & Application Food to lead a global team responsible for creating innovative concepts across Plant Based, Confectionery, Bakery, Ice Cream and Dairy. The role drives customer-focused solutions, digital transformation, and process excellence, with strong collaboration with Sales and R&D to meet market needs.

You will shape portfolio strategy, ensure compliant processes, and mentor experts while delivering high-quality, value-adding products in a global

Qualifikationen

• Leadership experience in product development, application, or R&D within the food/ingredients industry.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and process-oriented mindset with proven optimization and digital transformation experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to build trust across global teams.
• Strong business acumen with budget management expertise and hands-on leadership.
• Fluent in English; German or additional languages are an advantage.

Aufgaben

• Oversee development and application of innovative food concepts, ensuring outstanding customer support across Food categories.
• Collaborate with Sales and R&D to translate market needs into scalable solutions.
• Drive alignment with global strategies and ensure timely, high-quality delivery by application teams.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Development & Application Food team.
• Ensure cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Market Segment Management, and R&D.

Kenntnisse

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical mindset

Process optimization

Digital transformation

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Ausbildung

Degree in Food Technology or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Jobbeschreibung

Head of Development & Application Food (m/f/d)

Posting Start Date: 8/17/26

Are you interested in high-quality, natural, and tasty nutrition?

We are! It’s our ambition to shape the future of nutrition.

Döhler is a leading global producer of natural ingredients and solutions for the food, beverage, lifestyle and nutrition industries. We use innovative technology to process plant-based raw materials and enrich products such as lifestyle drinks, cereals, dairy, and confectionery goods for almost every well-known brand. Close to 10.000 dedicated employees in more than 70 countries share one common goal - to ensure that millions of people around the world enjoy the products created by us.

We strive to inspire and empower our employees in everything we do, and we invite you to join our team – together WE BRING IDEAS TO LIFE.

Reference ID: 43279

Your Responsibilities

Customer Focus & Application Excellence

• Oversee the development and application of innovative food concepts, ensuring outstanding customer support and satisfaction over all food categories (Plant Based, Confectionary, Bakery, Ice Cream and Dairy)
• Collaborate closely with Sales and R&D to translate market needs and customer insights into impactful, scalable solutions.
• Drive alignment with global strategies and ensure the application teams deliver high-quality, value-adding product solutions.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of experts and team leads within the Development & Application Food area.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration across functions, particularly with Sales, Market Segment Management, and R&D.
• Guarantee timely and quality-driven project execution in line with Döhler’s LTO (Launch to Order) process.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration to align on portfolio strategy, customer requirements, and market trends.

Strategic Leadership & Process Optimization

• Lead, standardize, and continuously optimize processes, structures, and workflows across the Development & Application Food organization.
• Initiate and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and performance across the area of responsibility.
• Define and implement best-practice frameworks and internal regulations ensuring compliance with all applicable standards and corporate guidelines.
• Proactively initiate corrective actions in case of deviations.

Digital Transformation & Innovation

• Drive the digital transformation within the Development & Application Food organization.
• Develop and implement an integrated digitalization strategy in close cooperation with relevant interfaces and stakeholders.
• Leverage new technologies and digital functionalities to sustainably increase the value contribution and transparency of processes.
• Ensure the optimization, integration, and documentation of business processes within internal IT systems and databases.

Resource & Budget Management

• Plan and manage human, material, and financial resources for the area of responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with approved budgets and initiate corrective measures when deviations occur, in close coordination with management

Your Profile

• Degree in Food Technology, Food Science or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Several years of leadership experience in product development, application, or R&D within the food or ingredients industry.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and process-oriented mindset with a proven track record in process optimization and digital transformation
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust across global teams.
• Strong business acumen, budget management expertise, and hands‑on leadership style.
• Fluent in English; German or additional languages are an advantage.

As an employer, we offer:

• Work with passion: We foster a culture where you can act with heart and mind, take pride in your work and inspire others through positivity and commitment.
• Lead with purpose at every level: For us, leadership is not defined by titles. It is about taking ownership, driving change and bring-ing meaning to what you do.
• Grow your way: With flexible development opportunites across departments and a global team, you can broaden your skills, discover new strenghts and actively shape your own path.
• Global collaboration: Join an international team bringing together multiple cultures, languages and perspectives to spark new ideas and inspiration.
• Shared strength: We build real connections and grow together. By sharing knowledge and valuing each other’s strengths, we create a culture where trust and team play lead to shared success.

Equal opportunities for all

We welcome applicants, who are just as diverse as we are - regardless of age, ancestry, disability, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, social background or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.