MEA Bakery Solutions Portfolio & Commercialization Executive

Lesaffre; Marcq-en-Barœul; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lesaffre is seeking a strategic yet execution-focused Bakery Solutions Portfolio & Commercialization Executive to drive the MEA region's growth of Bakery Solutions (Ingredients + Yeast).

You will collaborate with Marketing, R&D, and Sales to ensure portfolio robustness, pricing, and market readiness, with frequent travel to MEA markets. Fluent English and French are valued; substantial travel (20-30%) is expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in portfolio management, project execution, or commercialization.
• Experience in FMCG, CPG or bakery industry; knowledge of bakery ingredients, yeast and baking applications.
• MEA region experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the MEA Bakery Solutions portfolio strategy aligned with global goals.
• Conduct market and competitive analysis for MEA bakery ingredients and yeast markets.
• Define long-term roadmap including innovation pipelines and cost optimizations (3–5 year outlook).
• Collaborate with global R&D and Marketing to adapt innovations for MEA markets.

Skills

Portfolio management

Project execution

Commercialization

FMCG

Bakery industry

Tools

CRM

Microsoft Office

Project management tools

Job description

As a global key player in yeasts and fermentation, Lesaffre designs, manufactures and markets innovative solutions for Baking, Food taste & pleasure, Health care and Biotechnology.

Family group born in northern France in 1853, now a multi-national and a multicultural company, Lesaffre is committed to working with confidence to better nourish and protect the planet.

In close collaboration with its clients and partners, Lesaffre employs 11 700 people in more than 50 countries.

Lesaffre achieves a turnover of 3,2 billion euros.

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of Innovation & Technical Services, we are seeking a strategic yet execution-focused Bakery Solutions Portfolio & Commercialization Executive to drive the commercialization and growth of our Bakery Solutions (Ingredients + Yeast) portfolio in the MEA region. Your work will directly influence market penetration, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage in a dynamic and fast-growing region.

Your missions will be:

Portfolio management:

• Develop and execute the MEA Bakery Solutions portfolio strategy, aligning with global business goals and regional market trends (e.g., clean label, cost efficiency, Halal/Kosher compliance, climate-resilient formulations).
• Conduct market and competitive analysis to identify gaps, opportunities, and threats in the MEA bakery ingredients and yeast markets.
• Define the long-term roadmap for the portfolio, including innovation pipelines, line extensions, and cost optimizations, with a 3-5 year outlook.
• Evaluate emerging trends (e.g., sustainability, plant-based baking, automation in bakeries) and recommend strategic adjustments to the portfolio.
• Collaborate with global R&D and Marketing teams to leverage global innovations and adapt them for MEA markets.
• Maintain the ideal core range of Bakery Solutions (Ingredients + Yeast) for the MEA region, ensuring alignment with business goals and local market needs.
• Prioritize projects (renovations, line extensions, cost optimizations) based on sales potential, profitability, and strategic fit.
• Track portfolio performance (sales, margin, market share) and recommend discontinuations or adjustments where needed.
• Work with Baking, Technical Application, Formulation, and Marketing to ensure product specifications, pricing, and positioning are optimized for MEA markets.

Project Execution:

• Define the strategic objectives for each project, ensuring alignment with portfolio roadmap and business goals.
• Identify high-impact projects that drive market differentiation, cost leadership, or customer loyalty in the MEA region.
• Develop project charters that outline scope, success criteria, risks, and resource requirements, with a focus on strategic outcomes.
• Monitor industry trends and competitive activity to adjust project priorities as needed.
• Present project updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership (e.g., business reviews, investment decisions).
• Lead cross-functional project teams (Formulation, Technical Application, Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory) to deliver Bakery Solutions projects on time and within budget.
• Drive projects from initiation to completion, ensuring clear milestones, risk management, and stakeholder alignment.
• Coordinate with local markets to adapt global solutions to regional needs (e.g., regulatory compliance, cultural preferences, cost constraints).
• Share project outcomes with the MEA region to support daily business operations (e.g., launch readiness, training needs, conversion rates).

Commercial Strategy & Marketing Collaboration (Promotor & Contributor Role):

• Identify and advocate for sales and commercial support needs, ensuring strategic alignment with portfolio goals.
• Define the strategic direction for sales tools, training, and customer engagement in collaboration with Marketing.
• Provide input and validation on product messaging, positioning, and go-to-market strategies to ensure technical accuracy and market relevance.
• Act as the bridge between technical teams (R&D, Baking, Formulation) and Marketing to ensure consistent and compelling communication.

Marketing’s role:

Promote & contribute to sales tools, including:

• Product datasheets, catalogues, and flyers (for both Ingredients and Yeast).
• Distributor brochures, recipe books, and application guides.
• Digital assets (videos, webinars, e-learning modules).
• Regional communication strategies, including regular newsletters with updates on new products, trends, and best practices & webinars, training sessions, and workshops for sales teams and customers.
• Creative content (videos, case studies, social media) in collaboration with agencies.

Support local teams in preparing customer seminars, workshops, and trade shows by providing technical content, demo materials, or speaker support.

Your collaboration with Marketing includes:

• Briefing Marketing on technical requirements, customer pain points, and regional nuances to ensure effective messaging.
• Reviewing and approving sales tools and training materials for technical accuracy and alignment with portfolio strategy.
• Providing feedback on customer engagement initiatives (e.g., seminars, webinars) to improve their impact.
• Monitoring the adoption and effectiveness of sales tools and training programs, and recommending improvements to Marketing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Sales: understand their needs and advocate for commercial tools.
• Baking & Technical Teams: ensure product feasibility and application support.
• Production & Quality: align on supply chain and compliance requirements.
• Marketing & Data Teams: leverage market insights for portfolio decisions.
• Act as a bridge between global teams and local markets, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

Training & Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide internal training to improve the team’s technical and product awareness (e.g., new formulations, yeast applications, consumer trends).
• Develop training materials (presentations, manuals, e-learning) in collaboration with Marketing and HR.
• Gather feedback from local teams to continuously improve portfolio offerings and commercial tools.

Qualifications:

You have 5+ years of experience in portofolio management, project execution or commercialization. Experiences in FMCG, CPG or bakery industry and knowlegde of bakery ingredients, yeast and baking applications are preferred. Experience in the MEA region and understanding of local market dynamics is a plus.

Hard Skills:

• Proven track record in delivering projects on time and within budget, with strategic impact
• Experience in commercialization, sales support, or marketing operations, with a strategic mindset
• Hands-on experience in defining sales tools, training needs, and go-to-market strategies
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools
• Basic design skills (Canva, Adobe Acrobat) for reviewing sales materials
• Experience with CRM or sales enablement platforms
• Fully fluent in English and French, other MEA languages are a plus

Soft Skills:

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strategic mindset
• Results and clients oriented
• Good team player at ease in a multi-cultural and expertise team

Additional Information:

Kindly note that frequent trips are to be planned within the MEA region (20-30%).

To join us is:

• Being part of an organization with human-centered values
• Sharing our mission of nourishing and protecting the planet
• Advancing your career in a diverse and rewarding work environment

At Lesaffre, diversity is a strength that enriches our culture and our teams. We are committed to offering you a work environment where you can thrive, regardless of your background, gender, age or abilities. We encourage all applications, as we believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to innovate and meet the challenges of tomorrow.