Contract Manufacturing Director

IFF; Leiden; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

IFF seeks a Director, Contract Manufacturing to provide strategic leadership for its external manufacturing network across Health & Biosciences from Leiden or other European hubs. You will drive performance, resilience, and value through a best-in-class external manufacturing strategy.

The role collaborates across a complex partner network to ensure a reliable, scalable supply base. This leadership position focuses on governance, supplier relationships, and long-term network planning to

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience across manufacturing, supply chain, external manufacturing, and operational excellence environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract manufacturing strategy, performance, and risk management, driving operational excellence across the external manufacturing network.
• Develop and continuously improve the contract manufacturer lifecycle framework to support long-term business growth, resilience, and supply continuity.
• Partner cross-functionally to evaluate make-versus-buy opportunities, assess supplier capabilities, and support long-range network and capacity planning.
• Develop sourcing and negotiation strategies for new and existing manufacturing partnerships, supporting key commercial and contractual decisions.
• Ensure external manufacturing partners deliver the capacity, capability, quality, and service levels required to meet evolving business needs.
• Establish and maintain robust governance processes covering intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance, contractual obligations, risk mitigation, and asset management.
• Lead, develop, and strengthen the Contract Manufacturing organization, advancing capabilities and best practices across the Probiotics, Cultures, and Enzymes business units.
• Drive strategic initiatives that enhance supply performance, supplier reliability, operational efficiency, and profitability through improved processes, systems, and data management.

Skills

Leadership

External manufacturing

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Job description

Are you passionate about building reliable, high-performing external manufacturing partnerships that protect supply, quality and business value?

IFF is a global leader in Flavors, Fragrances, and Health & Biosciences, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance everyday products and experiences around the world.

As Director, Contract Manufacturing, you will provide strategic leadership for IFF's contract manufacturing network across Health & Biosciences. You will drive operational performance, supply resilience, risk management, and long-term value creation by developing and executing a best-in-class external manufacturing strategy. Working across a complex global network of partners and stakeholders, you will play a critical role in ensuring a reliable, scalable, and competitive supply base that supports business growth.

This position can be based in one of our European hubs, preferably Leiden, Netherlands; Bruges, Belgium; or Lyngby, Denmark.

You will join a collaborative, forward-thinking operations organization committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence. Together, we challenge the status quo, build sustainable solutions, and create lasting impact across our business.

Where You'll Make a Difference

• Lead contract manufacturing strategy, performance, and risk management, driving operational excellence across the external manufacturing network.
• Develop and continuously improve the contract manufacturer lifecycle framework to support long-term business growth, resilience, and supply continuity.
• Partner cross-functionally to evaluate make-versus-buy opportunities, assess supplier capabilities, and support long-range network and capacity planning.
• Develop sourcing and negotiation strategies for new and existing manufacturing partnerships, supporting key commercial and contractual decisions.
• Ensure external manufacturing partners deliver the capacity, capability, quality, and service levels required to meet evolving business needs.
• Establish and maintain robust governance processes covering intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance, contractual obligations, risk mitigation, and asset management.
• Lead, develop, and strengthen the Contract Manufacturing organization, advancing capabilities and best practices across the Probiotics, Cultures, and Enzymes business units.
• Drive strategic initiatives that enhance supply performance, supplier reliability, operational efficiency, and profitability through improved processes, systems, and data management.

How You'll Stand Out

• Extensive leadership experience across manufacturing, supply chain, external manufacturing, and operational excellence environments.
• Proven ability to translate complex challenges into actionable strategies and business outcomes.
• Experience working with suppliers and contract manufacturers, with exposure to contract management, governance, auditing, and risk mitigation best practices.
• Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders and driving alignment across functions, regions, and organizational levels.
• Strategic mindset combined with a strong bias for execution, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to simplify complex topics and support effective decision-making.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and building organizational capabilities in a global environment.

Why Join Us?

• Shape the future of contract manufacturing strategy within IFF's Health & Biosciences business.
• Build resilient supplier partnerships that support business continuity, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth.
• Collaborate with a diverse global network across Supply Chain, Sourcing, Quality, Manufacturing Technology, Commercial, and Operations teams.
• Lead initiatives that drive operational excellence, digital enablement, and data-driven decision-making.
• Develop future talent and strengthen a critical organizational capability with broad business impact.
• Make a visible contribution to the growth, profitability, and long-term success of a global industry leader.