Integral project leader - global | Amsterdam

Ofi; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary incentive scheme

Flexible working hours

25 Vacation days per annum

Home/work travel allowance

Company pension scheme

Collective medical insurance

Company fitness

Bike scheme

Collective insurances

Job summary

Ofi is seeking an Integral Project Leader to transform innovation opportunities into market-ready cocoa ingredients and processing technologies. You will connect R&D, Manufacturing, Commercial, and Leadership teams to deliver lasting value for customers and the business.

In this high-impact global role, you will lead cross-functional teams, define scope, manage risks and budgets, and report to the global IEC Head.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Industrial Engineering and Management or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ project management experience in B2B food, specialty chemical, or pharma sectors.
• Commercial mindset with ability to engage senior management and translate strategy into action.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross‑functional innovation projects from concept to market readiness.
• Define scope, objectives, plans, timelines, and deliverables.
• Identify risks and mitigation actions; monitor progress and adjust as needed.
• Maintain clear communication with stakeholders, customers, and teams.
• Lead and inspire teams; ensure roles and responsibilities are understood.
• Track progress, manage budget and expenses within limits.
• Translate technical and business requirements across functions.
• Report status to global Cocoa steering committee and IEC Head.
• Support evolving PMO function and develop competence of IEC and global PLs.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Change agility

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MSc in Industrial Engg & Management

Tools

ERP

CRM

IP management software

Job description

The role

At ofi Cocoa, innovation is at the heart of how we create value for customers and drive sustainable growth. As Integral Project Leader, you will play a key role in transforming innovation opportunities into successful commercial solutions, driving strategic projects that bring innovative cocoa ingredients and processing technologies from concept to market.

This is a high-impact global role where you will connect R&D, Manufacturing, Commercial and Leadership teams, ensuring innovation projects deliver lasting value impact for our customers and our business. You will work closely with senior stakeholders while leading cross-functional teams through the complexities of product and technology development.

What you'll do

• Lead innovation projects regarding new product launches or improvements in processing technology. Integral project teams are typically composed of subproject leaders representing IEC (R&D), Manufacturing, and Commercial functions.
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables, develop project plans, and establish timelines and milestones
• Identify potential risks, developing mitigation strategies, and monitoring potential issues.
• Building and Maintaining clear and consistent communication with stakeholders, team members, and management including customers for validation.
• Leading and inspiring project teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring team members understand their roles and responsibilities
• Tracking project progress, identifying deviations from the plan, and taking corrective actions as needed
• Ensuring that the project deliverables meet the defined quality standards, managing project budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring the project stays within financial constraints
• Act as a key connector between technical and business teams, translating requirements and ensuring alignment throughout the project lifecycle
• Reporting on project status to global Cocoa steering committee and functional reporting line to global IEC (R&D) Head of ofi Cocoa
• The role will also be part-time, leading the evolving PMO function
  • Competence development of the IEC and global PL’s
  • Advancing project management working methods and tooling
  • Being the trusted partner for the IEC and Global Program Manager (preparing project steering committees and improving way of working)

Requirements

• A MSc degree in Industrial Engineering and Management, Food Technology or Chemical Engineering.
• A business and commercial attitude and drive is important. An additional MBA or equivalent commercial education is advantageous
• Proven capability as project manager in the B2B food-, specialty chemical or pharmaceutical industry, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience
• Confident and resilient professional, able to act as a credible sparring partner for ofi Cocoa Senior Management
• Innovation management skills including dealing with uncertainty in projects and decision-making
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks.
• Proven leadership skills in project management to translate the company's growth aspirations into tangible actions and KPIs
• Understanding product development from customer inspiration to winning projects.
• Passion for cocoa ingredients, food applications, processing technologies, and creating business value through innovation
• Entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to inspire the team, combining intelligence, agility, creativity, and a proactive mindset.
• Able to identify and resolve issues, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Integrity, inclusiveness, and respect for internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and social skills, with proficiency in spoken and written English
• Basic level understanding of ERP, CRM and Project Management software and IP management
• Willingness to travel (20%)

At ofi you will get a position in one of the fastest growing and most sustainable companies in the food and agri-industry. You will have a high responsibility and will start in a very entrepreneurial, open and informal organization with regular social events.

Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Discretionary incentive scheme;
• Flexible working hours;
• 25 Vacation days per annum and opportunity to buy 10 extra;
• Home/work travel allowance;Company pension scheme;
• Collective medical insurance with company contribution;
• Company fitness;
• Company sponsored bike scheme;
• Collective insurances.

Requirements

• A MSc degree in Industrial Engineering and Management, Food Technology or Chemical Engineering.
• A business and commercial attitude and drive is important. An additional MBA or equivalent commercial education is advantageous
• Proven capability as project manager in the B2B food-, specialty chemical or pharmaceutical industry, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience
• Confident and resilient professional, able to act as a credible sparring partner for ofi Cocoa Senior Management
• Innovation management skills including dealing with uncertainty in projects and decision-making
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks.
• Proven leadership skills in project management to translate the company's growth aspirations into tangible actions and KPIs
• Understanding product development from customer inspiration to winning projects.
• Passion for cocoa ingredients, food applications, processing technologies, and creating business value through innovation
• Entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to inspire the team, combining intelligence, agility, creativity, and a proactive mindset.
• Able to identify and resolve issues, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Integrity, inclusiveness, and respect for internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and social skills, with proficiency in spoken and written English
• Basic level understanding of ERP, CRM and Project Management software and IP management
• Willingness to travel (20%)