Head of Plant Based Nutrition

D; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work with passion

Take ownership

Grow your way

Thrive in a global environment

The team always wins

Job summary

Döhler is seeking a visionary Head of Plant-Based Nutrition to lead global sourcing, trading, and commodity management for plant-based ingredients. This executive role owns the end-to-end commercial strategy for proteins, grains, botanicals, and functional ingredients.

You will navigate volatile markets, design hedging frameworks, and secure resilient supply chains to fuel rapid scale-up. Collaboration with R&D and product teams drives cost-effective innovation.

Qualifications

• Education and advanced degree in relevant fields; MBA or Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive procurement or trading experience; 5+ years with agri-food commodities.
• Experience with global supply chains, regulatory knowledge (FDA/EFSA/GFSI/HACCP).
• Strong data analytics and ERP proficiency (SAP/Oracle).
• Proven ability to manage hedging, pricing, and supplier contracts.

Responsibilities

• Monitor global supply-demand, geopolitical shifts, and weather impacts on crops.
• Define and execute price hedging using forwards, futures, and formulas.
• Manage multi-million dollar spend and deliver accurate cost projections.
• Lead RFPs and complex negotiations with global suppliers.
• Source and build strategic supplier alliances in plant-based ingredients.
• Establish multi-source contingency plans to ensure supply continuity.
• Collaborate with R&D and product teams on cost-effective ingredients.
• Ensure FSQR standards: non-GMO, organic, vegan, allergen-free.
• Drive sustainable sourcing aligned with ESG goals.

Skills

Procurement & Trading

Commodity risk management

Global supply chain

Data analytics

Financial modeling

Negotiation & contract management

Communication & leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management

Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics

Bachelor’s degree in Finance

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

MBA or Master’s degree

Tools

SAP/Oracle ERP

Power BI

Financial modeling software

Job description

We are a global producer, marketer and provider of technology-driven natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions for the global food, beverage and life science & nutrition industry. We are all about mastering sensory experience and nutritional performance.

We offer exceptional opportunities for passionate people who want to shape the future of nutrition in an entrepreneurial and impact-driven environment. Here, you have the freedom to take ownership and to thrive both professionally and personally. Be part of a highly committed team with a clear purpose: at Döhler, smart ideas have a way of becoming great products.

Together, we bring ideas to life.

Job Description

We are seeking a visionary and commercially sharp Head of Plant-Based Nutrition to lead our global ingredient sourcing, trading, and commodity management portfolio. In this highly strategic executive role, you will own the end-to-end commercial strategy for plant-based proteins, grains, specialized botanicals, and functional ingredients within the Food and Beverage sector.

You will navigate volatile global commodity markets, design sophisticated hedging frameworks, and secure resilient supply chains to fuel our rapid scale-up. This role sits at the intersection of commercial trading, product innovation, and sustainable procurement.

Key Responsibilities

• Market Intelligence & Risk Management: Monitor global supply-demand dynamics, geopolitical shifts, and weather patterns affecting crops (e.g., peas, soy, oats, alternative grains). Translate these insights into highly actionable risk mitigation and cost-containment frameworks.
• Hedging & Financial Modeling: Define and execute complex price-hedging strategies, leveraging forward contracts, formula-based pricing, and financial futures to protect product margins against market volatility.
• Budget Accountability: Establish annual standard costs, manage multi-million dollar spend portfolios, and deliver accurate cost projections to senior finance leadership.
• Global Strategic Procurement: Lead request for proposals (RFPs) and complex contract negotiations with worldwide agricultural suppliers, brokers, and ingredient processors.
• Supplier Development: Source, qualify, and build deep strategic alliances with emerging tech and ingredient innovators in the plant-based ecosystem (e.g., protein isolates, novel binders, clean-label texturizers).
• Supply Assurance & Continuity: Establish a robust multi-source contingency matrix to prevent any raw-material disruptions across our complex manufacturing network.
• R&D & Product Launch Commercialization: Partner closely with Research & Development (R&D) and product formulation teams to introduce cost-effective, high-performance, and nutritionally optimal ingredients to pipeline projects.
• Regulatory & Quality Alignment: Collaborate with Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQR) to guarantee that all procured items maintain non-GMO, organic, vegan, and allergen-free standards.
• Sustainability & Impact Integration: Drive responsible sourcing initiatives, adhering to corporate ESG goals regarding deforestation, ethical labor practices, and sustainable agriculture.

Qualifications

Your Profile:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Food Science, or a related discipline. An MBA or Master's degree is highly preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive procurement or trading experience, with a minimum of 5 years explicitly managing agricultural food commodities and functional ingredients in the Food & Beverage or CPG industry.
• Trading Acumen: Proven track record of managing physical or financial commodity risk via complex hedging mechanisms.
• Industry Frameworks: Deep knowledge of global food supply chains, international trade regulations, and food safety standards (e.g., FDA, EFSA, GFSI, HACCP).
• Data & Analytics Mastery: High proficiency with ERP systems (like SAP or Oracle), advanced data analytics tools (such as Power BI), and financial modeling

Additional Information

#LI-GI1

What WeOffer:

• Work withpassion: We create an environment where passion meets profession. Meaningful work and positive energy inspire people to give their best and make lasting contribution to our shared success.
• Take ownership: We empower you to take ownership and share your ideas. Whatever your role, you have the opportunity to show initiative and make an impact.
• Grow yourway: With flexible development opportunities across departments and a global team, you can broaden your skills, discover new strengths and actively shape your career path.
• Thrive in a global environment: Join an international team bringing together multiple cultures, languages and perspectives to spark new ideas and inspiration. Through global collaboration, you expand your horizon both professionally and personally.
• The team always wins: 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.

EqualOpportunities for All

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds regardless of age, ancestry, disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity or expression, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, social background or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

A good match starts with shared values. Complete our Culture Fit Challenge to find out how well your mindset aligns with the way we work.