CEO (Amsterdam)

M3 Human Capital Management; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 750 000; Full time

Job summary

A premium chocolate ingredients company is searching for a CEO to lead its growth. The ideal candidate will possess 10–15 years of senior leadership experience within premium food & beverage sectors, with the ability to drive commercial strategies and build relationships across diverse markets. Fluency in English and German is essential. The role emphasizes sustainable supply and strong brand management. Interested applicants should apply before January 9, 2026.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of senior leadership experience in premium F&B or related B2B sectors.
• Strong sense of brand positioning and customer support.
• Comfortable navigating diverse stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Shape and drive the company’s commercial strategy.
• Lead all commercial activities across B2B and foodservice.
• Ensure sustainable supply and guide product teams.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in premium F&B

Proven success in scaling brands

Commercial and financial understanding

Entrepreneurial mindset

Stakeholder relationship management

Collaborative team player

Fluent in English and German

Job description

Overview

Our client, a premium, mission-driven chocolate ingredients company is looking for a CEO to lead its next phase of growth. Known for exceptional single-varietal couvertures, world-class quality, and deeply rooted sustainable sourcing, the business enters this stage with a strong brand, solid supply chains, healthy profitability, and growing demand across premium B2B channels. The organisation is open to international candidates who are willing to relocate to Amsterdam.

Responsibilities

• Shape and drive the company’s commercial strategy, focusing on where the business can win and grow


• Lead all commercial activities across B2B, foodservice, makers, and select retail/DTC channels, building strong, relationship-driven growth


• Strengthen the premium ingredient brand by turning its unique sourcing story into clear, effective B2B2C marketing across both high-touch and digital channels


• Ensure sustainable, reliable supply from origin to customer, and guide product and supply teams toward a focused, profitable portfolio


• Build and develop a strong team, fostering a high-performance, mission-driven culture with clear accountability


• Partner closely with the board on strategy while owning day-to-day leadership and results

Essential qualifications, skills, and experience

• 10–15 years’ of senior leadership experience in premium F&B or related B2B sectors — where brand, quality, storytelling and purpose matter;


• Proven success in scaling boutique or craft brands in competitive markets, with a strong sense of brand positioning and how to support customers’ brands;


• Solid commercial and financial understanding, including P&L responsibility;


• Entrepreneurial mindset — pragmatic, hands-on, and results-oriented in a lean, mission-driven setup;


• Comfortable navigating diverse stakeholder relationships — from farmers and artisan customers to investors and NGO partners;


• Humble, honest, collaborative — thriving in a multicultural, multilingual environment;


• A natural storyteller and brand ambassador, committed to growing impact through commerce;


• Fluent in English and German — Dutch or Spanish skills a plus.

Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 9 January 2026.

For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on 021 863 1444.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.

With 33 years’ experience in the HR and labour consultation industry, a 99.7% wage negotiation success rate and the pleasure of recruiting twelve of the previous fifteen General Jan Smuts winemaker trophy winners, our team have established themselves as an respected, trustworthy and committed HR partner to every one of our more than 900 clients.

Today’s economic trends have forced many companies and individuals to downsize or reorganize their human capital in order to meet their bottom line goals. We provide flexible and sustainable end-to-end solutions that empower companies and individuals to:

Create and maintain a motivated and productive workforce;
Make effective decisions about people, strategy and structure;
Maximising return on investment in human capital.

If you are seeking a trustworthy, reliable and committed service then do not hesitate to contact us. At M3 Human Capital Management we value our clients highly and excellent service is what we guarantee and strive for.