Innovation (Associate) Director Beverages, Ingredient Solutions

Location: Delft (the Netherlands) \nTravelling: up to 20% in Europe and US\n\n \nThe TTH Innovation team at dsm-firmenich discovers breakthrough ingredients and designs smart, future fit production processes. We turn ideas into impact by bringing together the best of R\u0026D, application, marketing, manufacturing, and product management. Our scientists, technicians and application experts work side by side to push innovation forward while boosting performance and efficiency in our plants. We focus on high growth segments such as beverages, dairy, bakery, and pet food\u2014shaping the next generation of food solutions.\n\nTo further strengthen our Beverages segment, we are seeking an Innovation (Associate) Director who will help build a bold, strategically aligned innovation roadmap that delivers truly differentiated solutions for beverage customers worldwide.\n\nKEY RESPONSIBILITIES \n\u2022 Develop and deliver the Beverage innovation strategy, aligning it with the Beverage segment strategy and ensuring a strong pipeline of commercially relevant projects. \n\u2022 Manage the full innovation project portfolio, steering projects from ideation to launch and coordinating activities across R\u0026D, Application, Nutrition Sciences, Regulatory, Marketing, Sales, and Manufacturing \n\u2022 Create new ingredient and application concepts that address customer needs and showcase the combined value of ingredients, taste, and technology. \n\u2022 Collaborate with internal and external partners, including Venturing, startups, ingredient categories, and key beverage customers, to identify opportunities and accelerate innovation. \n\u2022 Lead the innovation process, including chairing the Beverages Innovation Board, setting project priorities, and overseeing resource allocation and budget decisions. \n\u2022 Support global and regional customer engagement, contributing to strategic discussions, preparing innovation content, and ensuring strong alignment with major accounts. \n\u2022 Ensure quality, safety, and process compliance, working with QESH and other stakeholders to maintain high standards across innovation activities.\n\n \nWE BRING \n\u2022 Unique career paths across health, nutrition and beauty - explore what drives you and get the support to make it happen. \n\u2022 A chance to impact millions of consumers every day \u2013 sustainability embedded in all we do. \n\u2022 A science led company, cutting edge research and creativity everywhere \u2013 from biotech breakthroughs to sustainability game-changers, you\u2019ll work on what\u2019s next. \n\u2022 Growth that keeps up with you \u2013 you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership. \n\u2022 A culture that lifts you up \u2013 with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on. \n\u2022 A community where your voice matters \u2013 it is essential to serve our customers well.\n\nCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITS\n\nBased on your experience, we offer a competitive base salary ranging from \u20ac115\u2019000 - \u20ac140\u2019000 per year (including holiday allowance and 13th month). Additional benefits include: \n\u2022 25 holidays \n\u2022 Bonus opportunities \n\u2022 Option to buy more holiday days with a 6.11% My Choice budget \nAnd much more!\n\nYOU BRING \n\u2022 Educational background in Food Science, Nutritional Science, Biotechnology or a related field. \n\u2022 Minimum 5 years of experience in innovation, project management or program management within the food or food ingredients industry, preferably in B2B environments. \n\u2022 Industry experience in beverages is required; knowledge of microbiome, health \u0026 well being is a strong plus. \n\u2022 Proven track record in leading end-to-end innovation projects - from ideation to market launch - across multiple functions (R\u0026D, application, marketing, manufacturing, and commercial). \n\u2022 Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills, capable of navigating cross-functional priorities and aligning diverse teams toward shared project goals. \n\u2022 Creative and entrepreneurial mindset, able to translate market and customer needs into a clear innovation strategy and maintain a healthy innovation pipeline\n\nABOUT DSM-FIRMENICH \nAt dsm-firmenich, we don\u2019t just meet expectations \u2013 we go beyond them. \nJoin our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life. \n \nFrom elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions \u2013 every single day. Whether it\u2019s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that\u2019s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.\n\nAnd while you\u2019re making a difference, we\u2019ll make sure you\u2019re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They\u2019re essential to our future. \n\nBecause real progress only happens when we go beyond, together. \n\nAPPLICATION PROCESS \nInterested in this position? Please apply on-line by uploading your resume in English via our career portal, latest by the 20th of April 2025. Due to data privacy reasons, we do not handle any applications sent by email. Please be so kind to use the link provided. \nPre-employment screenings are part of our recruitment process. You will be informed during the process what is expected of you. \n\nINCLUSION, BELONGING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT\n\nAt dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work \u2013 and that\u2019s exactly the kind of culture we\u2019re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.\n\nWe\u2019re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we\u2019re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we\u2019re committed to reflecting the world we serve.\n\nWe welcome candidates from all backgrounds \u2014 no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.\n\nAnd if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we\u2019re here to help \u2013 just let us know what you need, and we\u2019ll do everything we can to make it work. \n\nAGENCY STATEMENT\n\nWe\u2019re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you\u2019re applying as an individual, we\u2019d love to hear from you. We\u2019re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.\n