Head of Application Development Food (m/f/d)

AB Enzymes, as a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, is a leading company in the innovation and production of enzymes worldwide. Operating in the biotechnology industry we are an important partner for customers in the application of food, animal feed and industrial enzymes. With our expertise in the global enzymes business, we help our customers to make their industrial processes more sustainable, environmentally friendly and efficient. Product excellence and innovation are among our key strengths while our passion for science and customer-focused solutions is what drives us.

Our global headquarters are in Darmstadt, Germany with offices and lab spaces. We closely cooperate with our partnering business ROAL Oy in Finland (located north of Helsinki) where our enzymes are being produced and researched. We are striving to leverage our strong growth prospects, state-of-the-art R&D, flat structure, and a thriving and employee-focused culture to bring on board talents who are motivated to contribute to our collective success, develop themselves, and want to make a real difference. For more information visit our website www.abenzymes.com.

As Head of Application Development Food you will contribute to our continuous application development.

You will be joining our Food Enzymes Business team that is located in Germany, Darmstadt. This team works closely with Sales and R&D and includes both Application Development and Product Management. Key industries the Food business is involved in are related to processing of Fruits, Grains and Proteins covering several and highly diverse application areas. Your key responsibilities will be:

• Driving and expanding the current food application lab at our headquarters in Germany into a department that supports the business, offering enzyme-based solutions that bring value to our customers

• Working closely with R&D, Project Management Office and the industries on new product de-velopment, you will play a key role in developing products and applications within the food en-zymes business

• Leading the Application Development team, manage resources and budget

• Manage the activities for creating own and analysing competitor IP

• Drive external collaborations with universities and industry associations to strengthen the inno-vation pipeline

• Participate at international tradeshows to represent and maintain a high-quality network with technical leaders in the various industries that we serve

• Contribute to the general strategy development and decision-making in the Food Business

• You have solid technical understanding based on an academic education, preferably in food technol-ogy, biochemistry, chemistry, or natural sciences. Previous lab experience is essential

• You are an outgoing personality, good interpersonal and communication skills, and proven leadership skills are essential

• You bring work experience of at least 5 years in in one or several industries within the business line and experience with industrial enzymes

• You demonstrate the ability to effectively translate between technology and customer needs

• You have a strong network in the international food science and biotech community

• You are characterised by a customer-focused and communicative personal style

• You think in organizational and conceptual terms, with the ability to prioritize and plan on a strategic and tactical level

• You are a good presenter who can deliver complex topics in a clear and structured way to deliver easy to understand messages to various stakeholders

• You are characterised by flexibility, team spirit, and results orientation

• You are open to international travel (20%)

• An opportunity in an exciting and growing industry with business development prospects which are based on a future proof & sustainable technology

• An international working environment with the chance to further develop yourself personally and professionally

• A challenging and multifaceted employment opportunity with long-term perspective in a fast-growing leading company in the enzyme industry

• A progressive, team-oriented management which supports you through open communication and accessibility

• A modern, creative and innovative company that achieves success through its people

• Competitive compensation and benefits package

• You will find a collaborative and open-minded culture, flat hierarchies and a ‘people first’ attitude

• Future career opportunities through our ABF network

• The possibility to mobile working