Givaudan is the global leader in the creation of flavours and fragrances. In close collaboration with food, beverage, consumer product and fragrance partners, Givaudan develops tastes and scents that delight consumers the world over. With a passion to understand consumers' preferences and a relentless drive to innovate, Givaudan is at the forefront of creating flavours and fragrances that 'engage your senses'. The Company achieved sales of CHF 6.2 billion in 2019. Headquartered in Switzerland with local presence in over 145 locations, the company has almost 14,969 employees worldwide. Givaudan invites you to discover more at www.givaudan.com.
As Senior Category Technical Manager (m/f/d) in Nutrition you will lead global science and technology programs linked to nutrition. You will build new research programs to allow the development and commercialization of natural nutrients (with a focus on vitamins and proteins).
You will translate the business needs into a technical strategy resulting in projects that range from new dietary ingredient development to their proof of efficacy on human physiology based on nutrition data and knowledge. You will manage the technical category team to meet the milestones. As category sponsor you will also guide all innovation projects in the category towards commercialization. You will be based in Kemptthal and report directly to the Head of Explore Health & Nutrition, who is based in the USA.
You will:
Strategy Management
- Build the technical strategy, state-of-the art landscape and roadmap for the Natural Nutrition category in agreement with the category strategy
- Review competitors, intellectual property and regulatory landscape as part of the exercise to identify gaps, needs and constraints
- Provide a view of how to best use Science and Technology foundation projects in nutrition to deliver the strategy, including but not limited to nutrition data science and bioavailability studies
- Review innovation roadmaps with our regional partner to gain regional approval and validation with local markets
- Monitor progress of programs for the technical category innovation portfolio
Innovation Management
- Identify external partners and work with functional heads to incorporate new external technologies in the innovation portfolio
- Build an understanding of micro and macronutrient bioavailability and ways to enhance it when applicable
- Consults and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to build food experience opportunities
- Connects and identifies relevant and disruptive technologies (internal and external) to the platform needs with a holistic approach to food solution
Team Management
- Manage a group of Scientific Employees
- Recruit new talents
- Set targets, reviews, performance evaluations and talent evaluations for the team
- Develop Scientists concerning functional competencies
Partner Management
- Collaborate with departments inside and outside of Science and Technology
- Provide support and training to regional commercial innovation teams at the time of technical roll-out and commercial launches
- Provide input to Science and Technology Functional Heads and Flavors Patent Committee
- Collaborate cross-platform to support enhancement of taste solutions that lead to a nutritional outcome
- Create accessible tools that can be used by other functions to access easily nutrition science to boost innovation
- Collaborate with the regulatory department and consumer insights to ensure the technologies developed answer specific needs regarding ingredient labeling and claims
- Support the ingredient registration strategy worldwide
- Establish collaborations with subject matter experts outside of the company to bridge technical gaps and remain at the state-of-the-art
Be contact for technical aspects
- Be the contact person for the whole organization for any technical aspects relating to nutrition
- Be responsible for translation of nutrition science into communication material to be used internally and externally
- Main contact for technical issues for main customers
You have:
- PhD in Food Science and Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Public Health or Metabolic Biology
- 10+ years of experience in a similar role in the food industry
- Experience leading scientists and science programs
- Knowledge in micronutrient (vitamins, specialty lipids) and macronutrients (proteins) function and bioavailability
- Experienced in delivering nutrition innovation in food and beverages
- Experience with market trends in the field, competitive landscapes and regulatory framework
- Experience demonstrating ability to Lead, Inspire and Grow people /teams
- Demonstrated experience connecting market needs with new product solutions from concept ideation to successful launch
- Eagerness to take on a new challenge in a strategic category that is new to the company with a high projected growth
- Business Fluent in English; additional languages are of advantage
Your benefits in Kemptthal:
- Excellent opportunities for progressive learning and development
- 40 hour working week, Flexible working model and Home office (if applicable)
- Additional paid days off
- Favorable pension fund contributions
- Subsidized meals in the Staff restaurant / You benefit from a discounted catering offer (incl. lunch)
- Sport and leisure club (amenities/showers on site)
- Discounts at the company shop
- Free Staff Parking and Bike Badge
- Subsidized: REKA vouchers and SBB half fare travelcard
- Complimentary beverages (tea, coffee, water)
- Worldwide private accident coverage and free choice of hospital
- Worldwide private accident insurance
- Additional family/education allowance (if applicable)