Head of Scientific Affairs

About Flora Food Group

We offer consumers a compelling choice in four growing categories: butters and spreads, creams, liquids and cheeses. We hold leadership positions in many of the 100 countries we operate in, with iconic brands including Flora, Becel+ProActiv, Blue Band, Country Crock, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Rama, and Violife, together with our local brands and Professional business.

Global branded food champion Flora Food Group, offers the next generation of delicious, natural, nutritious food. Our products are more affordable and more sustainable than their dairy equivalents.

Location: Wageningen

Hybrid

About the position

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of Scientific Affairs to join our global R&D Leadership Team. This pivotal role combines scientific advisory responsibilities with regulatory leadership, external representation, and nutrition strategy. You will serve as a senior advisor to the Executive Committee, lead regulatory advocacy efforts, and shape our corporate nutrition policy, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of compliance, innovation, and consumer trust. You will lead the Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition teams, working closely with functional leaders across marketing, supply chain, legal, and communications, while effectively managing senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities: 

Management & Leadership 

• Act as senior scientific advisor to the Executive Committee. 

• Represent the company externally in research consortia, government bodies, trade associations, and media. 

• Lead the global Regulatory and Nutrition team; and  

• Serve as a core member of the R&D Leadership Team. 

Regulatory Affairs 

Adept at advising a global business on a range of Regulatory matters impacting the products we sell, balancing the requirement to be compliant with rules and standards yet creative enough to push boundaries.  

• Lead and deliver global regulatory advocacy programs, including engagement with international standards bodies (e.g., Codex Alimentarius, ISO, PAS). 

• Represent company interests in technical committees of trade associations (e.g., IMACE, FEDIOL). 

• Provide direct regulatory input to government bodies on technical matters. 

Nutrition Strategy 

• Define and implement the corporate nutrition policy and related standards. 

• Provide scientific substantiation for claims and explore new claim opportunities enhancing the competitiveness of our portfolio 

• Develop and maintain tools for portfolio. 

• Contribute to academic research and publications in collaboration with external partners. 

• Monitor and advise on scientific developments related to ultra-processed foods (UPF) 

So what does it take to be successful in this role?  

• Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in Nutrition, Food Science, Regulatory Affairs, or related field.

• Proven track record in regulatory affairs, scientific advisory, and external stakeholder engagement – 15 years+ and FMCG experience (or similar sector) preferred.

• Strong understanding of international food regulations and standards (sector specific welcome but not essential), and nutrition science.

• Proven track record of working with trade associations, regulatory bodies, and scientific communities and recognised for ‘thought leadership’ in this space.

• Passion for developing and growing a cohesive, international team.

• Strategic, creative thinker with the ability and confidence to identify opportunities.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

What’s Next? 

If this position sounds interesting, please hit the apply button now! For questions, contact Elif Kocoglu, Talent Acquisition, via email at [email protected]

🌱 Join us at Flora Food Group, where we are pioneering the next generation of delicious, natural, nutritious food.

We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles. 

Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.

No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.