Head of Group 3rd Party Manufacturing; m​/f​/d

Head of Group 3rd Party Manufacturing (m/f/d)

Reference : 42556

Are you interested in high-quality, natural, and tasty nutrition?

We are! It’s our ambition to shape the future of nutrition.

Döhler is a leading global producer of natural ingredients and solutions for the food, beverage, lifestyle and nutrition industries. We use innovative technology to process plant-based raw materials and enrich products such as lifestyle drinks, cereals, dairy, and confectionery goods for almost every well-known brand. Close to 10.000 dedicated employees in more than 70 countries share one common goal - to ensure that millions of people around the world enjoy the products created by us.

We strive to inspire and empower our employees in everything we do, and we invite you to join our team – together WE BRING IDEAS TO LIFE.

The
Head of Group Third Party Manufacturing will be responsible for developing and leading the company’s third‑party manufacturing strategy, ensuring a robust and efficient supply chain, and driving operational excellence across all contract manufacturers. This position requires a deep understanding of third‑party manufacturing, global supply chain management, and strong leadership skills to manage relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the global third‑party manufacturing operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency across all partners
• Develop and execute strategies to optimize production processes, cost management, and supplier performance
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with contract manufacturers, ensuring compliance with contracts, quality standards, and timelines
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless integration of third‑party manufacturing into the company’s broader supply chain strategy
• Monitor and manage the performance of third‑party manufacturers, including quality, delivery, and cost metrics, to ensure compliance with service level agreements
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, cost reduction, and innovation within the third‑party manufacturing network
• Accompany negotiations with third‑party manufacturing partners if necessary
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, ethical standards, and sustainability initiatives in third‑party manufacturing
• Prepare regular reports for senior leadership on the performance of third‑party manufacturing activities, risks, and opportunities
• Forecasting and Inventory Management:
  Coordinate with sales and operations teams to anticipate product demands and manage inventory levels at third‑party manufacturing sites
• Continuous Improvement:
  Implement initiatives and best practices to enhance efficiency within the third‑party manufacturing network
• Stakeholder Communication:
  Facilitate clear communication between company departments and third‑party manufacturers to ensure alignment and timely response to issues
• Crisis Management:
  Prepare for and respond to unforeseen challenges or disruptions in the third‑party manufacturing process to ensure continuity of supply

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in supply chain management or operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing third‑party manufacturing
• Strong experience in managing global third‑party manufacturing operations, preferably in FMCG
• Excellent communication, and relationship management skills
• In‑depth knowledge of quality assurance processes, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices
• Ability to lead and inspire cross‑functional teams and work collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and decision‑making skills
• Culture:
  Friendly and informal atmosphere, family‑owned company, flat hierarchies, short communication channels, and helpful colleagues
• Impact:
  You are an integral part of our business success and make an important contribution to the future of nutrition
• Empowerment:
  You can fully unleash your potential and have the opportunity to take on responsibilities
• Digitalization:
  …