Cluster Leader – Ingredient Solutions, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Location: Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

dsm-firmenich is a global, purpose-led, science-based company active in Nutrition, Health, and Sustainable Living. Within our Taste, Texture & Health division, we combine scientific excellence with creativity to deliver market-leading ingredient solutions across multiple food categories.

As our successful Cluster Leader, you will drive the Ingredient Solutions business across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This is a senior commercial leadership role with full P&L responsibility, team management, distributor governance, and regional and global customer leadership across a diverse set of food categories.

In addition to your responsibilities in a cluster leadership role, you will also act in a Senior Account Manager capacity, directly managing a portfolio of customers and distributors, especially within Bakery, Confectionery, and Ingredient Processing Enzymes.

Your position will cover the full breadth of the Ingredient Solutions portfolio, including Bakery, Confectionery & Ingredient Processing Enzymes, Hydrocolloids, Dairy Solutions (i.e. Cultures, Biopreservation, Enzymes), Beverage Solutions (i.e. Colour Solutions, Vitamins & Premix, Enzymes).

Your key responsibilities:

Cluster Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing commercial team across all SSA markets.
• Manage segment responsibilities covering Dairy, Beverages, Bakery, Confectionery, Ingredient Processing Enzymes, and broader ISOL categories.
• Drive alignment between commercial, technical, marketing, regulatory, supply chain, and finance functions.
• Oversee capability building, performance reviews, and organizational development across the cluster.

P&L Ownership & Business Performance

• Own full ingredient Solutions SSA P&L, ensuring sustainable growth, margin expansion, and profitability.
• Manage pricing, forecasting, contribution margin, and opportunity pipeline.
• Provide strong business insights during BU reviews and strategic planning sessions.
• Optimize portfolio mix across all categories to improve financial outcomes.

Senior Account Management (Direct Responsibility)

• Full accountability for commercial results with assigned customers in Bakery, Confectionery, and Processing Enzymes.
• Lead commercial negotiations, application trials, and joint business plans with customers and distributors.

Distributor Management & Channel Strategy

• Manage distributor partners across SSA with clear performance KPIs.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews and ensure territory governance.
• Identify white-space opportunities and appoint new distributors where required.
• Align with regional and global channel strategies.

Regional & Global Customer Leadership

• Lead strategic engagement with regional and global customers across the entire ISOL portfolio.
• Drive multi-segment penetration and cross-selling across vitamins/premixes, enzymes, hydrocolloids, cultures, colors, and more.
• Coordinate multi-country strategies and customer activation programs.

Strategic Market & Portfolio Development

• Build a robust 3-year growth strategy for SSA.
• Identify emerging trends and translate into strategic actions.
• Drive innovation pipeline across all ingredient categories

We offer:

• A high-impact regional leadership role across a broad ingredient portfolio.
• Global exposure and cross-functional collaboration.
• The opportunity to work at the forefront of sustainable ingredient development.
• Opportunities for professional growth and impact in a socially and environmentally responsible company.

You bring:

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Business, Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology, or related fields.
• 10+ years’ commercial experience in food ingredients or related B2B sectors.
• Proven track record in team leadership, P&L ownership, distributor management, and regional customer development.
• Experience across enzymes, hydrocolloids, cultures, vitamins, colours is a strong advantage.
• Strong negotiation skills and strategic commercial mindset.
• Fluent in English. French or Portuguese would be an advantage.
• Readiness to travel extensively across SSA (>50%).

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s 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.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re 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’re essential to our future. 

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement
At 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 – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement:

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.