Head of Product & Innovation (All Genders)

Job description

YOU & AHEAD At ahead, we are on a mission to clean up the world's candy drawers. We make the snacks everyone actually craves: chocolate bars, protein bars, wafers, cookies, gummies, reformulated with up to 90 % less sugar and zero compromise on taste. We are a 120-person team based in Hamburg, with our own lab, a 170+ SKU portfolio, and ambitious growth plans across DACH and new European markets. We are looking for a Head of Product & Innovation to own our commercial product strategy, lead the team across Product Development, R&D, and Quality Management, work closely with the founders, and build the function that drives ahead's next chapter. Are you a hands-on product leader from the food or FMCG world who has managed complex portfolios, built innovation structures from scratch, and knows what it takes to get a product from idea to shelf? Do you make fast decisions, communicate clearly, and thrive when you are building rather than just managing? If so, we would love to get to know you! YOUR TASKS Commercial Product Strategy: You own the full innovation roadmap across retail, D2C, Amazon, and international expansion. You decide what to launch, what to keep, and what to phase out. You build business cases per SKU and category, including financial modelling and assortment strategy In-House Product Development: You lead ahead's in-house sample development: raw material selection, flavour development, recipe iteration, and tasting. You steer industrialisation from hand sample to series production. You audit new suppliers and assess new sweeteners, protein sources, and functional ingredients together with R&D and Procurement Portfolio Management: You professionally manage a 170+ SKU portfolio. You implement stage-gate processes, run SKU performance reviews, and drive data-driven commercial forecasting per SKU and category Leadership & Organisation: You lead and develop 3 direct reports across Product Development, R&D, and Quality Management. You build scalable processes that reduce founder involvement over time. You align Management, Sales, and Marketing on product priorities and actively use AI for market analysis, forecasting, and documentation YOUR PROFILE You have 5+ years of experience in FMCG or food product development, including at least 2 years in a leadership role. You have managed complex portfolios, built innovation pipelines, and led teams in a fast-moving environment Experience in food or FMCG is mandatory. You understand physical product development from the inside: raw materials, flavour systems, supplier relationships, manufacturing realities. You have been in the lab, at the tasting table, and in the supplier meeting. You are not just directing from a distance You have managed 80+ SKUs or led product development in a fast-scaling food company. You are comfortable with stage-gate processes, data-driven decision-making, and SKU-level financial modelling. You actively use AI and digital tools to scale your work You communicate with precision. You make decisions fast and follow through. You build teams, not dependencies WHAT MAKES YOUR PROFILE COMPLETE Experience in better-for-you, functional food, or confectionery Familiarity with international expansion and country-specific product localisation Background in category management, commercial forecasting, or retail key account collaboration AND WHY AHEAD? Working at ahead is more than just a job - it’s your opportunity to develop as a professional and as a person, while shaping the future of snacking. Our mission is to make low sugar the new standard, and we pour that ambition into every product we create. You’ll become part of a team where international talent, startup drive, real impact, and true ownership come together. Hypergrowth Environment: If you're looking for greenfield, creative freedom, and real impact, you're in the right place. We're a team that is scaling fast - with purpose Great Workspace: A central office in the heart of Hamburg near the Alster, top equipment (MacBook), snacks, drinks, plenty of ahead products - and yes, a ping-pong table. We’re also pet-friendly, so you can always bring your furry friend along Amazing Team: Young, international, ambitious - inspiring colleagues who collaborate, support each other, and genuinely enjoy working together Career Growth: Develop through cross-functional projects, structured feedback cycles, and a steep learning curve in a dynamic, high growth environment. We offer a fair, attractive salary with role-dependent bonus opportunities Great Benefits: Fuel yourself with ahead snacks, drinks, and merch - we’ve got you covered. On top: a €50 monthly allowance to spend as you like - Urban Sports Club, mobility options, or vouchers from your favorite brands (IKEA, Rewe, Rossmann and more) Vacation Days: Enjoy 28 vacation days plus two extra days off on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Year’s Eve) Events & Offsites: Regular after-work hangouts and legendary annual team offsites you won’t forget This role is based in Hamburg, with the flexibility of up to 2 home office days per week and the option to work from abroad for agreed upon periods. If this resonates with you, we're excited to go ahead with you! Disclaimer ahead GmbH is an equal opportunity workplace and is devoted to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.