Manager, Ingredients Strategy

S'more About The Team

Hello Fresh is looking for a

Manager, Ingredient Strategy to join our Product Innovation team as the ultimate "Ingredient Expert." This role serves as the critical bridge between our Culinary and Procurement teams, ensuring that every item in our box meets the high standards of our recipes and our customer profile. You will be the guardian of our ingredient portfolio—from initial sensory testing and onboarding to long-term lifecycle management and optimization.

• Act as the Ingredient Expert:
  Serve as the primary bridge between Culinary and Procurement teams, advocating for the best possible ingredients to meet the specific needs of our recipes and diverse customer profiles.
• Drive New Ingredient Onboarding:
  Lead the end-to-end onboarding process, including the creation of ingredient briefs, strategic prioritization, and managing the gate review process to ensure seamless integration into our supply chain.
• Master Ingredient Lifecycle Management:
  Monitor and analyze the "health" of our ingredient portfolio; proactively identify opportunities for ingredient optimization, SKU rationalization, and offboarding while maintaining a pristine, up-to-date ingredient catalogue.
• Oversee Ingredient Testing:
  Lead sensory SKU evaluations and data management for all new ingredients. You’ll ensure that everything we source tastes great and performs perfectly in a home kitchen environment.
• Support RFPs & Tenders:
  Collaborate closely with the Procurement team to provide technical and sensory support for RFPs, ensuring that cost-savings never come at the expense of quality.
• Champion Ingredient Quality:
  Continuously evaluate customer and operational feedback to inform the development of new ingredients and the improvement of existing ones.
• Leverage Data Analytics:
  Work with cross-functional partners to build standardized reporting on ingredient performance, quality metrics, and portfolio health.
• All other duties, as assigned.

• 5+ years of professional experience in Ingredient Strategy, Product Development, Strategic Sourcing, or Category Management within the food industry.
• 4-year degree in Food Science, Culinary Management, Business, or a related field; an MBA or advanced culinary certification is a plus.
• Proven track record of managing complex ingredient portfolios and leading cross-functional projects between creative (Culinary) and commercial (Procurement) teams.
• Experience in Sensory Evaluation:
  You have a refined palate and the technical ability to translate "delicious" into a standardized ingredient specification.
• Deep understanding of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM):
  You know how to shepherd an ingredient from a brief to a warehouse shelf.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with data management; familiarity with ERP systems or Recipe Management software is a significant asset.
• You are:
  • A bridge-builder:
    You can speak "Chef" and "Buyer" fluently, aligning disparate goals toward a common mission.
  • Detail-oriented:
    You treat the ingredient catalogue with the precision of a scientist and the passion of a foodie.
  • A critical thinker:
    You use logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different ingredient solutions.
  • Proactive & Data-driven:
    You don’t wait for a quality issue to arise; you use data to stay ahead of the curve.
  • Thriving in pace:
    You enjoy a fast-moving environment where the menu is always evolving.

• Box Discount - Amazing discounts on 1 box per week! 75% discount on weekly Hello Fresh and Chefs Plate meal kits AND 50% off weekly Factor meal box.
• Health & Wellness - Health & Dental benefits from day 1, a Health Spending Account, unlimited access to the Headspace app to meet your self‑care needs, and 25% discount on Good Life fitness memberships!
• Vacation & PTO - Time off is also an important part of self‑care! We offer generous vacation and PTO to help you create a good work‑life balance.
• Family Benefits - A parental leave top‑up program for expectant parents.
• Growth & Development - We support your career progression, provide…