Head of Product & Innovation

About vly

We are vly. We develop plant-based alternatives to dairy products with better nutritional values – scientifically sound instead of hype. Our milk alternatives made from pea protein and yogurt alternatives made from fava bean protein are available in over 10,000 stores in Germany (including dm, REWE, EDEKA, Kaufland).

The Role

„Make products people love“ – as Head of Product & Innovation, you will be responsible for our entire product development from idea to shelf. You will lead a team of 7 people in three functions – Development, Product Management, and Research – report directly to Nicolas, Co-founder & CEO, and be part of vly’s Leadership Team.

What makes the role special:

• Own laboratory including pilot plant: We produce our prototypes ourselves – UHT milk alternatives as well as fermented yogurt alternatives – in our own laboratory in Berlin-Mitte

• End-to-end product ownership: From seed to exchange with the end consumer. 20% of our business is D2C – consumer feedback in days instead of months, through systematic interviews, A/B tastings, and a tester community with over 3,000 members.

• Pioneering role in plant-based proteins & fermentation: The first yogurt made from fava bean protein came from us. Our research function drives fermentation and protein science forward together with partner universities. For example, we have patented our own starter cultures for fermentation.

Your Responsibilities

• Development: You will be responsible for the development of excellent, nutrient-rich products from idea to market readiness – including laboratory, pilot plant, and sensory analysis. You will anchor rapid prototyping and fast feedback loops as a standard working method.

• Product Management: You will structure our product roadmap, prioritize the portfolio, and establish clear, binding project management.

• Research: You will manage our research on fermentation, protein science, and new ingredients – including collaborations with partner universities and the acquisition of public grants.

• Leadership: You will lead and develop the three functions with currently 7 employees and represent Product & Innovation in the Leadership Team.

Your Benefits

• Become part of our mission: Join us in transforming the food industry. Making it healthier, more sustainable, and more ethical.

• A fascinating industry - Dairy products are found in almost every household, oat milk and blood sugar are omnipresent on social media, and the importance of health is constantly growing.

• Power to shape: Leadership team role with a direct line to the founders – your decisions shape the product portfolio.

• Team & Culture: Regular vly Days and offsites; daily freshly cooked team lunch by our own vly chef.

• Mobility & Fitness: Subsidy for the Deutschland-Ticket and USC membership.

• vly Flatrate: As much vly as you want.

• Passion for Food: You instinctively turn products around in the supermarket, read ingredient lists and nutritional information, and understand what makes a good product.

• Product Leadership: 5+ years of leadership experience in R&D / product development, ideally with team building in a startup or scale-up environment.

• FoodTech Expertise: Deep know-how in food technology and plant-based proteins; experience with fermentation and/or structured experimental design.

• Consumer Focus: You think from the end consumer's perspective – ideally with experience in qualitative & quantitative consumer research, consumer testing, and sensory analysis.

• Clarity & Focus: Excellent prioritization; direct, precise communication.

• Drive: Energy and resilience at scale-up pace.

• Languages & Location: Very good German, good English. Homebase Berlin; at least 3 days/week in the office/laboratory, the rest flexible.

Find more English Speaking Jobs in Germany on Arbeitnow