Key Skills

Job Description

Are you deeply passionate about the future of food, agri-tech, and ingredient innovation? Do you bridge the gap between high-level corporate strategy, complex technical R&D, and end-to-end venture building? We are looking for a Venture Lead to take total ownership of our largest corporate client relationship—a global leader in the food ingredients space. This is not a single project, but a multi-region portfolio spanning parallel workstreams across diverse business units (including animal nutrition, food solutions, cocoa and chocolate, and protein). As Venture Lead, you will serve as the strategic lead, commercial engine, and hands-on driver for engagements ranging from blank-sheet strategy to full venture execution. You will take ownership of growing this flagship account, expanding the portfolio, and delivering high-impact projects. What You Will Do AgriFood Strategy & Venture Architecture: Lead strategy engagements from a "blank sheet of paper," translating complex market shifts into actionable strategic roadmaps and new corporate venture concepts Venture Design & Execution Oversight: Design, validate, and build new ventures using desirability, feasibility, and viability frameworks. Coordinate cross-functional teams across strategy, design, and technical build to accelerate R&D and bring new concepts to market. Executive Relationship Ownership: Manage a broad stakeholder network across the client organization. Build deep credibility with R&D directors, BU leads, and group-level C-suite decision-makers through consultative, high-value advisory. Commercial Growth: Identify new entry points across global business units, reactivate dormant threads, and structure complex proposals and SOWs to meet signed-revenue targets. Deftly navigate corporate matrix politics and protect internal advocates. Thought Leadership & Hands-on Facilitation: Produce original strategic frameworks that client executives present directly to their boards. Facilitate ideation sprints, discovery workshops, and customer validation sessions. Travel: Regular regional travel to client offices in Europe, with occasional wider travel across APAC and the Americas. What We Are Looking For We are seeking a unique profile combining deep technical ingredient context with fast-paced, creative execution: Genuine Passion for Agri-Food: Non-negotiable, deep energy for the food sector. You actively follow food-system trends, have original views on ingredient innovation, and understand technical R&D and production value chains. Mandatory Agency / Consulting / Startup Track Record: You must have background experience working within a strategy consulting firm, innovation agency, corporate venture builder, or startup environment. (Candidates coming solely from corporate food company R&D roles without agency or consulting experience will not fit this profile). Commercial Acumen & Political Sensitivity: Strong track record structuring and negotiating six-figure corporate engagements, holding a firm position under pressure, and navigating complex corporate matrix politics. High-Calibre Written Execution: Exceptional written communication capabilities. You produce polished proposals, client communications, frameworks, and briefs that stand up to C-suite scrutiny. Methodology Fluency: Strong familiarity with innovation frameworks (Venture Building, Jobs-to-be-Done, Customer Discovery, Desirability/Viability/Feasibility Validation, Lean Startup). Languages: Professional business English is mandatory; Dutch is a valuable asset. Nice to Have: Founder/entrepreneurial experience in food (even a past venture that failed), formal facilitation training What We Offer High-Impact Mandate: A senior, high-visibility role carrying the group's flagship account with direct scope to shape and grow our AgriFood practice. World-Class Innovation Ecosystem: Access to deep global venture-building capabilities, methodology tools, and delivery talent. Entrepreneurial Culture: A hybrid, flexible work setup within a fast-moving international team that prioritizes growth and creativity. Hiring Process: Screening phone call with the Recruiter. Interview with the Hiring manager. Participation in a Bootcamp (1 day spent with your potential team – to showcase your skills and learn more about Creative Dock) Why join Creative Dock We are proud of our informal atmosphere. We maintain a flat structure and the working environment is shaped around project teams. We believe in career development. All that matters are your skills and desire to learn more. No diploma will ever secure you a place at Creative Dock. Equal opportunity employer Creative Dock is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Be more with Creative Dock We believe that ideas matter.

Core Responsibilities

Lead strategy and venture-building engagements for a major global food ingredients client, from early strategic concepts through validation and execution. Own and grow the client relationship and commercial portfolio, advise senior stakeholders, coordinate cross-functional teams, and facilitate workshops and customer validation.

Requirements

Candidates need substantial experience in strategy consulting, an innovation agency, corporate venture building, or a startup, alongside deep knowledge of the agri-food sector, ingredient innovation, and technical R&D. They must demonstrate commercial negotiation skills, political sensitivity, exceptional written communication, and fluency in innovation methodologies; professional business English is mandatory, and Dutch is an asset.

Benefits

• Flexible Work Setup
• Career Development