Associate Director - HNC Regional Science EMEA

Job title : Associate Director – HNC Regional Science EMEA Location : Preferred location Kaiseraugst (Switzerland), open to other locations in EMEA.

Introduction The Associate Director of Regional Science EMEA in our Health, Nutrition & Care business unit is the single point of accountability for all science-related activities within the region. This role sits at the intersection of science, commercial, and innovation, connecting customers, regional teams, and global counterparts to ensure strong scientific positioning and impact.

You will drive the translation of global science into regionally relevant value propositions, supporting customer engagement, marketing strategies, and innovation adoption. By partnering closely with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Regulatory, and external stakeholders, you will strengthen scientific credibility, shape regional narratives, and support business growth through differentiated, science-based solutions.

Working across internal teams and external ecosystems, including key opinion leaders (KOLs), academic partners, and scientific organizations, you will play a key role in generating insights, supporting claims substantiation, and positioning our innovations effectively in the market.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Act as the regional scientific lead, ensuring alignment between global innovation and regional business needs while translating science into differentiated, locally relevant value propositions.
• Partner closely with Marketing and Commercial teams to shape customer engagement, support key accounts, and strengthen the scientific positioning in the region.
• Provide scientific input to support business activities, including claims development, substantiation, and effective communication to internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify gaps in scientific evidence and define research and clinical study needs, collaborating with partners to initiate innovation and strengthen value propositions.
• Build and maintain a strong regional network of KOLs, academic partners, and scientific organizations to enhance credibility and accelerate innovation adoption.
• Drive scientific communication and insight generation by presenting to customers and external audiences, while collaborating cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Regulatory, and Innovation teams.

We offer

• Unique career paths across health, nutrition and beauty - explore what drives you and get the support to make it happen.
• A chance to impact millions of consumers every day – sustainability embedded in all we do.
• A science led company, cutting edge research and creativity everywhere – from biotech breakthroughs to sustainability game-changers, you’ll work on what’s next.
• Growth that keeps up with you – you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership.
• A culture that lifts you up – with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on.
• A community where your voice matters – it is essential to serve our customers well.

You bring

• PhD in Nutrition or Life Sciences or a minimum of a Master’s degree with relevant experience, with strong knowledge of nutritional metabolism and clinical nutrition. Registered Dietitian qualification is a plus.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in life sciences or nutrition, including customer-facing roles and exposure to industrial environments.
• Experience in areas such as gut health, biotics, specialized nutrition, or protein/amino acid metabolism is an advantage.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and independently, leveraging insights to deliver business impact and strengthen scientific positioning.
• Strong external credibility, with recognition as a trusted scientific expert and an established Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) network in the EMEA nutrition ecosystem.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex science into clear