About Us

AB Enzymes, as a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, is a leading company in the innovation and production of enzymes worldwide. Operating in the biotechnology industry we are an important partner for customers in the application of food, animal feed and industrial enzymes. With our expertise in the global enzymes business, we help our customers to make their industrial processes more sustainable, environmentally friendly and efficient. Product excellence and innovation are among our key strengths while our passion for science and customer-focused solutions is what drives us.

Our global headquarters are in Darmstadt, Germany with offices and lab spaces. Our manufacturing site is located in Finland (north of Helsinki) where our enzymes are being produced and researched. We are striving to leverage our strong growth prospects, state-of-the-art R&D, flat structure, and a thriving and employee-focused culture to bring on board talents who are motivated to contribute to our collective success, develop themselves, and want to make a real difference. For more information visit our website www.abenzymes.com.

The Role

As Head of Enzyme Technology, you will be part of an exciting international R&D and business environment, working with cutting edge technologies and a broad portfolio of diverse projects. 

You will:

• Head the Enzyme Technology team (> 10 FTE based in Germany and in Finland) within our global R&D organization  
• Build the team and capabilities to further develop our enzyme characterization techniques, our analytical service unit, as well as our enzyme discovery and engineering expertise 
• Management of resources, costs and R&D activities of the team. The latter include various analytical method development, from Quality Control methods to methods with application relevance, to enzyme characterization and analytical services, to enzyme engineering and High-Throughput Screening (HTS)
• Closely collaborate with other disciplines within R&D and beyond, especially Application Development, Quality Control, and Portfolio Management
• Represent all Enzyme Technology activities both internally and externally
• Contribute to the R&D- and Product/Technology Strategy development and its implementation into the Enzyme Technology discipline
• The role is based in Darmstadt, Germany and reports to the R&D Director Germany

About You

As an ideal candidate, you have: 

• Demonstrated leadership experience, enjoying to create results through and with people
• Cultural agility and ability to manage a team across two locations 
• Strong communication and organization skills in being able to lead and collaborate across disciplines as well as external partners and academic collaborators 
• Pro-active problem solver and innovator with a passion for understanding, improving and using enzymes in application to develop new innovative enzyme solutions for customers
• Degree in biochemistry or related field, several years of subsequent industrial R&D experience, preferably in the enzyme industry 
• A profound knowledge in enzymology, protein structure-function relationships, analytical method development 
• A strong background in protein engineering and HTS
• Clear experience in the field of industrial enzymes
• Fluent in English; German and Finnish is a plus

Why Us

• An opportunity in an exciting and growing industry with business development prospects which are based on a future proof & sustainable technology
• An international working environment with the chance to further develop yourself personally and professionally
• A challenging and multifaceted employment opportunity with long-term perspective in a fast-growing leading company in the enzyme industry
• A progressive, team-oriented management which supports you through open communication and accessibility
• A modern, creative and innovative company that achieves success through its people
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• You will find a collaborative and open-minded culture, flat hierarchies and a ‘people first’ attitude
• Future career opportunities through our ABF network
• The possibility to mobile working

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age as well as sexual orientation and identity.

If you are interested in this position, we look forward to receiving your application together with your salary expectations.