Head of Product Development & Technology, Cheese (m/f/d)
Lauben / Allgäu
The Champignon-Hofmeister family-owned company, headquartered in the Allgäu region, is considered a leading manufacturer in the segments of specialty cheeses and high-quality dried milk and whey derivatives. Since our founding, we have remained committed to manufacturing in Germany and have been family-owned for three generations. As one of the most successful corporate groups in the German dairy industry, we currently sell around 50 soft cheese specialties in over 55 countries. The formula for success behind our strong brands is regional milk and a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Approximately 1,200 employees at our production sites contribute to our success.
Your Role: Shaping Impactful Cheese Innovation
Do you combine a passion for cheese, food technology, and entrepreneurial leadership?
Then, in this key role, you’ll shape the future of our Cheese business unit. Together with your development team, you’ll bring new cheese products, recipes, manufacturing processes, and technologies to life—from the initial idea through technical implementation to a successful market launch. In doing so, you’ll combine regional milk, artisanal cheese expertise, modern technology, and sustainable growth.
At Champignon, tradition and innovation come together to create strong brands.
You’ll collaborate across departments with Production, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, Sales, and Marketing, driving initiatives that consistently align product quality, cost-effectiveness, manufacturability, and consumer needs.
What you can achieve:
- You will strategically advance product and technology development in the Cheese division and implement a forward-looking innovation strategy.
- You will be responsible for new cheese products, recipes, cultures, raw materials, and manufacturing processes, as well as the continuous optimization of existing products and processes.
- You will identify market trends, consumer needs, and technological developments and use them to identify feasible opportunities for innovation.
- You will identify opportunities for optimization in processes and cost structures and, in collaboration with Production and the relevant departments, achieve sustainable efficiency gains throughout the value chain.
- You plan, manage, and implement development and innovation projects while adhering to budget, quality, and time requirements.
- You evaluate new ingredients, cultures, technologies, and processes in terms of quality, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and manufacturability.
- You provide technical and managerial leadership to your development team, offer targeted support to employees, and create an environment where ideas can flourish.
- You will work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, Sales, and Marketing to ensure a smooth transition from development to implementation.
- You are responsible for budget planning and adherence to budget in the development area and contribute to investment and technology decisions.
What strengths you bring to the role:
- A degree in food technology, food science, dairy technology, or a comparable field.
- Several years of professional and leadership experience in product development at a food manufacturing company—ideally in the dairy, cheese, or dairy products industry.
- In-depth knowledge of food development, production processes, quality standards, and food regulatory requirements.
- Experience in innovation and project management, as well as in managing complex development projects.
- Strong technical understanding and an interest in new technologies, processes, and developments in food production.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, market insight, and a keen sense of customer needs, consumer trends, and economic contexts.
- A compelling leadership presence with strong communication skills, decisiveness, and the ability to get things done.
- Strong interpersonal skills, a passion for cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to the professional development of employees.
- A structured, analytical, and solution-oriented approach to work with a hands-on mentality.
Why this role is worth your commitment:
- A leadership position with significant responsibility, considerable creative freedom, and direct influence on the future of the Cheese Division.
- The opportunity to actively help shape innovative cheese products, technologies, and sustainable production processes.
- A motivated, competent team and an open, collaborative corporate culture.
- Short decision-making paths and close collaboration with senior management and relevant departments.
- A modern work environment at a successful, forward-looking company in the food industry.
- Personal and professional growth through targeted training and development opportunities.
- Attractive, performance-based compensation and additional benefits.
Start date: as soon as possible
Employment type: permanent
Work schedule: Full-time
What We Offer
- Performance-based compensation
- Flexible work hours
- Professional development & talent management
- Remote work
- On-site cafeteria
- Meal allowance
- Vacation Pay & Christmas Bonus
- Employee discount at the factory outlet
- Special Benefits
- Corporate benefits
- Cheese allowance
- Workplace Health Management
- Company Sports
- Company Party
- Parking Spaces
- Massage Chairs
- Hofmeister Brass Band
- Employees Recruit Employees
- Retirement Activities
- Company Pension Plan
Careers at Champignon? Make a real difference with our jobs—especially when it comes to your own career.
Who should I contact?
Heidi Albrecht
(08374) 92-413
To make the text easier to read, we primarily use masculine pronouns throughout. We expressly emphasize that everyone is equally welcome at Champignon-Hofmeister, a family-owned business.
Regardless of the text and images on our platforms and in our materials, we emphasize that everyone is equally welcome at the Champignon-Hofmeister family business. We value diversity and promote equal opportunity, so we welcome all applications regardless of ethnic or social background, nationality, age, gender, disability, impairment, religion, or sexual orientation.
Käserei Champignon Hofmeister GmbH & Co. KG
Kemptener Str. 17–24 | 87493 Lauben/Allgäu
