Our client, a premium, mission-driven chocolate ingredients company is looking for a CEO to lead its next phase of growth. Known for exceptional single-varietal couvertures, world-class quality, and deeply rooted sustainable sourcing, the business enters this stage with a strong brand, solid supply chains, healthy profitability, and growing demand across premium B2B channels.

The organisation is open to international candidates who are willing to relocate to Amsterdam.

Key Responsibilities: *Shape and drive the company’s commercial strategy, focusing on where the business can win and grow *Lead all commercial activities across B2B, foodservice, makers, and select retail/DTC channels, building strong, relationship-driven growth *Strengthen the premium ingredient brand by turning its unique sourcing story into clear, effective B2B2C marketing across both high-touch and digital channels *Ensure sustainable, reliable supply from origin to customer, and guide product and supply teams toward a focused, profitable portfolio *Build and develop a strong team, fostering a high-performance, mission-driven culture with clear accountability *Partner closely with the board on strategy while owning day-to-day leadership and results.

Essential qualifications, skills, and experience:
• 10–15 years’ of senior leadership experience in premium F&B or related B2B sectors — where brand, quality, storytelling and purpose matter;
• Proven success in scaling boutique or craft brands in competitive markets, with a strong sense of brand positioning and how to support customers’ brands;
• Solid commercial and financial understanding, including P&L responsibility;
• Entrepreneurial mindset — pragmatic, hands-on, and results-oriented in a lean, mission-driven setup;
• Comfortable navigating diverse stakeholder relationships — from farmers and artisan customers to investors and NGO partners;
• Humble, honest, collaborative — thriving in a multicultural, multilingual environment;
• A natural storyteller and brand ambassador, committed to growing impact through commerce;
• Fluent in English and German — Dutch or Spanish skills a plus.

Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 9 January 2026.

For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on 021 863 1444.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.