Director, Commercial, Taste, MENA

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

DSM is seeking a Director of Commercial, Taste for the MENA region, based in Dubai, to lead the Middle East and North Africa sales team, execute the Taste commercial strategy, and deliver revenue and profitability targets. You will define roles, drive high performance, coach and develop the team, build the area’s long-range roadmap, and manage Sales, Profitability and RAF metrics while ensuring pricing practices align with policy and reporting to the regional VP. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in Sales in flavour, fragrance or ingredients, at least 5 in leadership, a relevant degree, and a proven data driven, coaching mindset with cross-functional impact. For applying, tailor your CV with quantified outcomes, highlight MEA wins, and demonstrate a growth mindset and collaboration aligned with DSM values.

Director, Commercial, Taste, MENA

Location: Dubai, UAE

We have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Director for our Taste business. You will be responsible for leading the Middle East and North Africa sales team, delivering the Taste Commercial Strategy and delivering on the revenue and profitability performance and expectations for the cluster.

Your key responsibilities:

• Define roles and drive high performance in the commercial team
• Measure results and provide feedback (incl. progress review, PeopleNow OKRs & Objectives/SIP) for direct reports
• Define learning needs, develop training programs for the team and monitor individual development
• Motivate, coach and support the sales team, to win both with clients and internally
• Build commercial strategy for area of responsibility, define objectives and long-range roadmap
• Manage and track Sales, Profitability and RAF performance
• Manage business aspects in area of responsibility: Vitality, AR’s, VR’s, Adoptions, Forecast Accuracy
• Ensure good sales and pricing practices in line with corporate and division policies & guidelines
• Report performance to regional VP

We offer:

• A strong sense of accountability – you take initiative, speak up, and see things through. You are responsible and focus on what matters
• An innovator’s instinct – you’re always looking for better, smarter, more sustainable ways to make an impact.
• A collaborative spirit – you’re at your best when working across teams, functions and countries.
• A focus on unity- with stakeholders and customers

You bring:

• Minimum of 10 years Sales experience in the flavour, fragrance, ingredients or related industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role with a proven track record
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science or similar
• Sales Strategy, Sales Forecasting, Data-Driven decision-making capabilities
• Coaching and team leadership skills
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Growth Mindset

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future. 

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement:

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.