Head of Product & Innovation (All Genders)

About ahead

ahead is a Hamburg-based snack company on a mission to make lower-sugar treats the new standard. The brand develops chocolate bars, protein bars, wafers, cookies, and gummies with up to 90% less sugar while keeping taste front and center. The company has around 120 people, runs its own lab, and manages a portfolio of more than 170 SKUs. With strong ambitions across DACH and additional European markets, ahead is scaling quickly.

Role overview

ahead is hiring a Head of Product & Innovation to take ownership of the commercial product strategy, guide the teams working in Product Development, R&D, and Quality Management, partner closely with the founders, and help shape the next phase of growth for the business.

The ideal person is a practical product leader from food or FMCG who has handled broad product portfolios, built innovation processes from the ground up, and understands how to move a product from concept to shelf. The role calls for quick decision-making, clear communication, and a strong bias toward building scalable systems rather than only managing existing ones.

What you will do

• Lead the full innovation strategy across retail, D2C, Amazon, and international expansion, deciding which products to launch, retain, or retire, while building SKU- and category-level business cases with financial models and assortment planning.
• Own in-house product development, including ingredient selection, flavour creation, recipe refinement, tasting cycles, and the path from sample to industrial production.
• Work with R&D and Procurement to evaluate new suppliers as well as new sweeteners, protein sources, and functional ingredients.
• Manage a portfolio of more than 170 SKUs using structured stage-gate methods, performance reviews, and commercial forecasting at both SKU and category level.
• Lead and coach 3 direct reports across Product Development, R&D, and Quality Management.
• Create scalable processes that gradually reduce founder dependency.
• Bring Management, Sales, and Marketing into alignment on product priorities and use AI tools for market research, forecasting, and documentation.

What we are looking for

• At least 5 years of experience in food or FMCG product development, with a minimum of 2 years in a leadership position.
• Strong background in physical product development, including familiarity with raw materials, flavour systems, supplier management, and manufacturing constraints.
• Proven experience handling 80+ SKUs or leading product development in a fast-scaling food business.
• Hands-on confidence with stage-gate processes, data-led decisions, and SKU-level financial modelling.
• Routine use of AI and digital tools to improve speed and scale.
• Clear, precise communication style, fast follow-through, and the ability to build strong teams rather than dependencies.
• Extra value is given to experience in better-for-you food, functional food, or confectionery.
• Additional plus points include exposure to international expansion, country-specific product adaptation, category management, commercial forecasting, or retail key account collaboration.

What ahead offers

• A high-growth, high-autonomy environment where you can make a visible impact and work on greenfield challenges.
• A central Hamburg office near the Alster with strong equipment, including a MacBook, plus snacks, drinks, plenty of ahead products, and a ping-pong table.
• A pet-friendly workplace where you can bring your dog along.
• An international, ambitious team with a collaborative culture.
• Career development through cross-functional projects, regular feedback, and a steep learning curve.
• A competitive salary with role-based bonus opportunities.
• Monthly benefits worth €50 to use for options such as Urban Sports Club, mobility, or brand vouchers.
• 28 vacation days, plus extra days off on December 24 and December 31.
• Regular after-work gatherings and annual team offsites.

Location and working setup

This position is based in Hamburg and allows up to 2 home office days per week. There is also the possibility to work from abroad for agreed periods.

Equal opportunity statement

ahead GmbH is committed to fair hiring and inclusive employment practices, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

About the company mission

ahead is building a next-generation snack brand for people who enjoy chocolate, cookies, and gummies but want ingredients that fit a healthier lifestyle. Using modern food technology, the company reimagines classic favourites with no added sugar, no empty carbs, and strong taste. The goal is to make low-sugar snacking mainstream while keeping it enjoyable.