Head of Product & Innovation

About vly

vly develops plant-based alternatives to dairy that deliver improved nutritional profiles, grounded in science rather than trends. Its milk alternatives are made with pea protein, and its yogurt alternatives use fava bean protein. The products are available in more than 10,000 stores across Germany, including dm, REWE, EDEKA, and Kaufland.

Role overview

As Head of Product & Innovation, you will own the full product development journey from concept to shelf. You will lead a team of 7 across Development, Product Management, and Research, report directly to Nicolas, Co-Founder and CEO, and contribute as a member of vly’s Leadership Team.

What makes this role stand out

• In-house lab and pilot setup: the team creates prototypes internally in Berlin-Mitte, including UHT dairy alternatives and fermented yogurt alternatives.
• End-to-end product ownership: you will be connected to the process from seed sourcing through direct consumer feedback. Around 20% of the business comes from D2C, enabling feedback within days through structured interviews, A/B tastings, and a tester community of more than 3,000 people.
• Leadership in plant proteins and fermentation: vly introduced the first yogurt made from fava bean protein and advances research in fermentation and protein science with university partners. The company has also patented its own starter cultures for fermentation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead product development from the initial idea through market launch, ensuring the creation of strong, nutritious products and overseeing lab work, pilot production, and sensory evaluation.
• Build rapid prototyping and fast feedback loops into the team’s standard operating model.
• Own the product roadmap, prioritize the portfolio, and establish clear and disciplined project management practices.
• Direct research initiatives in fermentation, protein science, and new ingredients, including collaboration with partner universities and applications for public grants.
• Manage and grow the three functions, currently made up of 7 team members, while representing Product & Innovation in the Leadership Team.

Benefits and perks

• Join a mission-driven company working to make the food industry healthier, more sustainable, and more ethical.
• Work in a highly relevant category where dairy products are common in most households and plant-based milk is widely discussed in connection with health.
• Take on a high-impact leadership position with direct access to the founders and real influence over the product portfolio.
• Enjoy regular vly days and offsites, plus a freshly cooked daily team lunch prepared by vly’s in-house chef.
• Receive support for a Deutschland-Ticket and USC membership.
• Access the vly flat rate: as much vly as you want.

Requirements

• Strong interest in food: you naturally inspect products in the supermarket, read ingredient lists and nutrition labels, and understand what makes a product genuinely good.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience in R&D or product development, ideally with team-building experience in a startup or scale-up environment.
• Deep expertise in food technology and plant proteins, with experience in fermentation and/or structured experimentation.
• Customer-centric mindset, ideally supported by experience in qualitative and quantitative consumer research, consumer testing, and sensory evaluation.
• Excellent prioritization skills and clear, direct communication.
• High drive, energy, and resilience in a fast-moving scale-up environment.
• Very good German and good English.
• Berlin-based or able to work from the Berlin home base, with at least 3 days per week in the office/lab and the remaining time flexible.

Additional information

This role is based in Berlin, Germany, and is a full-time on-site position. The company has not stated any salary, number of openings, start date, or application deadline in the source provided.