Global VP Food Ingredients

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Global Vice President of Food Ingredients based in Brazil. Take on a strategic executive leadership role driving the next phase of growth for a global specialty distribution business serving the Food & Beverage industry. As Global VP Food Ingredients, you will define and execute global strategies that accelerate organic growth, strengthen supplier and customer partnerships, and improve commercial performance across international markets. You will oversee a global virtual P&L, working closely with regional leaders to align priorities and deliver sustainable profitability. From developing strategic supplier relationships to evaluating acquisitions and optimizing investments, you will shape the business's long-term competitive position. You will also lead high-performing international teams and champion commercial excellence, cross-selling, and margin optimization. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced distribution executive who combines financial expertise, global market knowledge, and transformational leadership.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will drive the global Food & Beverage business strategy while coordinating with regional leadership to achieve shared commercial and financial objectives. Your responsibilities will include: Develop and execute the global Food & Beverage strategy, balancing supplier relationships, customer requirements, and evolving market opportunities. Own the global virtual P&L, delivering sustainable double-digit growth in EBITA, gross profit, gross profit margin, sales, and volume. Build and manage relationships with global suppliers and principals while identifying and developing new global and regional partnerships. Provide strategic and commercial direction to regional Food teams, promoting commercial excellence, cross-selling, and consistent execution. Optimize pricing, margins, and commercial performance across markets and product portfolios. Identify, assess, and execute mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including evaluating acquisition opportunities and supporting successful integration. Prioritize investments based on return on investment (ROI), ensuring resources are allocated to the most valuable growth opportunities. Build, develop, and retain high-performing global and regional teams, including leadership development and succession planning. Represent the business in relationships with major global accounts, industry forums, and the Executive Leadership Team. Align global strategic objectives with regional P&L priorities and operational execution within a matrix organization. Monitor business performance against key success measures, including revenue and profit growth, market share, customer satisfaction, customer retention, team performance, and investment returns. Requirements: You are a seasoned executive with extensive leadership experience in specialty distribution and a strong understanding of the global Food & Beverage ingredients market. You combine strategic vision with financial discipline, commercial expertise, and the ability to influence stakeholders across regions and cultures. The ideal candidate will bring: Extensive leadership experience: At least 20 years of leadership experience in distribution, with demonstrated responsibility for P&L performance and strategic commercial decisions. Global distribution expertise: A proven track record of developing and implementing end-market strategies within an international distribution environment. Supplier and customer relationship management: Experience building and strengthening principal partnerships, strategic customer relationships, and global commercial networks. M&A and portfolio management: Demonstrated success identifying acquisition opportunities, evaluating investments, managing portfolios, and integrating acquired businesses. Matrix leadership: The ability to align global strategy with regional execution while balancing global and regional business priorities. Commercial distribution knowledge: Strong understanding of distribution economics, supply chain operations, pricing strategies, margin management, and value-added services. Food & Beverage industry expertise: Deep knowledge of industry trends, competitive dynamics, customer needs, and market opportunities. Financial acumen: Strong capabilities in P&L management, profitability improvement, financial analysis, and ROI assessment. Strategic and analytical thinking: The ability to identify growth opportunities, make data-informed decisions, and drive sustainable commercial performance. Leadership and influence: Excellent stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. Transformational leadership: A visionary, collaborative, resilient, and culturally aware approach to leading international teams and managing change. Application requirement: Include a cover letter explaining how your qualifications and experience meet the key requirements of this role. Benefits: Executive Leadership Team membership: Play a central role in shaping global strategy and influencing business-wide decisions. Global leadership scope: Drive commercial growth and performance across international markets and regional business units. P&L ownership: Take responsibility for global business performance, profitability, and sustainable growth. Strategic impact: Influence supplier partnerships, customer relationships, acquisition decisions, investment priorities, and portfolio development. Career development: Lead international teams, strengthen organizational capabilities, and contribute to long-term business transformation. Permanent employment contract offering long-term professional engagement. Worldwide remote designation: The role is listed as remote worldwide; specific working arrangements and travel expectations should be confirmed during the recruitment process. Performance-driven environment: Work toward measurable outcomes across revenue, profitability, market share, customer retention, and team development.