Head of Food Innovation & Ready Meals

Company Overview

Knuspr.de is part of the Rohlik Group, Central Europe’s leading online grocery platform founded in 2014 in the Czech Republic. The Group serves customers across Czechia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Romania, delivering fresh and high-quality groceries from artisan and local suppliers as well as private-label lines.

Our mission is to make everyday shopping faster, easier and more sustainable. We combine smart technology, efficient logistics and a genuine love for great food ensuring that each product reaching our customers is fresh, safe and top quality.

We are committed to sustainability, to supporting local producers and to optimising our operations for minimal environmental impact. At Knuspr.de we believe grocery shopping is more than just buying food, it's a better way to enjoy life every day.

Department Overview

The Group Commercial Department shapes the strategic direction of our food offering across all markets: Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and Romania. Our goal is to drive innovation, strengthen supplier partnerships, and ensure profitability while delighting customers with outstanding assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies.

Role Overview

As Head of Food Innovation & Ready Meals, you will lead the strategy, development, and scaling of Rohlik’s ready-to-eat and food innovation portfolio across all markets.

Reporting to the VP Commercial, you will define the long-term vision for ready meals, fresh convenience, and innovative food concepts, working closely with category teams, suppliers, product development partners, and local markets.

You will drive the development of unique food propositions—from ideation and product development to supplier partnerships and go-to-market execution—ensuring Rohlik remains a leader in food innovation and convenience.

Your mission will be to deliver customer-centric innovation while building a scalable and profitable ready meals ecosystem across the Rohlik Group.

What we expect from you / the position to perform

• Define and lead the group-wide strategy for Ready Meals and Food Innovation.

• Develop and scale innovative food concepts, including ready-to-eat meals, fresh convenience products, and new food formats.

• Identify and build partnerships with key suppliers, chefs, food manufacturers, and innovation partners.

• Collaborate with country commercial teams to scale successful food innovations across markets.

• Drive product development cycles, from ideation to launch and scaling.

• Partner closely with Category Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Tech teams to ensure successful product launches and operational execution.

• Continuously monitor food trends, customer insights, and market innovations to keep Rohlik at the forefront of food retail innovation.

• Support local markets in adapting group innovations to local customer preferences.

• Define governance and best practices for innovation pipeline management and product lifecycle management.

What we look for / what we require

Required:

• 10+ years of experience in food innovation, product development, or category leadership within food retail, FMCG, food service, or ready-meal production.

• Proven track record of launching and scaling food products or ready meal concepts.

• Strong understanding of food trends, consumer behaviour, and convenience food markets.

• Experience working with food suppliers, manufacturers, and product development partners.

• Strategic mindset combined with strong execution capability and leadership.

• Excellent stakeholder management across commercial, operations, and supply chain functions.

• Experience with AI-enabled product development, trend forecasting, or digital innovation in food retail / FMCG.

• Fluent in English; additional Central/Eastern European languages a plus.

Preferred:

• Experience in online grocery or fast-scaling retail environments.

• Background in food product development, culinary innovation, or private label development.

• Experience working across multiple countries or markets.

• Strongly developed network in the European food production ecosystem.

• Passion for food, gastronomy, and customer-driven innovation.

What’s in it for you

• Fair pay, transparent, stable compensation A strong fixed salary with clear rules. No bonus politics. Great work is rewarded openly and fairly.

• Good food options, fresh, every day Enjoy subsidised meals/fresh food options in the office and regular refreshments like drinks, fruit, and snacks that keep you energized.

• Life beyond work, hybrid work & real flexibility Three days in the office and the rest where it works best for you. Take time off when you need it with paid vacation days above statutory and flexible scheduling.

• Grow with Knuspr every day - we move fast, and so can you. Learn, experiment, and take ownership from day one. Every challenge is a chance to grow.

• Recognition & community - Your impact is seen and appreciated. You can celebrate colleagues through Bonusly peer-recognition credits and feel supported by a team that works hard and wins together.

• Health & wellbeing - Access to our UNIQA private insurance option and supportive wellbeing culture, keeping you healthy inside and outside of work.

• Mobility & convenience - Company car available for selected management-level roles and fuel support for regular WH travel.

• Premium membership - Free Knuspr Premium membership with exclusive benefits.

• Referral rewards - Recommend great people and get rewarded through our group referral program.

• Team spirit - We organize team events, celebrations, and moments to connect because work is better when we win together.

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