Head of External Affairs, Barry Callebaut

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Solliciteren

Plaats

Lebbeke
9280
Oost-Vlaanderen
België

Contract

Vooltijds, Onbepaalde duur

Datum gepubliceerd

2026-01-10

Online to:

2026-03-11
EUR 15.00 HOUR

Head of External Affairs

At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions truly shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We are a company with a purpose, we believe in doing well by doing good and reinvesting in the communities we operate. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and our goal is to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. We are headquartered in Zurich, and have more than 12,000 passionate Employees working in more than 40 countries worldwide. We are very proud of who we are and what we do. And of course, we are always looking for talented people to help us have a positive impact on our industry and beyond! About the job Based in Wieze / Brussels - Belgium , the Head of External Affairs plays a central role in shaping Barry Callebaut's positioning on key legislative files and external sustainability issues, with primary focus on Europe. The role is responsible for monitoring, interpreting, and coordinating responses to evolving regulatory developments, particularly those stemming from the EU Green Deal - as well as relevant legislative initiatives at the EU Member State level, and translating their implications into actionable insights for the business. This includes advising internal stakeholders on managing shared ESG risks and operational alignment with regulatory expectations. The Head of External Affairs will work closely with the Director of External Affairs and ESG to shape and lead the company's ESG and External Affairs strategy, ensuring a strong, integrated, and forward-looking approach to sustainability, regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and corporate reputation. The Head of External Affairs also leads the company's engagement strategy with selected stakeholders, including trade associations, NGOs, policy platforms, and other relevant forums, to advocate for Barry Callebaut's positions, stay ahead of legislative trends, and shape the external policy environment. The role works closely with the ESG Manager to support the drafting and positioning of external communications, ESG Annual reports, public policy responses, and sustainability-related messaging and communications. In addition, the Head of External Affairs brings strong project management skills to drive cross-functional coordination, support the execution of ESG-related campaigns, and ensure the timely delivery of key initiatives. This role requires a balance of external advocacy and internal collaboration to support the company's broader sustainability ambition and regulatory readiness. Key responsibilities include Legislative Monitoring & Regulatory Advisory Monitor and analyze key legislative files and ESG-related regulations (e.g., EU Deforestation-free Regulation, CSDDD, CSRD) with a focus on implications for Barry Callebaut's operations, supply chain, and ESG strategy. Translate complex regulatory developments into clear guidance for business functions, supporting internal decision-making and compliance efforts. Provide subject matter input to cross-functional teams on how to manage common ESG risks in light of emerging legislation. External Affairs Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement Lead the design and execution of the external affairs strategy in alignment with ESG and business priorities. Actively participate in and represent Barry Callebaut in relevant trade associations, policy groups, and multi-stakeholder platforms. Build and manage relationships with NGOs and civil society actors, ensuring transparency and constructive dialogue on ESG issues. Collaborate with the ESG Manager to shape position papers, policy responses, and stakeholder messaging that reflect the company's commitments and actions. Project Management & Delivery Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects related to external affairs, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory implementation. Cross-functional Collaboration & Communications Support Work with internal teams (e.g., Legal, Sustainability, Procurement, Communications) to ensure coordinated responses to regulatory changes and stakeholder inquiries. Provide advisory support for internal and external ESG-related communications, including press releases, campaign content, and sustainability disclosures. Support the alignment of Barry Callebaut's ESG narrative across key audiences. Apply strong organizational and project management capabilities to drive execution, monitor timelines, and track deliverables. 8 - 10+ years of experience in External Affairs with an emphasis on coverage of ESG-related topics Understanding of ESG and Regulatory Frameworks Masters Degree in Communications, Public Policy, External Affairs or Science-related fields Ability to navigate a changing environment, and reprioritize as needed, maintaining an agile mindset Adeptness in spearheading multiple projects and setting priorities Previous experience in the food industry is an advantage Experience in leading and developing teams Excellent command of English - native speaker level essential Proven experience in interpreting, responding to, and influencing regulatory and legislative developments, particularly within the sustainability, ESG, and responsible business landscape. Strong ability to translate complex policy and legal texts into clear, actionable insights and communications tailored to internal stakeholders and business functions. Demonstrated track record of engaging with external stakeholders, including trade associations, NGOs, and regulatory bodies, to shape policy outcomes and represent company interests. Experience working cross-functionally with legal, sustainability, procurement, and communications teams to support a unified external affairs strategy. Skilled in distilling key messages from complex technical topics and adapting them for different audiences, from operational teams to senior executives and public stakeholders. Strong project management capabilities, with the ability to lead or support cross-functional initiatives and ensure timely, high-quality delivery. Proven experience in interpreting, responding to, and influencing regulatory and legislative developments, particularly within the sustainability, ESG, and responsible business landscape. Strong ability to translate complex policy and legal texts into clear, actionable insights and communications tailored to internal stakeholders and business functions. Demonstrated track record of engaging with external stakeholders, including trade associations, NGOs, and regulatory bodies, to shape policy outcomes and represent company interests. Experience working cross-functionally with legal, sustainability, procurement, and communications teams to support a unified external affairs strategy. Skilled in distilling k... Lead design, Agile Mindset, NGOs, Platforms, Execution, Cross Functionality, Delivery, Annual Reports, Business, Green Deal, Supply chain, Procurement, Projects, Development, Business Functions, Sustainability, Policy, Coordination, Delivery management, Cross Functionality, Leadership, Operations, Distilling, Regulatory Change, Regulatory Bodies, Messaging, Advocacy, Implementation, ESG, Public Policy, Advisory Support, Ambition, Food industry, Communication, Interpretation work, Actionable Insight, Decision Making, Campaign, Team support, Civil Society, Strategy Alignment, Stakeholders, Campaign, Press Releases, Coordination, Regulation, Monitoring, Advisory, Organization Skills, Drafting, Multiple Project, Landscaping, Content, Team Building, Cross Functionality, Legislation, Relations Managing, Project Management, Translation, Trade Associations, Business Priorities

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Head of External Affairs

Plaats

Contract

Datum gepubliceerd

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Head of External Affairs

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