📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Ethics First, Arla Brand
🔹 Company: Arla Foods
🔹 Location: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, or UK
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing & Branding
🔹 Date Posted: July 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Flexible location across Europe
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic development of commercial sustainability and health projects
- Leveraging projects towards Arla brands and customers
- Working at the intersection of consumers, health, and agriculture
- Collaborating with experts, customers, and consumers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, commercial acumen, and the ability to create direction and influence senior stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the development of strategic sustainability and health projects
✅ Act as the key link between experts, customers, and consumers
✅ Drive the Food Habits pillar as part of the health strategy
✅ Set company-wide direction for naturalness within the natural framework
✅ Shape the organic strategy and connect it to regenerative agriculture
✅ Drive future strategies for Farm Ahead, nature, animal welfare, and consumer engagement
✅ Analyze key sustainability consumer metrics to enhance efforts and results
✅ Support markets on their sustainability projects and manage the Arla Organic brand book
✅ Play a vital role in the global Arla Brand leadership team
ASSUMPTION: This role involves strategic thinking, project management, and strong leadership skills to drive impactful initiatives.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Proven experience in marketing, business development, or sustainability
Required Skills:
- Strong commercial mindset and experience developing consumer concepts
- Fluency in English
- Proven leadership skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Strategic thinking and creativity balanced with commercial sense
- Ability to build relationships and lead others through complex challenges
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in additional European languages
- Experience working in a multinational organization
- Knowledge of the dairy industry
ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of the role, candidates should possess a strong commercial mindset and proven leadership skills.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Competitive pension scheme
- Health insurance and wellness program
- Generous holiday allowance
- Flexible working arrangements
- Employee discounts on Arla products
Working Hours: Full-time, with regular travel and flexible work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a similar role in Europe. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and company policy.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Arla Foods operates in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, focusing on dairy products.
Company Size: Arla Foods is a large organization with over 10,000 employees worldwide.
Founded: Arla Foods was founded in 1881 and has since grown into a global leader in the dairy industry.
Company Description:
- Arla Foods is a global leader in dairy, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation.
- The company is a cooperative owned by dairy farmers across Europe, with a strong focus on creating a sustainable future for dairy.
- Arla Foods aims to make healthy dairy nutrition and good food habits accessible to all, while minimizing its environmental impact.
Company Specialties:
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, powder)
- Sustainability and responsible farming practices
- Healthy and natural products
- Global brand management (Arla, Lurpak, Castello, Puck)
Company Website: http://www.arla.com
ASSUMPTION: Arla Foods is a well-established company with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation in the dairy industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to the Vice President of the Global Arla Brand.
Reporting Structure: The Head of Ethics First will report to the Vice President of the Global Arla Brand and collaborate with various teams across the organization.
Work Arrangement: This role offers flexible work arrangements, with the option to work from home or utilize one of Arla's European offices.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential progression to a more senior role within the Arla Brand team or the wider Marketing and Commercial Operations organization.
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and drive significant change within the company.
- Chance to develop leadership and strategic skills while working with a diverse, global team.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a real impact on the company's sustainability and health initiatives.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Arla Foods offers flexible work arrangements, with the option to work from home or utilize one of their European offices.
Office Location(s): Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, or UK
Geographic Context:
- Arla Foods operates in multiple European countries, with a strong presence in Scandinavia and the UK.
- The company's headquarters are located in Viby, Denmark, with additional offices across Europe.
- Candidates can expect a multicultural work environment, with colleagues from various backgrounds and nationalities.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with regular travel and flexible work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: Arla Foods offers a flexible and dynamic work environment, with opportunities for candidates to work in various European locations.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- Interview with the hiring manager (Katie Reed)
- Final interview with the global Arla Brand team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Leadership skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Cultural fit and alignment with Arla's values
- Language skills and ability to communicate effectively
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Demonstrate your passion for sustainability, health, and agriculture in your application materials.
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and leadership skills for the interview.
ATS Keywords: Sustainability, Health, Organic Innovation, Strategic Thinking, Leadership, Collaboration, Influencing, Commercial Acumen, Consumer Engagement, Project Management, Marketing, Business Development, Consumer Concepts, Analytical Skills, Creativity, Relationship Building
ASSUMPTION: Arla Foods uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume can help improve your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role may vary depending on the specific needs of the projects and teams the candidate works with.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Leading courageously
- Building followership and trust
- Minimizing bureaucracy and taking action
- Connecting markets and functions for greater results
- Being passionate and having fun as a team
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering impact
- Adaptable and open to change
- Comfortable working in a multicultural environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment?
- Are you passionate about sustainability, health, and agriculture?
- Can you balance creativity with commercial sense to deliver impactful solutions?
ASSUMPTION: Arla Foods values candidates who are a strong cultural fit, with a passion for their mission and a commitment to their values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing strategic thinking with the need to deliver tangible results
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Working effectively in a matrix organization with various stakeholders
- Adapting to a flexible work arrangement and regular travel
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional marketing roles, this position focuses heavily on sustainability and health initiatives.
- This role requires a strong commercial mindset and the ability to influence senior stakeholders, similar to a business development or strategy role.
- Career progression in this role may lead to more senior positions within the Arla Brand team or the wider Marketing and Commercial Operations organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique within Arla Foods and the broader dairy industry, requiring a specific skill set and mindset.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic plan for the Food Habits pillar of Arla's health strategy
- Conducting market research to identify consumer needs and preferences related to sustainability and health
- Collaborating with experts, customers, and consumers to develop new concepts and initiatives
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of initiatives the Head of Ethics First may work on, but the specific projects may vary based on the company's priorities and needs.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of Arla's sustainability and health initiatives, and where this role fits into the overall strategy?
- How does the global Arla Brand team collaborate with other departments and markets to drive strategic initiatives?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Arla support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does that manifest in this role?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, allowing them to make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and leadership skills for the interview.
- Follow up with Katie Reed at +44 7813 526 573 after one week if you haven't heard back about your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
