Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Product & Innovation

at vly

🏢 About vly

vly is a Berlin-based startup at the forefront of the plant-protein revolution, creating health-focused products that reduce environmental impact. With a strong emphasis on R&D and innovation, they are redefining the food industry through fermentation and protein science. Their mission-driven approach and collaborative culture make them an exciting place for leaders passionate about sustainable food.

About This Role

As Head of Product & Innovation, you will oversee the entire product lifecycle from ideation to market launch, managing a team of 7 across development, product management, and research. You'll shape the product roadmap, drive research on fermentation and novel ingredients, and secure public grants. This role is pivotal in scaling vly's impact through cutting-edge, consumer-focused products.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up with your team to review progress on product milestones, followed by a meeting with university partners on a fermentation research project. In the afternoon, you could be in the lab tasting prototypes and then analyzing consumer feedback data to refine the product roadmap. You'll also spend time on grant writing and strategic planning with the CEO.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who vly Is Looking For

  • A seasoned R&D leader with 5+ years of experience, including building and scaling teams in a startup or scale-up environment.
  • Deep expertise in food technology and plant proteins, especially fermentation and structured experimental design.
  • Consumer-centric with hands-on experience in qualitative and quantitative consumer research, testing, and sensory analysis.
  • Fluent in German (C1+) and proficient in English, with a commitment to working in Berlin at least 3 days per week.

📝 Tips for Applying to vly

1

Highlight specific examples of leading product development from concept to launch, especially in plant-based or fermented foods.

2

Showcase your experience with public grant applications (e.g., EU Horizon, BMBF) and university collaborations.

3

Demonstrate your team-building skills by describing how you've grown or restructured a team in a fast-paced environment.

4

Emphasize your consumer research methodologies, such as designing sensory panels or analyzing consumer data to drive product decisions.

5

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'Fermentation', 'Protein Science', 'Sensorik', and 'Product Roadmap'.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for sustainable, plant-based food innovation and alignment with vly's mission.", 'Proven track record in managing product roadmaps and prioritizing portfolios in a startup context.', 'Specific examples of leading R&D projects involving fermentation or novel protein ingredients.', 'Your experience in securing public funding and managing external research partnerships.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read vly's blog and press releases to understand their current product lines and innovation focus.
  • → Look into their patent portfolio or academic publications related to fermentation and protein science.
  • → Check their social media for recent consumer campaigns or product launches to gauge their market positioning.
  • → Research German public funding programs for food tech (e.g., BMWK, BMBF) to show awareness of funding landscape.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you structure the product roadmap for vly's next generation of plant-protein products?
2 Describe a time you led a product from concept to market; what were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?
3 How do you integrate consumer insights into the product development process? Give a concrete example.
4 What is your experience with fermentation? How would you approach scaling a fermentation process from lab to pilot plant?
5 How would you motivate and grow a team of 7 across different functions in a startup environment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention plant proteins, fermentation, or consumer research.
  • Ignoring the language requirement: ensure your application is in German and demonstrates fluency.
  • Failing to show specific startup experience; this role requires comfort with ambiguity and rapid iteration.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to vly!

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