Head of Agriculture Benelux

Do you want to play a defining role in the future of sustainable dairy farming while helping shape the strategy of one of the world's leading farmer‑owned dairy cooperatives? Join us as our new

Head of Agriculture Benelux, Utrecht

In this new role, you will lead Arla's Agriculture agenda across the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France. You will connect the interests of approximately 1300 farmer owners with the commercial ambitions of the business, translating global strategy into regional execution and creating long‑term value for farmers, customers and consumers.

Reporting to the Vice President Agriculture, you will be a member of both the Benelux & France Leadership Team and the Global Agriculture Leadership Team. In this highly visible leadership role, you will influence business strategy, strengthen Arla's agricultural position, drive organizational development and represent Arla externally within the agricultural sector.

This is a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of agriculture, commercial strategy, sustainability and cooperative leadership.

How You Will Make an Impact

Based within the Benelux organization, you will lead the regional Agriculture function and be responsible for translating Arla's global Agriculture strategy into tangible business results across multiple countries and stakeholder groups. You will

• Lead Arla's Agriculture strategy across the Benelux region, aligning farmer‑owner priorities, commercial objectives and global strategic ambitions;
• Act as the senior representative for approximately 1300 farmer owners across the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France, building trusted relationships and ensuring strong engagement, governance and cooperative participation;
• Drive long‑term competitiveness of the regional milk supply through initiatives focused on farm profitability, sustainability, quality and supply resilience;
• Represent Agriculture within the Benelux & France Leadership Team, ensuring agricultural, milk supply and farmer‑owner perspectives are embedded in strategic commercial and operational decision‑making;
• Lead the Benelux Agriculture organization, creating a high‑performing team while developing future leadership capability, engagement and succession readiness;
• Deliver regional and global transformation initiatives, leading organizational change and driving alignment across diverse markets and cultures;
• Build strategic partnerships with governments, industry associations, financial institutions, agricultural organizations and other external stakeholders to strengthen Arla's position within the sector;
• Partner closely with Commercial leadership to develop customer propositions that translate Arla's agricultural strengths into competitive advantage and sustainable growth;
• Contribute to the future direction of Arla's global Agriculture agenda as an active member of the Global Agriculture Leadership Team.

What Will Make You Successful

You are an experienced executive with a strong agricultural background and a genuine understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing modern dairy farming. You combine strategic vision with commercial awareness and are able to build trust across a wide range of stakeholders—from individual farmer owners to executive leadership teams and external institutions. You bring

• A university degree in Agriculture, Business, Food Science, Economics, Environmental Sciences or a related discipline. An MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is considered an advantage;
• Significant senior leadership experience within agriculture, dairy, food, cooperative or similarly stakeholder‑complex organizations;
• Proven experience leading multi‑country organizations or regional business functions, translating strategy into measurable business outcomes;
• Demonstrated success operating as part of a senior leadership team, influencing decisions beyond your own functional responsibility;
• Strong understanding of agricultural value chains, dairy production, farm economics, sustainability and long‑term milk supply resilience;
• Experience leading organizational transformation, change management and business integration within complex matrix organizations;
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility among farmer owners, governance bodies, senior executives, government representatives and industry organizations;
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance farmer‑owner, customer and business priorities to create sustainable value;
• Excellent leadership capabilities with a track record of developing high‑performing teams, fostering collaboration and building organizational capability;
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, combined with the confidence to represent Arla externally in public, political and industry settings.

You are fluent in Dutch and English, and are willing to travel regularly throughout the Benelux region and internationally.

Why Join Arla?

At Arla, our farmers own the business. Every decision we make is guided by our purpose of creating the future of dairy while delivering sustainable value for our farmer owners, customers and society.

As Head of Agriculture Benelux, you will occupy one of the most influential Agriculture leadership positions within the region. You will help shape business strategy, influence the future of sustainable dairy farming and contribute directly to the development of Arla's global Agriculture agenda.

You'll work in an international environment where collaboration, innovation and purpose go hand in hand, alongside passionate colleagues who are committed to making a positive impact for our farmer owners and future generations.

What We Offer

Joining Arla means joining a purpose‑driven, international organization where your leadership will have visible impact across multiple countries. We offer

• A highly strategic executive leadership position within one of the world's leading dairy cooperatives;
• The opportunity to influence both regional and global business strategy;
• An international working environment with extensive collaboration across Europe;
• Significant leadership responsibility with broad organizational exposure;
• Competitive executive remuneration package including bonus and attractive secondary benefits;
• Excellent opportunities for professional growth and international career development.

Application and Contact

If this opportunity excites you, please apply before July 27, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Dirkjan Boels, +31 6 50 50 66 03.

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