Senior Director Global Crisis Management and Business Continuity

About the Role

The Global Crisis Management and Business Continuity role is a key driver of Barry Callebaut’s global resilience strategy, responsible for guiding the company’s preparedness and response to crises that could affect operations, supply chain reliability, brand reputation, or overall business continuity. The position leads the development of robust crisis management frameworks, proactive risk‑mitigation initiatives, and enterprise‑wide readiness, drawing on deep expertise in crisis leadership, strategic communication, and experience within the food manufacturing sector.  Reporting to the Senior VP Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory and maintaining a dotted‑line relationship with Global Security, the role works closely with critical business functions including Digital, HR, Communications, Quality, Production and Logistics to ensure coordinated, effective action during disruptive events.  Through strong cross‑functional leadership, this position reinforces the organization’s ability to anticipate, withstand, and recover from global challenges.

Key Responsibilities include

• Develop, implement, and continuously update the global crisis management strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and risk management frameworks
• Lead the creation and maintenance of a Global Crisis Management Plan that can be deployed in the event of a crisis
• Work with cross-functional teams, including Quality, SHE, operations, legal, communication, supply chain, and HR, to integrate crisis management protocols across all functions
• Lead the BC’s global response efforts during a crisis, providing clear direction and ensuring coordination across all business
• Act as the primary point of contact for senior management and stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination during a crisis
• Identify potential risks and threats that could lead to a crisis and recommend proactive measures to mitigate them
• Conduct regular risk assessments and simulations to ensure preparedness across all regions and manufacturing sites
• Monitor emerging global trends (economic, geopolitical, technological, etc.) that could impact the business, and adjust the crisis management strategy accordingly.
• Develop and execute communication strategies for internal and external stakeholders during a crisis, ensuring transparency and consistency
• Lead the development of business continuity plans for critical manufacturing operations & Supply chains
• Coordinate recovery efforts following a crisis, ensuring minimal downtime and a rapid return to normal operations
• Monitor the ongoing impact of the crisis, adjusting strategies as necessary to support long-term recovery and resilience
• Develop and conduct crisis management training, simulations, and tabletop exercises for key personnel at all levels to ensure preparedness
• Provide post-crisis analysis and reporting to leadership, highlighting successes, areas for improvement and lessons learned
• Work closely with Regulatory to ensure the organization’s crisis management efforts comply with industry regulations, legal requirements, and corporate policies
• Keep up to date with international, national, and local regulatory changes that may affect crisis management protocol

About You

• 10+ years of experience in business continuity, risk management, or a related discipline, ideally within a complex global environment in the food industry
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, IT, Risk Management, or a related field; professional BCM certifications (e.g., CBCP, MBCI) are an advantage
• Hands‑on expertise in crisis management, including the development and implementation of BCP/DRP and conducting Business Impact Analyses (BIA)
• Strong understanding of ISO 22301 and are familiar with IT and cybersecurity incident management and recovery
• Exceptional communicator who can mobilize teams, build partnerships, and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Demonstrate a global, collaborative mindset, with the ability to drive change and influence stakeholders in a complex matrix environment
• Independent, self‑driven, fluent in English, and experience in the CPG or food manufacturing industry is considered a plus
• Comfortable with regular travel and are able to commit to approximately 40% business travel globally