MARTIN FOLTZ
Global Head of R&D | Innovation Science, Digital Transformation & IP Strategy
Bensheim
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented R&D leader with over 20 years of experience in the international life sciences and nutrition sectors. Proven track record in steering global, cross-functional teams of up to 45 FTEs, successfully driving technology development, portfolio expansion, and high-level strategic initiatives. Currently spearheading Global R&D for Natural Performance Ingredients at Döhler while enhancing group-wide Innovation Excellence. PhD in GI-Physiology and expertise in translational science and intellectual property strategy, having doubled the Health innovation pipeline value and facilitated the development of cutting-edge digital and AI-enabled tools that optimize R&D efficiency.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Global Head of R&D – Natural Performance Ingredients (NPI)
DÖHLER GROUP
05.2023 - Current
- International Leadership & Fiscal Stewardship: Directing a multidisciplinary global team of 45 FTE across the US, Germany, and Turkey; managing an annual Opex/Capex budget of €3M with a focus on high-performance culture and talent development.
- Multidisciplinary Stakeholder Alignment: Orchestrating end-to-end integration across Business Units, Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory functions to bridge the gap between "scientific concept" and "factory shelf" for global markets.
- Industrialization & Category Excellence: Driving the technical journey from bench-top to full-scale factory implementation across three high-growth clusters:
Colors & Coatings: Engineered complex Colour & Cloud emulsions and stable suspension systems.
Health: Led technical development and scientific substantiation for prebiotic fibers, hydrolyzed proteins, and functional powder mixes.
Texture: Advanced the innovation of structuring food fibers and high-performance stabilizing systems. - Digital Transformation & AI Strategy: Spearheading the integration of AI-driven R&D tools (Gemini, Digital Colour Developer, PICO Extractor) and Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) to optimize formulation precision and accelerate evidence generation.
- Operational Performance & P&L Impact: Delivered measurable business growth and efficiency gains, including:
7% increase in customer project "win rates" through improved technical value propositions.
35% reduction in portfolio complexity via global harmonization, yielding €750k in annual cost savings.
100% growth (doubling) of the Health innovation pipeline value within the current cycle.
Global Head of Innovation Excellence & Growth
DÖHLER GROUP
04.2023 - Current
- Board-Level Strategy: Reporting to the Board on innovation requirements and strategic KPIs across all business clusters.
- Innovation Steering: Defined and set innovation KPIs and sized innovation gap across businesses
- Stakeholder Management: Partnering with Regulatory, Intellectual Property (IP), and Legal to build a robust "Scientific Evidence Engine" and secure global freedom-to-operate.
- Pipeline & IP Strategy: Spearheading the growth of the innovation pipeline from €500M to €1.2B (X5 horizon) while implementing global patent roadmapping.
- Global Account Ownership: Strategic R&D Innovation lead for Tier-1 accounts, including Nestlé, Carlsberg, and Danone.
- Innovation Governance & Project Quality: Engineered a high-rigor framework institutionalizing "Commercial Sponsorship" and E2E integration with BU/Manufacturing plans. Overhauled decision-gates and technical roadmaps, driving a 20% acceleration in time-to-market across the €1.2B innovation pipeline.
Global Lead of R&D Health & Nutritional Excellence
DÖHLER GROUP
07.2018 - 03.2023
- Organizational Design & R&D Strategy: Created a new R&D team and health innovation program focused on high-margin, revenue-driving B2B ingredients.
- Commercial Pipeline Development: Architected a robust health innovation pipeline, generating a projected total revenue of €100M by year 5 post-launch.
- Market Execution & Revenue Impact: Successfully launched a novel natural fiber ingredient projected to drive a 15% increase in total health business revenues by 2027.
Senior R&D Manager – Open Innovation
UNILEVER
05.2015 - 06.2018
- Strategic Ecosystem Management: Strengthened strategic supplier R&D innovation, increasing global collaboration efficiency by 30%.
- Operational Excellence & Scouting: Established the "Want, Find, Get, Manage" framework for Foods R&D to streamline technology scouting and accelerate early-feasibility assessments.
- C-Suite Advisory & Strategic Alliances: Provided scientific and technical counsel to the Unilever Foods Executive LT for high-stakes strategic partnership negotiations with global suppliers.
Head of Molecular Aspects of Health
UNILEVER
05.2010 - 04.2015
- Public Health Insight & Portfolio Strategy: Leveraged epidemiological data to identify global (micro)nutrient deficiencies, architecting fortification strategies that addressed unmet consumer health needs and opened new market segments.
- Translational R&D & Clinical Validation: Directed multi-million Euro translational science programs for heart health and satiety; spearheaded in vitro-to-human clinical platforms and ADME profiling to de-risk high-value R&D investments.
- Intellectual Property & Technical Invention: Served as lead inventor on a strategic patent portfolio for GI-stable bioavailable peptides and prebiotic formulations, securing proprietary advantage for core health platforms.
Lead Scientist ADME
UNILEVER
10.2006 - 04.2010
Scientist Bioavailability
UNILEVER
01.2005 - 09.2006
Education
PhD - Human Nutrition Science (summa cum laude)
TU München
Germany01-2004
Diploma Studies - Nutrition Sciences
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Germany01-1999
Skills
- Technical Formulation: Emulsion technology, Protein Technologies, and Fiber Structuring
- Digital R&D: AI-integration, Digital Developer for Formulations, and AI-enabled Meta-Reviews for Human Intervention Trial Data
- Patent Strategy
- Global Innovation Strategy and Steering
- Cross-Functional & Global Leadership
- M&A strategy support
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Commercialization Market strategy development
- In-vitro digestion modeling
- Experience in ADME evaluation
- Clinical research design
- Scientific publishing
Timeline
Global Head of R&D – Natural Performance Ingredients (NPI)
DÖHLER GROUP
05.2023 - Current
Global Head of Innovation Excellence & Growth
DÖHLER GROUP
04.2023 - Current
Global Lead of R&D Health & Nutritional Excellence
DÖHLER GROUP
07.2018 - 03.2023
Senior R&D Manager – Open Innovation
UNILEVER
05.2015 - 06.2018
Head of Molecular Aspects of Health
UNILEVER
05.2010 - 04.2015
Lead Scientist ADME
UNILEVER
10.2006 - 04.2010
Scientist Bioavailability
UNILEVER
01.2005 - 09.2006
Diploma Studies - Nutrition Sciences
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
PhD - Human Nutrition Science (summa cum laude)
TU München