Head of People & Culture

At NoPalm Ingredients we are looking for an experienced Head of People and Culture to join our team!

Recruiter acquisition is not appreciated for this role

About us

NoPalm Ingredients produces yeast oils & fats, made from agri-food waste streams that are perfect substitutes to palm and other vegetable oils in food, cosmetics, and home care products. Our products offer a two-sided solution that reduces both the use of palm oil and food waste.

Founded in 2021, NoPalm Ingredients is on a mission to challenge companies and product manufacturers to implement our local, circular, and sustainable oils as an alternative to palm oil.

By upcycling agri-food side streams into circular yeast oils, we are making a worldwide environmental impact, contributing to a waste-free world, decarbonizing the entire value chain with 90% less greenhouse gas emissions, and limiting the impact on natural habitats as we reduce land-use by 99%.

About the role

As Head of People & Culture, you’ll play a key role in building on our P&C foundation for a thriving, resilient organization. You’ll report to the CEO and be part of the extended management team, partnering closely with leaders across R&D, Operations, Finance, and Business Development.

NoPalm Ingredients is preparing to double in size over the next 18–24 months. From a team of 30 highly skilled professionals and scientists today, we’ll soon welcome a new wave of operators, technicians, and cross-functional talent. We’re not just growing, we’re evolving.

We’re looking for an experienced Head of People & Culture to guide this transformation. Someone who understands that what works at 5 people doesn’t scale to 60, and who’s excited to design the next chapter of how we work, grow, and support each other.

You’ll lead and shape all people-related functions, from recruitment and onboarding to performance, culture, learning, and leadership development.

Scaling the team with care

• Drive hiring strategy to support growth across our teams, from factory operators, to scientists, and from corporate teams, to lab technicians
• Build and expand current processes for recruiting, onboarding, and internal mobility that reflect our values and ambition

Organizational transformation

• Support the company through key inflection points—from start-up to scale-up
• Help teams (and leaders) reinvent how they work as we grow in size and complexity
• Create clarity around structure, roles, and ways of working

Culture & engagement

• Champion a culture of feedback, inclusion, and learning
• Build rituals and systems that help people stay connected to our mission and each other
• Design and lead initiatives to boost engagement and team health

Performance & development

• Strengthen performance review systems, growth frameworks, and learning opportunities
• Coach leaders and build leadership capability across the organization

People operations

• Own the core HR operations (policies, systems, compliance) and prepare for scale
• Ensure we’re legally sound, administratively smooth, and emotionally intelligent as we grow

You’ll be supported by our Office Manager who can take up HR related administrative tasks (0.3 FTE) and our Chief of Staff.

About you

• Proven experience leading People & Culture functions in a dynamic environment (a start-up or scale-up environment is a plus)
• A track record of building people systems to excellence (we have a strong foundation)
• Experience working with both high-skilled knowledge teams and operational/plant teams
• Strong grasp of Dutch labor law, HR compliance, and best practices
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to coach, influence, and lead through others
• Strategic thinking, paired with the willingness to roll up your sleeves
• A calm, clear presence - especially during moments of change or uncertainty
• Experience in a biotech, foodtech, or manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with HR-tools like Leapsome, Homerun, Exact and equivalent

What's in it for you?

• A pivotal role in a fast-growing, purpose-driven company
• Competitive salary and Stock Appreciation Rights
• 25 days of vacation and Pension plan
• A key leadership role with direct impact on how we grow and who we become
• Visa sponsorship available for non-EU talent (+relocation support)
• Great coffee (obviously)

This is a key role in a purpose-driven, fast-growing start-up and will provide you with the chance to contribute meaningfully to sustainability and innovation.