Dries Roekaerts

Background

About Dries Roekaerts

Dries worked for 5 years at Puratos as R&D and Process Improvement manager until October 2006. He had a global role within the BU vegetable creams, being responsible for product development, manufacturing process optimization, quality assurance and plant design and start up At IBM, Dries worked as R&D and supply chain consultant. He was process analyst (mainly R&D and manufacturing processes) in IT strategy and implementation projects for Food and LifeScience companies. Between 2008 and 2014 Dries worked for Barry-Callebaut in R&D. The first 3 years as product development engineer corporate accounts and between 2011 and 2014, as global responsible for R&D Gourmet and Decorations. Dries managed a team of 15 people from which 6 direct reports across Europe. He was member of the European and global Gourmet mgt teams. Between July 2014 and end of 2016, Dries was sales responsible for a strategic European key account portfolio and from January 2017 till November 2019, he was end responsible for managing a portfolio of strategic global accounts. As VP Global Gourmet between 2019 and 2022, he was leading the Global Gourmet leadership team and as such responsible for driving the global business strategy together with the different regions. Marketing of global brands and product portfolio mgt, sales capability dvpt, global supply chain and digital agenda were part of Dries' direct responsibilities in this role. During the years '22-'23, Dries has been globally responsible for the global corporate accounts and Gourmet business of Barry Callebaut. Reporting to the CEO, managing global cross-functional and -regional teams, and as such driving the commercial strategies and sponsoring key customer relationships and joint business plans across the 2 business units that span all regions. As of April '23, Dries was responsible for the Western European Gourmet business in the region EMEA. This business includes distribution & artisans, regional accounts and chain accounts. Since end '23, Dries became globally responsible for all research, innovation and technical services of the Group and member of the Executive Leadership Team. In July '25, his role has been expanded to President Customer Experience which now additionally includes the direct responsibility over commercial excellence, global marketing and specialties category management.