Through the IFS Academy, we transform standards and sustainability requirements into practical learning solutions that support auditors, certification bodies, and companies across the entire supply chain.
Britta Müllender, Deputy Director Market Development
We are pleased to highlight Britta Müllender, Deputy Director Market Development at IFS. With her background in international supply chains and partnership development, she plays a key role in strengthening learning solutions and market development activities across the IFS Network.
A career rooted in curiosity and cross-cultural experience
Born and raised in Germany, Britta's professional path has always been guided by curiosity, cultural openness, and a passion for global supply chains. Her journey began at the University of Cologne, where she studied Business and China Studies, spent two semesters abroad, and wrote her bachelor's thesis at a Chinese consultancy supporting Metro Cash & Carry suppliers.
Firsthand lessons from the field
Her close collaboration with agricultural producers and processors in China provided Britta with firsthand insight into the realities of farming and the challenges suppliers face in accessing international markets. Recognising the necessity of robust standards for fair, sustainable, and reliable market access alongside food safety, this experience inspired a deep commitment to these principles. Motivated by these insights, Britta next sought opportunities in roles where she could promote food safety and market sustainability more broadly, marking a transition from field-level insights gained through close collaboration with producers to strategic advocacy.
Building global partnerships for growers
Following her impactful work in China, Britta transitioned to Agraya GmbH, the former GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat. There, she initially led the Capacity Building and later advanced to the Strategic Partnerships team. In these roles, she drove global initiatives helping growers enter local markets and gradually expand into international markets, while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. This cumulative experience positioned her to build collaborations with stakeholders worldwide, leading to her current role at IFS.
Connecting learning, markets, and stakeholders
At IFS, Britta combines market development with a strong focus on the IFS Academy. In her role as Deputy Director Market Development, she is responsible for further developing the Academy and its growing training portfolio, with particular emphasis on expanding the new e-learning platform EPIC. She develops and promotes training solutions for industry, certification bodies, and auditors in close cooperation with colleagues and partners.
At the same time, she drives partnerships with associations and certification bodies, champions IFS Supply Chain Solutions, and supporting stakeholders in understanding and addressing evolving EU sustainability and due diligence requirements, and the solutions IFS offers to address them. Through this integrated approach, Britta supports sustainable market development while helping stakeholders build transparent, resilient, and future-oriented supply chains while ensuring the integrity and safety of their products.
Embracing new challenges at IFS
With over thirteen years of experience in pre-farm-gate standards and certification, Britta joined IFS to expand her expertise into the post-farm-gate domain and engage with a broader segment of the supply chain. She was drawn to IFS's strong reputation for trust, transparency, and continuous improvement, qualities that align closely with her own professional values. What motivates her most is the opportunity to leverage her experience in building partnerships and facilitating market access within an international environment, while continuing to expand her knowledge and collaborate with colleagues dedicated to shaping the future of global supply chains.