Sr Category Manager

Symrise • Teterboro, NJ

9h

About The Position

Develops the strategy and annual operating plan for defined food categories within the savory business unit in conjunction with the Category Director Food. The role is responsible for sales and margin development, determining strategic customer and competency priorities, and managing the design, positioning, and communication of the category portfolio to meet market needs and align with the global competency approach. It identifies product and technology gaps, manages level 1 and 2 technology projects to address them, and leads commercialization of those technologies. The position also ensures category operations and internal project management processes function smoothly and efficiently.

The role develops three-to-five-year category strategies and annual operating plans; establishes, agrees, and tracks revenue and profit targets; and participates in annual budgeting and forecasting. It leads programs to improve profit margins and establishes pricing and margin targets for categories, new product lines, and technologies. Working with sales, it sets category and customer priorities, executes annual plans, supports tactical account plans and go-to-market strategies, and participates in key account activities, marketing initiatives, and relationship management. It also manages portfolio design and innovation pipelines, coordinates projects with applications, innovation, and marketing, and monitors project flow to meet customer expectations for timing, delivery, and cost.

The position collaborates with global colleagues, tracks consumer and industry trends, and draws on deep knowledge of savory markets including meat alternatives, processed meat, snacks, and broth. Business travel is required in the U.S. and may include international travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Business, or equivalent required.
• At least 5 years of commercial, marketing, and/or business experience.
• High degree of entrepreneurial spirit and energy.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Ability to think strategically and see the big picture.
• Strong presentation skills and public-speaking ability.
• Maturity in judgment, tact, and timeliness.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Food Science, MBA, or equivalent or higher preferred.
• At least 7 years in the flavor or food ingredient business preferred.
• Knowledge of Lotus Notes and SAP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop three-to-five-year category strategies and annual operating plans.
• Establish, agree, and track category revenue and profit targets; participate in annual budgeting and forecasting.
• Initiate and lead programs to improve profit margins and set pricing and margin targets for categories, new product lines, and technologies.
• Define category and customer priorities and execute annual plans in conjunction with sales.
• Assist sales with the development, positioning, and implementation of tactical account plans and category go-to-market strategies.
• Participate with sales in key reactive and proactive account activities, including marketing initiatives and relationship management goals.
• Interface with identified key client decision makers and position Symrise with targeted brand, technical, and innovation managers.
• Manage the design, positioning, and communication of the category product portfolio, including identifying product and technology gaps.
• Define and manage level 1 and 2 technology projects to fill portfolio gaps and lead commercialization of the technologies.
• Build a robust innovation pipeline of customer- and category-relevant ideas supported by sound business cases and financial assessments.
• Monitor, prioritize, and manage project flows with applications, innovation, and marketing to meet customer time, delivery, and cost expectations.
• Ensure internal project management processes function efficiently for reactive and proactive projects.
• Interact with global colleagues to share best practices and contribute to the Symrise Global Competency and business-unit community.
• Understand consumer and industry trends for yearly reporting and business plan development or adjustments.
• Maintain deep knowledge of savory markets, including meat alternatives, processed meat, snacks, and broth.
• Travel for business in the U.S. and possibly internationally.

Benefits

• Opportunity to develop a career in an open and transparent culture.
• Discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and company performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior