Category Director

Symrise AG; Teterboro (NJ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Symrise is seeking a Category Strategy Lead for the NA Food category, responsible for sales and margin development and strategic priorities. You will lead 2-3 Category Managers, shape category portfolio strategy, and collaborate to meet market needs and go-to-market plans.

The role drives core listings, negotiates terms with customers, interfaces with legal, and aims to align strategy with execution across sales, innovations and marketing. Strong leadership and strategic thinking are essential.

Qualifications

• MS Food Science or MBA Business equivalent or higher preferred.
• BS Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering or Business or equivalent required.
• 5+ years commercial or business experience.
• 10+ years in the flavor or food ingredient business preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops category strategy and annual operating plan to meet sales and margin targets.
• Collaborates with Sales, Technical, and Marketing to execute the plan and pipeline.
• Maintains superior understanding of consumers, brands, and technology interactions.
• Leads a 2-3 person category team to drive financial performance and initiatives.
• Participates in key account activities, marketing initiatives, and client relationships.

Skills

Savory mindset

P&L ownership

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Travel willingness

Team mentorship

Education

MS in Food Science or MBA

BS in Food Science / Chemistry / Engineering / Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Lotus Notes

Job description

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances and flavors, cosmetic active ingredients as well as functional ingredients. Its customers include perfume, cosmetics, food and beverage manufacturers, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of dietary supplements and pet food.

With sales of around €4.9 billion in the 2025 financial year, the company is one of the world's leading providers. The Group, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, has more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

Together with its customers, Symrise develops new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked.

Symrise - always inspiring more...

Your role

Position Summary:

Develops the strategy and annual operating plan of defined Food category(s) within the overall NA business unit. The role is responsible for the sales and margin development of the defined category/s as well as determining the strategic customer and competency priorities of the category. The role manages a team of 2-3 Category Managers and is responsible for the design, positioning and communication of the category portfolio to meet the needs of the market, including identifying any product/technology gaps. This position will drive the core listing process with sales, negotiate favorable terms and interface with the legal department. Savory food mindset and drive P&L.

Category Strategy, Operating Plans and Execution:

Develops the category strategy and annual operating plans as appropriate. Executes the plan in conjunction with Sales, Innovations and Marketing ensuring all financial targets are met.

Category Understanding:

Develops and maintains superior category understanding (Consumers, Customer Brands and Strategies and Application and Technology interactions).

Category Leadership:

Leads a team of 2-3 Category Managers to drive financial performance and proactive initiatives across the assigned categories.

Sales and Business Development:

Assists sales in the development and implementation of account plans including direct customer presentations, customer negotiations as well as helping to shape and define new sales opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• A. Develop 3-5 year category strategy and annual operating plan to meet sales and margin objectives of the division. Collaborate with Sales, Technical and Marketing to execute the annual operating plan and project pipeline. Provide Sr. management updates on progress, barriers to success and market dynamics impacting the category plan.
• B. Develop and maintain superior Category Understanding (Consumers, Customer Brands and Strategies and Application and Technology interactions.) Work with Marketing and Technical to develop and execute go-to-market presentations which are customer, consumer and brand relevant, set us apart from our competition and supports winning submissions.
• C. Provide a leading role in the direction, development and management of the applications group. Ensure the applications group has the right level of skills and training and provide a leading role in the development of an agile, creative and fast paced wining organization for the defined categories. Ensure we meet and exceed our customers' time, delivery and cost expectations and our project management processes function smoothly and efficiently.
• D. Together with sales directly participate in key reactive and proactive account activities, including marketing initiatives and relationship management goals. Interface and build relationships with identified key client decision makers and position Symrise with targeted brand, technical and innovation managers. The role is a key part of our business development process.
• E. Lead the Category team to ensure alignment of strategy and approach across all categories within area responsibility. Mentor and grow direct reports. Monitor and enhance their individual growth as well as that of their assigned categories.

Knowledge and Experience Requirements:

• MS Food Science or MBA Business equivalent or higher preferred
• BS Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering or Business or equivalent required
• 5 + years commercial or business experience
• 10 + years in the flavor or food ingredient business preferred

Skills & Abilities:

• Savory food mindset and drive P&L
• A 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.
• Strong negotiation skills required
• Maturity in judgment, tact and timeliness.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); Lotus Notes and SAP a plus.
• Safety/Regulatory Training Requirements DOT/HAZMAT, Normal company ISO, safety, and regulatory training.
• Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Requires tasting and evaluation of various beverage products. Must be willing and able to taste and smell flavors. U.S./International travel required.

Become part of our open and transparent culture. It will give you the opportunity to flourish and to develop inspiring experiences that contribute to the health and well-being of consumers in 160 countries around the world. Putting our employees in focus fuels our strong company growth above market rates and makes us an excellent place to develop your career.

Come join us and embark on a fascinating journey with Symrise.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or any other basis protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business necessity.

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The expected annual salary range for this position is USD 140000.00 - USD 199000.00. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and company performance.