Sr Category Manager

Symrise AG; Teterboro (NJ); On-site; USD 121,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Symrise AG seeks a Category Strategy Lead for savory foods to define 3–5 year category strategy and annual operating plans in collaboration with the Category Director Food. The role drives revenue growth, margin development, and strategic priority setting for the category across markets.

You will lead portfolio positioning, technology project scoping, and cross-functional execution with sales, marketing and product teams to ensure a robust innovation pipeline and timely go-to-market efforts.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop 3–5 year category strategy and annual operating plan with targets.
• Initiate and lead programs to maximize profit margins and set pricing targets.
• Define category/customer priorities and execute annual plan with sales support.
• Collaborate with sales on reactive and proactive account activities and GTM strategies.
• Oversee category portfolio communication and lead commercialization of new technologies.
• Monitor and prioritize project flows with applications, innovation and marketing.

Skills

Entrepreneurial spirit

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Presentation skills

Public speaking

Maturity and tact

Microsoft Office

SAP

Education

MS Food Science or MBA Business equivalent or higher preferred

BS Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering or Business or equivalent required

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

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 a defined food category(s) within the overall savory business unit in conjunction with the Category Director Food. The role is responsible for the sales and margin development of the defined savory category/s as well as determining the strategic customer and competency priorities of the category. The role manages the design, positioning and communication of the category portfolio to meet the needs of the market consistent with our global competency approach, including identifying and any product/technology gaps. Defines and manage any level 1 and 2 technology projects that fill the category portfolio gaps and lead the commercialization of these technologies. Ensures the category, including our internal project management processes function smoothly and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• A. Develop 3-5 year category strategy and annual operating plan. Establish, agree and track the delivery of category revenue and profit targets and participate in annual budget and forecasting processes.
• B. Initiate and lead programs to maximize and improve profit margins as well as establishing pricing and margin targets for the category and new product lines or technologies.
• C. Define the category and customer priorities and focus and execute the annual plan in conjunction with sales. Assist sales in the development, positioning and implementation of our tactical account plans and category go to market strategies
• D. Together with sales participate 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.
• E. Manage the design, positioning and communication of the category product portfolio including identifying and product/technology gaps. Define and manage any level 1 and 2 technology projects that fill the portfolio gaps and lead the commercialization of these technologies. Ensure the business has a robust innovation pipeline of customer/category relevant ideas backed up with sound business cases and financial assessment.
• F. Monitor, prioritize and effectively manage the overall project flows with applications, innovation and marketing, ensuring we meet and exceed our customers' time, delivery and cost expectations. Ensure our project management processes function smoothly and efficiently for both reactive and proactive projects.

Other Functions:

• A. Interact with global colleagues to share best practices and contribute to the Symrise Global Competency and BU community.
• B. Understand consumer trends and industry trends for yearly reporting and business plan development or adjustments.
• C. Have deep knowledge of Savory market including: meat alternatives, processed meat, snacks and broth.
• D. Business travel required in the U.S. and possibly International.

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, marketing and or business experience
• 7 + years in the flavor or food ingredient business preferred

Skills & Abilities:

• 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.
• Maturity in judgment, tact and timeliness.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); Lotus Notes and SAP a plus.

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 120605.00 - USD 153000.00. 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.