VP, Sales - Bakery

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.; Kansas; On-site; USD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is seeking a strategic commercial leader to shape the North America bakery growth strategy.

The role focuses on delivering revenue, gross profit, and operating income targets while expanding key customer relationships across distributors and major accounts. You will drive forecasting, pipeline management, and cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Regulatory teams to accelerate commercialization and profitability in

Qualifications

• 15+ years of commercial leadership experience in food ingredients, bakery, food manufacturing, or related industries.
• Proven track record of leading sales organizations and delivering strong commercial and financial results.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing growth strategies in complex business environments.
• Strong ability to influence senior customer stakeholders and cross-functional internal teams.
• Experience managing strategic accounts, large-scale negotiations, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Solid financial acumen with experience managing revenue, profitability, pricing, and margin objectives.
• Ability to lead organizational change and drive execution across multiple functions and priorities.
• Willingness to travel approximately 40% to 50% within North America, with occasional global travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the North America Bakery growth strategy to support long-term business objectives.
• Deliver annual revenue, gross profit, and operating income targets while driving sustainable, profitable growth.
• Lead sales forecasting, pipeline management, and strategic account planning processes across the region.
• Drive commercialization of innovation platforms and strategic growth initiatives to accelerate business performance.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Strategic account management

Sales forecasting

Financial acumen

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiations

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Food Science, Marketing, or related field

Job description

Job Summary

Are you a strategic commercial leader ready to shape the future of bakery innovation and drive profitable growth across North America? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Food Ingredients: Innovating improved nutritional profiles, better taste and texture, and greater cost efficiency to meet the needs of global food and beverage manufacturers. The role is based in North America. Be part of a strategic, customer-focused, growth-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You'll Make a Difference

Develop and execute the North America Bakery growth strategy to support long-term business objectives. Deliver annual revenue, gross profit, and operating income targets while driving sustainable, profitable growth. Lead sales forecasting, pipeline management, and strategic account planning processes across the region. Drive commercialization of innovation platforms and strategic growth initiatives to accelerate business performance. Build and strengthen executive-level relationships with key customers, distributors, and industry stakeholders. Lead strategic business planning with major accounts and high-growth customers across bakery segments. Partner closely with Applications, Research & Development (R&D), Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Customer Service teams to advance customer projects and innovation opportunities. Identify, qualify, and convert high-value business opportunities while supporting portfolio optimization and profitable growth initiatives. Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing commercial organization focused on accountability, collaboration, customer centricity, and growth.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Food Science, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 15 years of commercial leadership experience within food ingredients, bakery, food manufacturing, or related industries.
• Proven track record of leading sales organizations and delivering strong commercial and financial results.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing growth strategies in complex business environments.
• Strong ability to influence senior customer stakeholders and cross-functional internal teams.
• Experience managing strategic accounts, large-scale negotiations, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Solid financial acumen with experience managing revenue, profitability, pricing, and margin objectives.
• Ability to lead organizational change and drive execution across multiple functions and priorities.
• Willingness to travel approximately 40% to 50% within North America, with occasional global travel as required.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or other advanced degree.
• Deep understanding of bakery ingredients, formulations, manufacturing processes, and evolving market trends.
• Experience commercializing innovative solutions in areas such as clean label, protein enrichment, fiber enrichment, dough systems, enzymes, emulsifiers, food protection, or sustainability-focused products.

Why Choose Us?

Opportunity to shape the strategic direction and growth of a key business segment across North America. Exposure to senior leadership and collaboration with global cross-functional teams. A culture that values innovation, partnership, accountability, and continuous improvement. Opportunities to lead high-performing teams and develop future commercial leaders. Access to learning, development, and career growth opportunities within a global organization. The ability to make a meaningful impact through customer partnerships and industry-leading innovation.

#LI-DNI

For your awareness, IFF has announced its intention to sell its Food Ingredients Business to CVC Capital Partners. The sale is presently expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. The Food Ingredient business unit will remain a part of IFF until close and, at such time, it will transition to CVC Capital Partners. In applying for this position, you acknowledge your awareness that the position is a part of the Food Ingredient business unit and has been identified to transition to CVC Capital Partners.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy.

At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential.

We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status.

We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more

At IFF, we make joy through science, creativity and heart.

As the global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences, we deliver groundbreaking, sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products – advancing wellness, delighting the senses and enhancing the human experience.

We value an inclusive, creative workplace where all individuals can thrive and do their best work.

We consider all qualified candidates equally and based on merit, without regard to religion, ethnicity, national origin, race, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or disability.