Category Marketing Manager - Beverages

Join us and celebrate the beauty of human experience. Create for happier, healthier lives, with love for nature. Together, with passion and creativity, we deliver food innovations, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions. There’s much to learn and many to learn from, with more than 16,000 employees around the world to explore ideas and ambitions with. Every day, your talent, your innovative spirit, and your determination will shape our future, making a positive difference on billions of people. Every essence of you enriches our world. We are Givaudan. Human by nature.  

A Category Marketing Manager with the global leader in the creation of Taste & Wellbeing and Fragrance & Beauty, and an essential member of our Taste & Wellbeing Regional Innovation team focusing on the exciting Beverages category for the dynamic SAMEA (South Asia, Middle East, and Africa) region.

This is an individual contributor role based in our Dubai office in the United Arab Emirates and directly reporting to the Taste & Wellbeing Head of Regional Innovation for the SAMEA region. You will be a key member of our Taste & Wellbeing Regional Innovation team.

You will be in charge of the strategy and innovation roadmap for the Beverages category for the SAMEA region and establish a clear vision focusing on value creation and bottom line, to ensure our continued success in the region. You will define, shape, and develop the category strategy, priorities and tactical plans and partner with our local, regional, and global teams to provide marketing expertise internally and externally. You will be also offer excellent opportunities to work and collaborate with multiple Taste & Wellbeing partners in our Commercial organisation, Science and Technology, Creation and Application, Consumer & Sensory Insights, Pricing, Operations, Purchasing, and Frontline technical teams.

We are looking for someone who can use an understanding of the consumer landscape to build, maintain, and deliver the industry’s best pipeline of programmes and presentations covering customer trends, capabilities and new ideas. Also, ensure that our products, technology and concepts are showcased in ways that offer valued solutions for our customers’ brands. This is your opportunity to not only bring your knowledge and excellence to Givaudan but also to learn from some of the best in the taste industry and to work with many of the world’s most iconic food and beverage brands.

The role offers a rare career opportunity where B2B marketing gets fuelled by consumer understanding. It’s a fast-paced industry, and we pride ourselves on our winning record, so bring your drive and spirit!

In this exciting role, you will:

Develop category strategies, priorities and action plans -

• Be the regional subject matter expert for Beverages by analysing customer products, growth rates, shares, new product introductions, and competitive landscape.

• Identify gaps and business opportunities in the Beverages category and drive regional or global development projects to address those opportunities.

• Closely collaborate with internal and external partners (e.g. Sales, Regional Product Manager, Technical teams, Flavour Creation, Consumer & Sensory Insights).

Partner with local markets to provide expertise to our customers -

• Build an ongoing pipeline of customer trends, capabilities, and innovation presentations aligned with regional and global strategic priorities and account plans.

• Lead the development of new Beverages concepts for our customers in collaboration with our Consumer and Sensory Insights, Application and Flavour Creation teams.

• Ensure that our products, technology and concepts are translated to be relevant to the customer brands and local markets.

• Ensure the regional marketing activity is consistent with and supports the Taste & Wellbeing branding and positioning.

Collaborate with global and regional product managers on commercialisation opportunities -

• Ensure that our products, technologies, and concepts are relevant for the markets, fully understood by our local teams and well known by our customers.

About You

Are you someone who wants to grow and shape your own world? Who thrives being in a culture where you can express yourself in a creative team environment? Who wants to collaborate and learn together with teams who are as passionate as you are? Then come join us – and impact your world.

Your professional profile includes:

• A University degree in a relevant business or marketing discipline. An MBA will be advantageous.

• Ideally 10+ years of relevant experience in B2B or B2C marketing and brand management for the flavour or food and beverages industry in international work environments.

• Previous experience in Beverages is mandatory!

• Strong knowledge of B2C marketing is an advantage

• A good understanding of marketing strategy and principles, including brand building and value propositions.

• A passion for innovation and any experience in innovation management will be advantageous

• Strong project management and presentation skills.

• Comfortable in working and collaborating with diverse teams and cultures.

• Proficient in the English language. Knowledge of additional languages like Arabic and French will be advantageous.

• Willing to travel within the SAMEA region as needed (~ 20% of the time).

Our benefits:

• Attractive package with benefits.

• Excellent opportunities for progressive learning and development.

• A creative team environment that will inspire you.

At Givaudan, you contribute to delightful taste and scent experiences that touch people’s lives.
You work within an inspiring teamwork culture – where you can thrive, collaborate and learn from other talented and passionate people across disciplines, regions and divisions.
Every essence of you enriches our world.
Diversity drives innovation and creates closer connections with our employees, customers and partners.
Givaudan embraces diversity and is committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone impacts our world.