Hybrid Category Manager, Sweet Goods bei MANE

MANE is a 5th generation French family-owned business known for innovation and progress in the world of Flavor and Fragrance.  As sensation enthusiasts, we strive to provide exceptional moments in people’s daily lives through the timeless flavors and fragrances we create.  With our passion, creativity, and innovation, “We capture what moves”.  

We have a new and exciting opportunity for an experienced Category Manager, Sweet Goods at our Development Center in Lebanon, Ohio. This role requires strong market insight, a passion for flavor innovation, and the ability to translate consumer trends and customer needs into high-performing flavor solutions. You will work closely with R&D, Sales, Marketing, Regulatory, and Supply Chain teams to drive the growth, differentiation, and profitability of the sweet flavors category. (Approximately 30% overnight travel per year) 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Category Strategy & Ownership

• Define and execute the category strategy for sweet flavor applications (e.g., confections, baked goods, dairy, pharma, functional foods or dietary supplements).
• Drive category Growth across key segments 
• Manage the flavor portfolio roadmap, balancing core offerings with new product innovation.

 Market & Competitive Analysis

• Monitor market trends, consumer preferences, competitive landscape, and regulatory developments.
• Provide insights to support product positioning, pricing strategies, and innovation pipelines.

 Product Development & Innovation

• Collaborate with R&D and Applications teams to create and refine flavor systems tailored to sweet product formats.
• Support and lead the team in the development and commercialization of new products that meet evolving market demands 

Commercial Support & Enablement

• Partner with Sales and Marketing to build compelling value propositions, sales tools, and go-to-market strategies.
• Act as the category expert in customer meetings, innovation workshops, and cross-functional projects.

Financial Performance

• Drive category performance by managing revenue, margin, and portfolio profitability.
• Support pricing strategy, cost optimization, and portfolio rationalization initiatives.
• Other duties in support of company objectives
• Consistent with MANE’s environmental commitments, every employee shall actively participate in relevant education/training based upon corporate and local environmental objectives.  Management shall support and facilitate the actions within their teams to effectively and adequately implement environmental policies, procedures and practices, as well as promote continual improvement consistent with environmental goals. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Business, or related field; advanced degree a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in flavor, food ingredient, or product/category management roles within the sweet industry.
• Strong understanding of flavor development, sensory considerations, and formulation trends in sweet applications.
• Proven ability to connect technical attributes to customer and consumer value.
• Experience working in cross-functional, matrixed environments.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills. 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Familiarity with global regulatory considerations for food ingredients.
• Experience with product formats such as pharma, functional food and/or dietary supplements  
• Background in B2B ingredient marketing or technical sales support.

MANE offers industry leading benefits including a generous PTO plan.  Additional benefits include paid holidays, annual year-end shutdown, annual and bi-weekly 401(k) contributions, tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, employee assistance programs and many more.  MANE is known for having a culture that focuses on our employees and their well-being.  See for yourself why our employees love working at MANE!

MANE is an equal opportunity employer.