Greater Asia Category Marketing Lead – Beverages

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Greater Asia Category Marketing Lead – Beverages

🔹 Company: IFF

🔹 Location: Shanghai, China (with travel to other Greater Asia markets)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: July 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with potential travel)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and driving a 3-year category plan for Beverages in Greater Asia
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and key stakeholders to execute marketing initiatives
• Monitoring and reporting on category plan progress and performance
• Supporting strategic key accounts by executing tailored marketing strategies
• Gathering and analyzing industry insights to inform business decisions

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, project management, and stakeholder engagement. It is ideal for a marketing professional with a strong background in the Beverages industry and experience working in Greater Asia markets.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the Beverage team in developing a 3-year Category plan, building on industry insights, business strategies, and overall capabilities to define key initiatives, tactics, and resources required to grow and defend IFF business in Beverages

✅ Drive the roll-out of the Category plan with sales teams in Greater Asia markets

✅ Execute initiatives included in the Category plan, in particular marketing efforts, by collaborating with key stakeholders to develop Marketing initiatives and presenting these initiatives to key accounts

✅ Collaborate with other functions within Marketing and Product Experience to define key priorities for Beverages in the region

✅ Monitor and report on the execution of the category plan to the Global Category teams and Greater Asia leadership teams on a quarterly/Monthly basis. Track progress against category financials targets, opportunity pipeline targets, and milestones for key initiatives. Highlight corrective actions required and decisions to be made

✅ Support Strategic key accounts in engaging and developing relationships with our customers by executing on our marketing strategies tailored to our customer’s brands and consumers

✅ Leverage interaction with external and internal stakeholders to collect industry insights, derive implications for the business, and recommend actions to support our growth ambitions in the Beverages segment

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, and customer relationship management. It requires a high level of initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field. A Master's degree would be an asset.

Experience: Minimum 10 years of business experience (marketing, sales, business development), preferably in the Beverages market but with flexibility to other industries. Strong knowledge and experience of working in China, Indonesia, India, and South East Asia.

Required Skills:

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to develop and deliver impactful marketing communications to customers
• Excellent listening, analytical, and influencing skills. Demonstrated ability to collect insights (qualitative/quantitative), generate conclusions, and drive discussions with key stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate solutions
• Engagement, leadership, and high-level of energy
• Proven ability to work effectively in a matrix organization and drive cross-functional project teams through effective influence management
• Strong knowledge of strategic and operational marketing fundamentals
• Strong interpersonal skills to connect people from different parts of the organization, foster collaboration, and manage potential conflicts to move things forward and drive execution
• Highly developed written and verbal communication in English
• High proficiency with advanced analytics, AI skills

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese
• Experience working with AI-driven marketing tools and platforms

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in marketing, with a proven track record of driving growth and success in the Beverages industry. They will be highly analytical, with a strong understanding of AI-driven marketing tools and platforms. Fluency in Mandarin Chinese would be an asset.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 USD per year (based on industry standards for a senior marketing role in Greater Asia)

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with company match
• Generous vacation and time-off policies
• Employee discounts on IFF products
• Professional development opportunities and tuition reimbursement

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with potential flexibility for remote work and travel

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior marketing role in Greater Asia. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and the company's internal compensation structure.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing (specifically, Flavors, Fragrances, and Food Ingredients)

Company Size: 10,000+ employees (global leader in its industry)

Founded: 1909 (as a merger of several smaller companies)

Company Description:

• IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health, and biosciences, offering its customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating its growth strategy
• The company's mission is to make joy through science, creativity, and heart, delivering groundbreaking, sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products, advance wellness, delight the senses, and enhance the human experience
• IFF is committed to sustainability and has set ambitious targets to reduce its environmental footprint and contribute positively to communities and society

Company Specialties:

• Flavors
• Fragrances
• Food Ingredients
• Health and Biosciences
• Research and Development
• Insights and Trends
• Natural Ingredients
• Food Science
• Probiotics
• Extracts
• Animal Nutrition

Company Website: www.iff.com

ASSUMPTION: IFF is a large, global company with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and natural ingredients. It operates in a highly competitive industry and is known for its high-quality products and commitment to customer satisfaction.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Marketing Manager / Category Marketing Lead

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Greater Asia Marketing Director and works closely with the Global Category Marketing team, regional sales teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders

Work Arrangement: On-site (Shanghai, China) with potential travel to other Greater Asia markets

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential progression to a regional or global marketing leadership role within IFF
• Opportunities to gain experience in a diverse range of markets and industries within the IFF portfolio
• Access to professional development and training programs to enhance skills and advance career growth

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop leadership skills, gain exposure to diverse markets and industries, and advance their career within IFF.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities

Office Location(s): Shanghai, China (with potential travel to other Greater Asia markets)

Geographic Context:

• Shanghai is a major global city and the commercial capital of China, with a population of over 24 million people
• The city is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and modern infrastructure
• Shanghai is a major hub for the Beverages industry in Greater Asia, making it an ideal location for this role

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with potential flexibility for remote work and travel

ASSUMPTION: Shanghai offers a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with a wide range of amenities and entertainment options. The city's strategic importance in the Beverages industry makes it an ideal location for this role.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit
• In-depth behavioral and situational interviews to evaluate problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and leadership potential
• Case study or presentation task to demonstrate marketing strategy development and execution capabilities
• Final round interviews with senior leadership to discuss career aspirations and assess overall fit for the role

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Project management and execution skills
• Stakeholder engagement and influence management
• Customer relationship management
• Industry knowledge and market insights
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and team management

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing experience, industry-specific achievements, and skills that match the job requirements
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and developing concise, structured responses
• Research IFF's company culture, values, and recent projects to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and your fit within the team
• Prepare a case study or presentation that showcases your marketing strategy development and execution capabilities, focusing on a Beverages industry example

ATS Keywords: Marketing, Beverages, Category Management, Strategic Planning, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Customer Relationship Management, Industry Insights, Analytics, AI, Greater Asia, China, Indonesia, India, South East Asia

ASSUMPTION: IFF's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit. The company values candidates who are proactive, innovative, and results-driven, with a strong understanding of the Beverages industry and a passion for driving growth and success.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
• AI-driven marketing platforms (e.g., Albert, Acquisio)
• Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in a range of marketing, project management, and data analysis tools. Familiarity with AI-driven marketing platforms and data visualization tools would be an asset.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion for our customers and their consumers
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Innovation and continuous learning
• Integrity and accountability
• Sustainability and social responsibility

Work Style:

• Strategic and data-driven
• Collaborative and inclusive
• Agile and adaptable
• Results-oriented and accountable
• Committed to sustainability and social responsibility

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with IFF's value of 'passion for our customers and their consumers' and demonstrate this in your work?
• Describe a time when you had to collaborate with a diverse team to achieve a common goal. How did you foster collaboration and manage potential conflicts?
• How do you approach continuous learning and staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in marketing?
• How do you balance short-term priorities with long-term strategic planning, and how do you ensure that your team remains focused on both?

ASSUMPTION: IFF values candidates who are passionate about their work, collaborative, innovative, and committed to sustainability and social responsibility. The company seeks individuals who can thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and contribute to its mission of making joy through science, creativity, and heart.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a complex, matrix organization with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Navigating a diverse and dynamic market, with varying customer needs and preferences across Greater Asia
• Balancing short-term tactical initiatives with long-term strategic planning and execution
• Keeping up with the latest industry trends, technologies, and consumer behaviors in the rapidly evolving Beverages market
• Working effectively in a virtual or hybrid work environment, with potential travel requirements

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth and development. Successful candidates will be strategic thinkers, adaptable, and skilled at navigating complex, matrix organizations. They will also be highly motivated, results-driven, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional marketing roles, this position requires a strong focus on category management, strategic planning, and project execution
• While the role is based in Greater Asia, it involves working with global teams and requires a strong understanding of international marketing best practices
• Career progression in this role could lead to regional or global marketing leadership positions within IFF, offering significant growth potential

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on category management and strategic planning, with a global scope and significant growth potential. Candidates should have a strong background in marketing, with a proven track record of driving growth and success in the Beverages industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive market analysis and segmentation strategy for the Beverages category in Greater Asia
• Creating a targeted marketing campaign for a new beverage product launch, tailored to specific consumer segments and markets
• Conducting a competitive landscape analysis and developing a strategic response to maintain market share and drive growth in the face of increasing competition

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, analytical, and creative aspects of the role. Successful candidates will have experience in similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to develop and execute effective marketing strategies.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's approach to category management and strategic planning in the Beverages market?
• How does this role collaborate with global teams, and what opportunities are there for international exposure and learning?
• What are the key priorities for the Beverages category in Greater Asia in the next 1-3 years, and how does this role contribute to achieving those objectives?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its marketing talent?
• What is the company's approach to sustainability and social responsibility in the Beverages category, and how does this role contribute to driving positive impact?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the company's strategic priorities, growth opportunities, and commitment to employee development. They also provide insight into the company's approach to sustainability and social responsibility.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience, industry-specific achievements, and skills that match the job requirements
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and developing concise, structured responses
• Research IFF's company culture, values, and recent projects to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and your fit within the team
• Prepare a case study or presentation that showcases your marketing strategy development and execution capabilities, focusing on a Beverages industry example
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications for the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.