📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Strategic Marketing Manager (W/M)
🔹 Company: Lesaffre
🔹 Location: Marquette-lez-Lille, France
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Serving as the Intelligence Spokesperson, aggregating and summarizing information from various sources to guide the Business Unit (BU)
- Driving strategy execution and defining yearly BU must-win battles
- Collaborating with innovation teams to prioritize projects and validate business plans
- Exploring diversification opportunities and identifying new product lines and segments
- Identifying potential partners to develop new product lines and applications
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to thrive in a complex, matrix organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as the Intelligence Spokesperson, aggregating and summarizing information from various sources such as business intelligence, innovation & patent watch, and segment roadmaps to propose priority actions for the BU
✅ Follow up on strategy execution, identify deviations, and propose key projects to achieve the strategy
✅ Define and propose to the Leadership Team yearly BU must-win battles and frame related projects
✅ Work with innovation teams to prioritize projects in the Procelys project pipe and validate all projects' business plans, value propositions, and business plans
✅ Identify new usages for existing product lines, potential new product lines developments, and new segments; develop intelligence for segments not covered by segment managers
✅ Identify potential partners to develop new product lines and applications, explore markets, and propose new product lines developments for the BU
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong influencing and communication skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Minimum BSc in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, or Biology
Experience: 8+ years of experience in Sales & Marketing functions, with proven collaboration across sales, marketing, and innovation teams, and minimum 3 years of experience in strategic marketing and in operational communication or regional marketing
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership skills and the ability to grasp multidimensional topics across science and market landscapes
- Strong ability to set priorities in ambiguous or complex environments
- Naturally curious with a strong analytical mindset
- Excellent influencing and communication skills
- Experience working in multicultural environments
- Background in corporate strategy or Head of Strategy role (nice to have)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in innovation roles within a B2B Life Science ingredients company
- 5+ years of strategic marketing experience in Biotech, Pharma, or Life Sciences
- French at B2 level
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong scientific background and experience in the Life Sciences sector will be particularly well-suited to this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €70,000 - €90,000 per year (based on experience and market rates for strategic marketing roles in the Life Sciences sector in France)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Dynamic and multicultural work environment
Working Hours: Full-time (35 hours/week), with flexibility for remote work (hybrid arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Lesaffre is a key global player in fermentation, with a €3 billion turnover, and established on all continents, counting 11,000 employees and 96 nationalities. They work with customers, partners, and researchers to find ever more relevant answers to the needs of food, health, naturalness, and respect for the environment.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (large enterprise)
Founded: 1853, with a rich history in fermentation and a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability
Company Description:
- Lesaffre is dedicated to exploring and revealing the infinite potential of microorganisms to nourish 9 billion people in a healthy way by 2050
- Their mission is to make the most of the planet's resources through fermentation, contributing to a more sustainable future
- They operate in various sectors, including baking, biotechnologies, health care, and food industry, and research & development
Company Specialties:
- Fermentation technologies
- Baking ingredients
- Healthcare and biotechnology solutions
- Sustainable food production
Company Website: www.lesaffre.com
ASSUMPTION: Lesaffre's large size and global presence offer applicants extensive opportunities for career growth and international exposure.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Strategic Marketing Manager (W/M) is a senior-level role, reporting directly to the Business Unit's Leadership Team
Reporting Structure: This role is part of the Procelys Business Unit, reporting to the BU Director
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential progression to a Head of Strategy or similar role within the BU or the broader organization
- Opportunities to work on cross-functional projects and gain exposure to different aspects of the business
- Chance to develop expertise in a specific market segment or product line
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential within Lesaffre's large and diverse organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace with a mix of open-plan and private offices
Office Location(s): Marquette-lez-Lille, France (with potential for remote work)
Geographic Context:
- Marquette-lez-Lille is a suburb of Lille, the fourth-largest city in France, with a vibrant cultural scene and a strong focus on innovation and technology
- The region is home to a thriving Life Sciences and biotechnology industry, with numerous research institutions and companies
- France offers a high quality of life, with excellent healthcare, education, and leisure opportunities
Work Schedule: Full-time (35 hours/week), with flexibility for remote work (hybrid arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers applicants the best of both worlds: the opportunity to collaborate and build relationships in person, while also enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR department
- On-site interview with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
- Final interview with the BU Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and analytical skills
- Communication and influencing abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Lesaffre's values
- Problem-solving and adaptability
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic marketing experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your ability to analyze complex data and propose strategic actions
- Research Lesaffre's business and the Procelys BU to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals
ATS Keywords: Strategic Marketing, Sales, Collaboration, Innovation, Business Intelligence, Analytical Mindset, Leadership, Communication, Team Player, Multicultural Experience, Project Management, Market Analysis, Product Development, Partnership Development, Prioritization, Curiosity
ASSUMPTION: Lesaffre's application process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit, with a focus on their ability to thrive in a complex, matrix organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard in the Life Sciences and marketing industries.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer focus
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Responsibility and sustainability
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Expertise and quality
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and performance-focused
- Adaptable and resilient
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
- Are you comfortable working in a matrix organization and collaborating with diverse teams?
- Do you have a strong customer focus and a commitment to delivering high-quality results?
ASSUMPTION: Lesaffre's company culture is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and customer satisfaction, with a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills to drive strategy execution and project prioritization
- The Life Sciences industry is dynamic and fast-paced, with constant changes and new opportunities emerging
- The role involves working with complex data and requires strong analytical skills to propose strategic actions
- The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining effective communication and collaboration with remote team members
ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges in this role can be overcome by strong communication, adaptability, and a strategic mindset.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other strategic marketing roles, this position places a stronger emphasis on intelligence gathering and analysis to inform strategy
- Lesaffre's large size and global presence offer applicants more opportunities for career growth and international exposure compared to smaller companies
- This role is part of a Business Unit, allowing for more focused and agile decision-making compared to larger, more bureaucratic organizations
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider their preference for working in a large, global organization versus a smaller, more focused Business Unit when evaluating this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive business intelligence report to inform the BU's strategy and prioritize projects
- Identifying and evaluating potential new product lines or applications to expand the BU's offerings
- Collaborating with innovation teams to validate project business plans and ensure alignment with the BU's strategic objectives
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects provided are illustrative of the types of tasks and initiatives the Strategic Marketing Manager (W/M) may be involved in, but the specific projects may vary depending on the BU's priorities and market conditions.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader strategic objectives of the Procelys BU and Lesaffre as a whole?
- What are the key priorities for the BU in the coming year, and how can this role contribute to achieving them?
- How does Lesaffre support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the typical career path for someone in this role, and what opportunities exist for progression within the BU or the broader organization?
- How does the hybrid work arrangement work in practice, and what tools and technologies are used to facilitate effective communication and collaboration?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, well-researched questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company and its goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic marketing experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your ability to analyze complex data and propose strategic actions
- Research Lesaffre's business and the Procelys BU to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
