Category Development Manager (Beverage)

The Category Development Manager CDM – Beverage leads the commercial strategy and growth of Synergy’s Beverage business, with primary responsibility for identifying, targeting, and converting new beverage customers and growth opportunities. Leveraging deep consumer, customer, and market trend insights, the CDM provides strategic guidance and beverage solution recommendations that help customers develop differentiated, successful products across key beverage segments. As the commercial lead for beverage innovation, the CDM shapes and advances Synergy’s Beverage innovation pipeline in close partnership with Sales, Marketing, and technical teams, ensuring ideas are translated into executable, market-ready solutions. The CDM also serves as the external face and subject matter expert for Synergy’s Beverage business, engaging customers, prospects, and industry partners while representing Synergy at key industry events. Internally, the CDM acts as the voice of the market to guide prioritization, investment, and resource allocation. How You Will Contribute Roles and Responsibilities: • Lead the development and execution of business plans for the Beverage business, with a strong focus on identifying, prioritizing, and converting new customer and market opportunities. • Identify attractive beverage market segments and growth platforms by assessing market landscape, competitive offerings, and Synergy capabilities; identify capability gaps and communicate requirements to R&D and senior leadership. ·         Identify and explore new business models, strategic partnerships, and external collaborations that expand Synergy’s role in the beverage ecosystem and accelerate growth opportunities. • Translate consumer, customer, and industry trend data into actionable insights, value propositions, and beverage product recommendations. • Serve as the commercial lead for the Beverage innovation pipeline, partnering with technical teams to prioritize, advance, and commercialize new beverage solutions, technologies, and platforms. • Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on pipeline generation programs, demand creation, and go to market initiatives. • Develop sales enablement tools, messaging, and training that support customer engagement. • Act as the voice of the customer and market to inform opportunity prioritization, pricing strategy, investment decisions, and resource allocation. • Partner with Account Managers, Sales Directors, and VP Sales to develop and execute strategies for target beverage accounts and new account conversion. • Serve as the external subject matter expert for Synergy’s Beverage business with customers, prospects, and at industry events. • Engage with global colleagues to share best practices and align strategy. Required Experience: • Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing (with strong technical acumen) or Food Science, Chemistry • Master’s Degree a plus. • Direct beverage industry experience with experience in marketing ingredients to beverage companies a plus • 8+ years job related experience in product management, marketing, and/or sales in the food ingredients and/or flavor industry. • Experience in new product development from conception to market launch. • Experience in leading cross-functional teams to execute strategies. Required Skills: • Customer-centric, high-energy self-starter who thrives in external engagement, industry forums, and collaborative environments.  • Strong commercial and solution-selling skills with a track record of identifying opportunities, engaging customers, and converting them into growth.  • Compelling communicator with executive presence; able to sell ideas, insights, and value propositions to customers, partners, and senior leaders.  • Highly effective networker and relationship builder who connects customers, market insights, and internal capabilities to create new opportunities.  • Leads through influence, aligning cross-functional teams and driving action without formal authority.  • Strong analytical mindset with the ability to turn consumer and market data into clear customer recommendations and business decisions.  • Deep understanding of the flavor and food ingredient marketplace and competitive landscape.  • Role is onsite 3 days per week with up to 30% travel to support customer engagement and industry presence.  Salary Range : $100,000 - $135,000 The actual compensation that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled. For more information on our benefits click here. Department: Marketing and Business Development Location: Wauconda, Illinois Work Arrangement: Hybrid Reporting To: Associate Director of Business Development