Category Development Manager (Beverage)

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Leverage deep consumer, customer, and market trend insights to provide strategic guidance and beverage solution recommendations that help customers develop differentiated, successful products across key beverage segments.
• Shape and advance Synergy’s Beverage innovation pipeline in close partnership with Sales, Marketing, and technical teams, ensuring ideas are translated into executable, market-ready solutions.
• Serve 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, act as the voice of the market to guide prioritization, investment, and resource allocation.

Requirements

• 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
• 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

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

Pay

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $135,000. The actual compensation will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience, and other relevant factors.

Schedule

This role is hybrid, with 3 days per week onsite and up to 30% travel to support customer engagement and industry presence.