Job Summary

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) is a leading innovator in the flavours, functional ingredients, health, biosciences, and scent industries. We are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and consumers. Taste, a key division within IFF, focuses on creating unique and sustainable food and beverage experiences. Our Global Key Accounts (GKA) team plays a crucial role in driving strategic partnerships and delivering exceptional value to our top clients.

We’re now excited to welcome a new Global Key Account Director for Taste and we hope it’s you!  This role can be based in our offices in Hilversum, NL or another one of our global Taste centres with the possibility for hybrid work. Proximity to the priority customer sites and frequent presence with the customer are important criteria for success.  

As the Director Global Key Account - Taste you will have full responsibility for managing and developing the Global Taste business with a top Global customer. In addition to fostering established relationships and managing existing sales, you will identify new opportunities, grow pipeline and expand your and IFF’s network. You will collaborate  with cross-functional team members, including Operations, Innovation Creation and Design, Product Experience and Marketing departments within IFF. To excel in this role you should enjoy an entrepreneurial approach to your work and thrive on developing new opportunities. You will be a part of a dynamic and driven Global Key Account team and report into the GKA VP. 

Key Responsibilities Overview:

Global Account Strategy & Execution: Drive profitable global sales growth by developing and executing long-term account strategy aligned with IFF’s priorities and financial targets. Communicate vision and global commercial strategy execution plan for the account in consultation with Regional General Managers, providing inputs for regional execution. Set commercial targets and budgets.  Manage account financials and sales team performanceLead Global Account Relationships and Collaboration: Develop and strengthen complex customer stakeholder relationships and foster cross-functional collaboration. Ensure these relationships are leveraged by the account team in the daily work. Lead global account operations. Customer Engagement: Maximize customer engagement through deep understanding of their ecosystem including strategies, brands, markets, customer competition and consumers to identify opportunities for Innovation and Renovation. Ensure IFF is uniquely positioned versus competition and perceived as an innovative, efficient and easy-to-work-with partner. Team Leadership & Development: Manage and coach a global team including one direct report (Global Business Coordinator) and 6 indirect reports (Regional Account Managers), support talent development and ensure alignment with business objectives. Coach and develop extended commercial and creative team members. Foster a team culture aligned with IFF's Vision & Values.  Project Oversight: Maintain and prioritize a strong project pipeline, lead cross-functional teams, and secure necessary resources for success.

Your Qualifications:

Experience:

Between 10-15+ years of industry related experience (F&B; Taste / Flavors preferred) with at minimum several years serving in a senior sales / commercial / category manager role and a strong track record including people management experience. 

Skills:

Organizational leader with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage at all levelsStrategic vision, innovative thinking, business acumen, and ability to drive and rally cross functional teamPassionate leader able to convey in-depth knowledge of flavours and product developmentStrong Proficiency in financial concepts/processes (pricing/margin/forecasting/cash flow)Proven ability to navigate and adapt to both customer and internal organizational complexity Expert understanding of regulatory and sustainability issues impacting the industryAnalytical mindset to interpret inputs from market trends and consumer testsStrong flavour (or fragrance) knowledge, tasting (or olfactive) skills. Knowledge of IFF solutions and technologies and industry innovation portfolio is a plus. Team player, Strategic thinker, Positive mindset, OrchestratorStrong communication, presentation, storytelling, and negotiation skillsEffective business English with a global mindset able to work with different cultures; additional language abilities are a plus

Education:

Essential: Bachelor’s degreePreferred: Concentration in Chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or Business / Marketing with strong technical background; Master’s degree

Travel for this role will be ca. 40-50% globally.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more