WE ARE IFF. We are the catalyst for discoveries that spark the senses and transform the everyday. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. is a leading innovator of sensorial experiences that move the world. At the heart of our company, we are fueled by a sense of discovery, constantly asking “What if?” That passion for exploration drives us to co-create unique scents and tastes in fine fragrances and beauty, detergents and household goods, as well as beloved foods and beverages.
Our 7,300 team members globally take advantage of leading consumer insights, research and development, creative expertise, and customer intimacy to develop differentiated products.
Dreamers and doers, we work tirelessly to discover flavors and fragrances that inspire customers and delight consumers. We are fueled by our four corporate values of passion, creativity, expertise and empowerment. It is the unique blend of these values that make us IFF. These qualities can be seen and felt throughout our amazing 129 year history and will continue to guide us as we explore our limitless possibilities and develop new-to-world solutions that enhance the lives of millions around the globe.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
The IFF Centre of Excellence for Fabric Care in Hilversum in the Netherlands is looking for a leader in fragrance and technology innovation to join us as Global Director Scent Technology & Innovation (ST&I), Fabric Care. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior-level, experienced leader to join this dynamic, category-leading team.
As Global Director ST&I Fabric Care you are responsible for developing and driving the technology innovation pipeline for the global category partnering with our R&D, Operations and Commercial teams. You will be responsible for developing partnerships on technology projects with key customers collaborating closely with them to commercialize IFF fragrance solutions which drive differentiation of their brands. You will be responsible for leading and inspiring the Scent Technology & Innovation team for Fabric Care globally and Home Care in EAME. You will also play a lead role in the Global Fabric Care Management team developing and driving the strategy for the category globally and leading and driving major changes within the organization. Lastly, together with the Global VP for ST&I, you will be responsible for developing new capabilities within the ST&I team to drive technology innovation and efficiency in line with our strategic objectives for the category.
The successful candidate will report to the Creative Director Centre of Excellence, Fabric Care (COE Director) based in Hilversum with a dotted line reporting to the Vice President, Global Scent Technology & Innovation (VP ST&I) based in the USA.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
INNOVATION
- Define and manage portfolio of category strategic initiatives actively to anticipate future needs and developments and support strategic planning process.
- Define and develop new technologies to drive consumer benefits at relevant touchpoints of laundry process that also address the needs of our customers.
- Work with category management and perfumers to brief R&D on IFF strategic ingredients and technology based on holistic needs assessment.
- Partner with R&D to define Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for new technologies and to work through the category team to assess these against the KPI’s providing relevant feedback.
- Work closely with operations, category and commercial teams to accelerate the up-scaling and commercialization of new technologies.
- Communicate on technology pipeline and strategy and deliverables with senior IFF management team including VP ST&I, COE Director and commercial leadership.
GO TO MARKET
- Help grow IFF’s Fabric Care category business with a focus on Global customers as well as priority regional customers.
- Lead technical elements of key customer projects and work through the project teams to develop winning solutions based on IFF’s patented technology and ingredient portfolio.
- Identify root causes and develop technical solutions to address technical stability, product compatibility and performance related issues.
- Partner with commercial teams to build presentations/pitches to customers for visits and core listings. Determine technology strategy and pipeline for key customers.
- Attend relevant industry events to build and maintain strong network of customers and suppliers.
TALENT
- Lead and inspire a strong team of twenty ST&I scientists and managers with five direct reports within the Hilversum Centre of Excellence.
- Manage category and regional ST&I teams, building a global network sharing and leveraging Fabric Care knowledge and best practices.
- Optimize team performance through excellent leadership, stretching goal setting, coaching and development.
- Identify and develop talent within the Global Fabric Care ST&I and COE team to elevate the technical knowledge as well as leadership competencies of the organization.
- Drive individual development and succession planning as key part of the talent development activity.
CAPABILITIES
- Drive a consumer-driven approach to scent technology development and innovation across the global team.
- Develop partnerships with relevant customers and suppliers to develop and commercial new differentiating technologies.
- Foster a collaborative mindset and build a relationship of trust with perfumers and scent design management teams to enrich and accelerate the creative process.
- Contribute to IP strategy for Fabric Care new technology and fragrance development.
- Develop laboratory technical capabilities to drive quality of science and efficiency.
- As member of the ST&I leadership team build global technical strategy and capabilities for the fragrance business across categories.
Required Skills
- Excellent ability to think strategically.
- High level of business knowledge and acumen within the FMCG or Fragrance industries.
- Passionate about fragrance and product design.
- Strong communication (both written/verbal - in English).
- Good ability to engage and drive change.
- Global mindset.
- Mobile - can travel / live abroad.
- Results driven and customer focused.
- Proficiency in English
- Other language proficiency is beneficial
Required Experience
- Minimum 15 years’ experience in the industrial food, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, consumer goods and/or fragrance industry.
- Masters or PhD degree in Science & Technology, Chemistry or related discipline.
- Ability to develop and implement global strategies.
- Proven record of managing a new innovation project portfolio globally.
- Build and inspire a large team working with multiple functions across large organization.
- Knowledgeable in lab safety, relevant application, raw materials and chemical processes.
- Experience presenting to global internal and external customers.
- Knowledge of fragrance/base interaction for the relevant categories.
- Ability to coach and mentor team members.
- Proven record of managing multiple Go-to-Market innovation / commercialization projects.
- Excellent olfactive capabilities (candidates will be required to complete internal olfactive test).