Syrups and Sauces Category Manager
2 days ago
Mahwah
Job Description We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Category Manager – Syrups & Sauces to lead the strategic development, performance, and innovation of our syrup and sauce portfolio within the coffee and specialty beverage ingredients category. This role is responsible for owning the category end-to-end, from market analysis and portfolio strategy to pricing, lifecycle management, and cross-functional execution. The ideal candidate combines strong consumer and customer insight with deep knowledge of coffee, beverage flavor trends, and ingredient applications, and can translate insights into profitable growth. Key Responsibilities Category Strategy & Planning • Own and execute the long-term category strategy for syrups and sauces, aligned with overall company objectives, • Define category vision, growth opportunities, and innovation roadmaps, • Analyze market trends, consumer preferences, and flavor innovation within coffee, café, and beverage channels, • Track competitive activity, pricing, and assortment strategies, • Manage the full product lifecycle, including launches, renovations, rationalization, and end-of-life decisions, • Partner with R&D to guide formulation, flavor development, and application performance, • Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness, margin, and value perception, • Work closely with finance and supply chain to manage cost drivers and improve profitability, • Act as the category expert and primary point of contact for sales, marketing, R&D, supply chain, and operations, • Support sales teams with category insights, customer presentations, and product training, • Lead new product development initiatives from concept through commercialization, • Ensure timely and successful product launches, including internal readiness and customer-facing materials, • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or a related field (MBA preferred), • 5+ years of experience in category management, product management, or brand management within food, beverage, or ingredients, • Strong knowledge of coffee, café beverages, syrups, sauces, or flavor systems preferred, • Proven ability to manage complex portfolios and drive profitable growth, • Strong analytical skills with experience using market data and financial metrics, • Strategic thinking with strong commercial acumen, • Consumer- and customer-focused mindset, • Data-driven decision making, • Project management and cross-functional leadership Lucta is committed to an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace, and is further committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic including: race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful alien status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status or disability. Hiring decisions are based upon Lucta’s operating needs, and applicant merit including, but not limited to, qualifications, experience, ability, availability, cooperation, and job performance. In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $100,000 - $125,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency. Additionally, we offer a medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick and holidays. Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy quarterly employee events that celebrates our workplace culture.