Olam Food Ingredients - Category Manager - Chocolate & Confectionery Segment

About ofi:

Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) is a global leader offering 'on-trend' sustainable, value-added food ingredients & solutions, enabling consumers to enjoy the healthy & indulgent products they love. OFI is a part of the Olam Group, a leading food and agri-business, supplying food ingredients, feed, and fibre to thousands of customers worldwide, ranging from multi-national organizations with world famous brands to small family run businesses. More information about Olam can be found here. OFI was formed in January 2020 as part of the re-organisation of the Olam Group. More information on that can be found here.

About the region:

APAC:

- The APAC region is the source of many of our ingredients, and we have deep relationships with farmers, supporting many in sustainability programs. At our processing facilities we are helping customers to respond to food and beverage trends across the region which are rapidly evolving. Our insights team tracks market trends to get the most relevant, targeted, and up-to-date consumer preferences.

- We are seeing unique flavour and color mashups including mocha cheesecake, and sweet and spicy stuffed snacks. With our ability to both source and innovate using our range of complementary ingredients, we can collaborate with our customers to create new, adventurous concepts that tap into these fast-moving trends. ofi in India aims to be the supplier of choice, from sourcing and processing to logistics and marketing.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Development: Collaborate with a dynamic team to create innovative chocolate spreads, ice cream coatings, and bakery fillings, ensuring the highest quality and meeting market demands.

2. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product developers specializing in snacks, bakery, beverages, and culinary products to enhance overall product portfolio coherence.

3. Cocoa Expertise: Engage with the Cocoa Centre of Expertise and collaborate with cocoa leads from various centers to stay abreast of industry trends and advancements.

4. Consumer Trend Analysis: Stay vigilant on consumer preferences and market trends, proactively identifying opportunities for new product development.

5. Customer Engagements through Innovation Days: Organize and lead innovation days for customers, showcasing new products, and providing insights into market trends and emerging technologies.

6. Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify gaps and opportunities contributing to the continuous evolution of the product portfolio.

7. Customer Service: Serve as a primary point of contact for technical matters for customers in India, Middle East, and Africa, understanding their needs and aligning product development efforts accordingly.

Qualification and Experience:

1. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.

2. 7 to 10 years of experience in product development within the chocolate and confectionery industry

3. Strong knowledge of cocoa processing and its applications in various products is preferable.

4. Proven ability to spot and capitalize on consumer trends.

5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

6. Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

This is an exciting opportunity for a mid-level professional to contribute to the innovation and growth of our product portfolio. If you are passionate about creating delightful chocolate experiences and thrive in a collaborative environment, we invite you to apply.

At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions will be based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.