About The Role

• As the Marketing Director for BC Japan, this role is responsible for developing and implementing our brand portfolio and innovation strategy of Barry Callebaut's Gourmet and Food Manufacturers division across the various market segments in Japan & Korea to fuel our business growth with artisans and mass retail brands.
• The position will identify key growth drivers for the priority market segments and ensure excellence in execution at the customer level of new concepts, brand activation and new launches. As a member of the Japan Leadership Team, this position will play a pivotal role for Japan management.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Activities include : "Customer Journey & Market Intelligence", "Product Portfolio Management & Development" and "Local Market Activation"

• Customer Journey & Market Intelligence:

• Market/Segment Strategy : Define specific market & segment strategy/priorities, Understand competitor sets & role of chocolate in each product segment, Establish product segment priorities, winning concepts, opportunity scoping by markets

• Governance of Inspiration/Co-creation process : Ensure effectiveness and executional excellence of Inspiration/Co-creation (joint workshop with customers) process.
• Consumer Market Insights(CMI) : Plan & execute consumer studies (e.g. insights activation workshop) when necessary, Maintain & update CMI resources to stay on trend.

• Digital Marketing: Define/execute digital marketing roadmap to further penetrate the Japan & Korea market.

• Product Portfolio Management & Development:

• 6Ps Management: Manage 6Ps (Proposition, Product, Packaging, Price, Place, Promotion) of product range which includes USP's (Unique Selling Position), range architecture, sell-in story (value-based) and consumer validation

• Project Management/Pipeline Development: Manage innovation project and Develop pipeline based on in depth market/product segment knowledge
• Portfolio Simplification, Harmonization & Gap-filling
• Product Marketing & Comms: Ensure new product launches & communication (incl. digital), Create year-long activation programs & assets

• Performance Tracking: Track/monitor performance, P&L & MTP (mid-term plan) forecast

• Local Market Activation:

• Solution Selling: Work closely with local commercial teams in proactive solution selling (Inspiration/Co-creation), Based on sales' customer strategy, plan out in-market customer engagement/activation programs, Manage execution with local sales, application/chef resources

• Local Market Adaption & Execution: Adapt global/regional marketing assets to suit local context, Localize insights materials/concepts to support local customer presentations

• Execute new product launches locally

• Work closely with internal stakeholders (e.g. Managing Director, Sales, R&D, Chocolate Academy and Finance) and external stakeholders (e.g. key customers and distributors)

About You

• Bachelor Degree in Marketing or related field
• Master Degree in Marketing, Food Science or similar (Preferred)
• Min 10 years of marketing experience in B2C FMCG beverage or food industry with international experience or exposure
• Excellent language skills: Fluent in Japanese - Proficiency in English required
• Experience in translating consumer and market understanding into powerful concepts
• Experience in leading innovation projects
• Experience in digital communication
• Japanese with international experience or exposure
• Strong business acumen
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen
• Hypothesis building/verification skills
• Project/Program management skills

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we've experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong.
#oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.