Senior Regional Marketing Manager

Barry Callebaut is the heart and engine of the cocoa and chocolate industry.

To fuel our growth ambitions in the Asia Pacific region, we are looking for a Regional Senior Marketing Manager, Brands & Innovation Development.

This role will lead the brands and portfolio strategy targeting at our premium Gourmet and Industrial customers, particularly focusing on portfolio development and governance, consumer market insights, and innovation commercialization across our chocolate and cocoa portfolio.

As an integral part of the regional marketing team, he/she will work closely with global, regional and local teams to translate insights into winning brand, portfolio and innovation strategies that accelerate sustainable growth across APAC.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting into the APAC Regional Marketing Director (based in Singapore), he/she will need to:

Brands & Portfolio Development

• Serve as the regional brand leader for the Callebaut brand, partnering closely with global and local teams to adapt global strategies, campaigns, and assets to regional market needs and opportunities.
• Lead the regional governance and optimization of the product portfolio across both Food Manufacturers (FM) and Gourmet customer segments, including brands such as Callebaut, Cacao Barry, and Specialty Products.
• Ensure local markets execute the optimal marketing mix by providing clear direction on portfolio strategy, pricing architecture, packaging, product positioning, and portfolio rationalization.

Brand & Segment Insights

• Translate global customer segment strategies and marketing platforms into regionally relevant plans across key segments such as Bakery & Pastry, Ice Cream, Chocolate Confectionery, and Food Manufacturing.
• Establish regional leadership in market intelligence, consumer insights & trends.
• Lead research studies (as necessary) to uncover actionable insights, including sensory preferences, consumption behaviours, and brand health across markets, transforming findings into innovation opportunities and growth platforms.
• Cross pollinates materials from local markets in the region, consolidating the tools, resources, and assets needed to scale activation excellence, (e.g. insight portals, segment playbooks, and compelling product) concepts.

Innovation Development

• Lead the development, validation, and commercialization of global/regional innovations across the APAC region, ensuring initiatives are grounded in robust consumer and customer insights.
• Manage innovation projects through the Stage-Gate process, from opportunity identification and concept development through validation, launch, and post-launch evaluation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Sales, Operations, Finance, and Global Marketing teams to accelerate innovation delivery and maximize commercial success.
• Drive the regional innovation pipeline to support strategic growth objectives, strengthen competitive advantage, and deliver differentiated value to customers and consumers.

Strategic Leadership

• Act as the strategic link between Global CX teams and local country teams, ensuring effective localization and execution of global priorities.
• Influence senior stakeholders across functions and geographies to align resources, priorities, and investments behind key growth initiatives.

ABOUT YOU

• Min Degree in Marketing/Communications
• Excellent language skills, written and spoken (Proficiency in English; at least one other language is preference)
• Occasional travel in the region is part of the job
• Min 12 years of marketing experience, preferably in a B2C MNC with considerable knowledge in brand management and innovation development
• Prior experience working in a regional capacity will be an advantage
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen
• A good presenter, able to deliver strong and convincing marketing & product concepts to both internal and strategic customers
• A team player with strong communication skills
• Possess leadership skills and the ability to influence without authority, as well as stakeholder's management
• Collaborative yet assertive
• Possess passion for crafting great product concepts and exceptional brand experiences
• Hands-on person, always ready to roll up the sleeves and do work
• Able to work independently without supervision
• Loves to eat chocolates!