Category Marketing Manager Chicago Regular MERIEUX NUTRISCIENCES As a trusted partner, our Public Health mission is to make food systems safer, healthier and more sustainable. Throughout our global network in 27 countries, we offer to our customers a wide range of testing and innovative solutions dedicated to preventing health risks related to food, environment and consumer goods. External growth has been a key pillar of our history with more than 40 acquisitions completed in the last 10 years.
If you want to contribute to an inspiring long-term purpose, to be part of a fast growing company on a high-value market with significant build-up opportunities, and to grow in an entrepreneurial and warm environment, join us! YOUR DAY TO DAY LIFE We are looking for a Category Marketing Manager in 401 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611 USA. Your mission will be to:
As the Category Marketing Manager, you will play a pivotal role in strategically positioning a portfolio of testing, technical, and consulting products to drive business development within key food industry categories. In this cross-functional role, you will represent the North America business unit, translating regional strategy into impactful B2B marketing plans that deliver seamless commercial execution.
This is a unique opportunity to make a measurable impact in a critical industry through insights-driven marketing. You will leverage your specific marketing experience in the food industry to create clear value propositions and consistent customer experiences.
YOUR PROFILE
Qualifications Required
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing or a related field, with a minimum of five years of professional marketing experience.
- Category Knowledge: Experience with market analysis and insights within a relevant segment of the food industry. Prior experience on the client side (manufacturing and/or production) is beneficial.
- Industry Experience: Advanced knowledge of B2B marketing in the food industry is required, ideally obtained from experience within the TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification) industry.
- Marketing Expertise: Proven success in planning and executing B2B marketing strategy & campaigns across multiple channels (digital, trade, paid media, social, owned channels).
- Project Management: Strong project management knowledge to effectively develop and implement new service improvements.
- Marketing Toolkit: Solid set of skills for performing at both the strategic and tactical level. Experience with design tools (e.g. Canva), marketing automation (Hubspot), data analysis, and Google Workspace. Displayed experience with AI across different marketing areas.
- Communication: Well-developed oral and written communication skills are essential.
Qualifications Desired
- Advanced Education: Master's degree in Marketing, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field preferred.
Category or Segment Ownership: Prior experience owning a category, segment, or portfolio strategy within a B2B environment. - Data-Driven Mindset: Advanced experience leveraging analytics, dashboards, and performance metrics to optimize marketing effectiveness and ROI.
- Change & Innovation Leadership: Experience leading new initiatives, piloting innovative marketing approaches, or launching new services/products.
- Category Experience: Experience supporting relevant market segments within the food industry, such as dietary supplements and other strategic categories (e.g., pet food, dairy, ingredients).
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Develop Strategic Roadmaps: Build comprehensive marketing roadmaps that support both near-term wins and long-term growth for key category opportunities.
- Drive Category Intelligence: Create and lead a process for consistently monitoring and reporting category insights. Use these outputs to guide strategic storytelling and category planning.
- Identify Opportunities: Assess evolving market conditions and competitor insights to identify sales and revenue opportunities that inform the broader category strategy.
- Innovate: Apply an innovation mindset to drive new marketing tactics and potential new services development to capitalize on "white space" within specific categories.
- Lead Integrated Campaigns: Collaborate with the full Marketing team to develop impactful campaigns and selling tools that drive category-specific opportunities.
- Empower Sales: Grow commercial knowledge by collaborating with Sales experts and Operations leadership. Develop marketing for insight-based solutions, encompassing analytical and technical services, to support high-value sales conversions.
- Optimize Capacity: Partner with Sales on regional category development plans that capitalize on available operations capacity.
- Manage Trade Initiatives: Work with the commercial team on key trade marketing initiatives (shows, associations) to drive awareness of core capabilities among influential category leaders.
- Create Collateral: Lead the development of category-specific sales and marketing collateral that supports primary business initiatives.
- Serve as the Expert: Act as the internal team expert regarding developments and trends within your assigned key categories.
- Build Relationships: Interact with external stakeholders (customers, industry specialists, trade associations) to build rapport and deeply understand market dynamics.
- Gain Client Perspective: Participate in sales calls, scientific shows, and other touchpoints to build a strong knowledge of client needs.
- Other related duties as assigned.
- At any time, the incumbent must behave and operate in an ethical and Code of Conduct compliant manner.
Success Factors / Job Competencies
- Strategic Storyteller: Deliver insights-driven initiatives that inspire teams and customers.
- Autonomous Leader: Launches impactful projects and independently translates strategy into winning business tactics.
- Collaborative Influencer: Shares expertise, drives cross-functional success, and advances both local and regional goals.
- Business Builder: Combines sharp financial acumen with market analysis to develop growth plans and value propositions.
- Engaging Communicator: You excel in presentations, project management, and building strong relationships across expert services and corporate functions.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Physical Demands: Frequently required to stand, walk, and travel long distances. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds of marketing materials and equipment. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: Work involves frequent travel by car, plane, or other modes of transportation. Must be able to adapt to different work environments and work independently. Travel
- Frequent travel is required to meet clients, attend trade shows, and participate in sales meetings.
- Travel may constitute 20% of work time, including both domestic and international destinations.
- Must be able to travel on short notice and manage a variable schedule.
Compensation Package Overview:
- Compensation Range $95,000- $105,000 annual salary USD
- Potential bonus: Up to 10% based on performance.
Full Time Eligible Benefits Overview:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- Generous paid time off (PTO) package to support work-life balance following state and local ordinances.
- Optional 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.
#LI-KC
WHY JOIN US?
- Because you would contribute to an inspiring Public Health purpose, supported by long-term and visionary shareholders.
- Because you would have an impact on our strategic pillars that build on 50 years of experience and expertise.
- Because you would be part of a community of an enthusiastic and skilled group of people who love co-building together and serving a purpose bigger than them.
- Because you would be welcome as you are, in a diverse and open-minded environment that is rich in our singularities and differences.
- Because you would grow in an international group of more than 8200 fantastic team members, with plenty of opportunities to learn and share.
Ready for the journey? To apply please click on 'Apply now' button
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Merieux NutriSciences
vision insurance, paid time off, 401(k)
Jan 28, 2026