Global Category Strategy Director

Global Category Strategy Director

Join this dynamic team focused on delivering better nutrition for every step of life's journey. The Opportunity A vacancy has arisen for a Global Category Strategy Director on a permanent basis. This role is responsible for defining and executing global category strategies that enable Glanbia Health & Nutrition to achieve competitive advantage, supply continuity, cost leadership, innovation enablement, and risk mitigation across key spend categories.

The Global Category Strategy team sits within the Health & Nutrition Category & Portfolio Strategy (CPS) organization, part of the broader Commercial structure.

Set and Lead Global Category Strategy

Define and execute the global strategy for Active Lifestyle and Emerging Categories, including growth priorities, innovation roadmaps, and go-to-market approaches. Ensure alignment with broader H&N portfolio strategy and long-term business objectives.

Lead and Develop High-Performing Team

Directly manage two Global Senior Category Strategy Managers (Functional Beverages and VMS), setting clear priorities, coaching development, and ensuring strong execution. Foster a culture of strategic thinking, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.

Drive Global Category Insights and Opportunity Identification

Lead synthesis of global market, consumer, and competitive insights to identify high-value growth opportunities. Establish clear prioritization frameworks across Active Lifestyle and Emerging segments.

Own Category Performance and Growth Delivery

Monitor category, customer, and portfolio performance; identify risks and opportunities. Drive actions to achieve revenue, margin, and pipeline targets across categories.

Lead Innovation and Pipeline Development

Define and govern the category innovation pipeline and roadmap across managed categories. Ensure alignment between customer demand, technology capabilities, and portfolio strategy.

Enable Commercial Success

Partner with sales and commercial teams to translate insights into actionable opportunities and customer engagements. Support targeted prospecting, solution selling, and expansion of strategic customer relationships.

Act as Category Thought Leader

Represent Glanbia externally through industry engagements, customer interactions, and trade forums. Position the organization as a leader in Active Lifestyle and Emerging segments.

Drive Cross-Functional Alignment and Execution

Lead alignment across R&D, marketing, insights, procurement, and commercial teams to deliver on strategic priorities. Ensure execution discipline across innovation, commercialization, and customer programs.

Collaborate Across Regions and Leadership Roles

Partner closely with the Global Category Strategy Director (Early Life Nutrition & Clinical Nutrition – EMEA & ASPAC) and Category Strategy Manager (ASPAC) to ensure global consistency and regional relevance. Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice transfer across geographies.

Evaluate and Expand Emerging Opportunities

Identify and assess new market opportunities (technologies, partnerships, adjacencies) within Emerging Categories. Recommend strategic investments and expansion pathways.

Drive Financial Discipline and Business Cases

Develop robust business cases with clear financial returns for category initiatives. Ensure alignment with financial targets and forecasting accuracy.

Enable Organization Through Capability Building

Support development of category tools, training, and insights that strengthen commercial effectiveness and organizational capability.

The Skills You Will Bring to the Team

Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred. 10–15+ years of relevant experience in B2B food, ingredients, or nutrition industries. Strong background in category strategy, portfolio management, strategic marketing, or product management. Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams. Experience working in global or multi-regional business environments preferred. Strong strategic mindset with ability to translate complex insights into actionable plans. Advanced analytical capabilities with solid financial acumen and P&L understanding. Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across functions. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills (written and verbal). Ability to operate effectively in highly matrixed, global organizations. Demonstrated leadership in driving innovation pipelines and commercial growth. Proficient with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Strong financial and analytical skills. Strong collaboration skills with the ability to lead through influence and manage across boundaries. Results-oriented with a focus on execution, impact, and continuous improvement.

If you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please apply!

The opportunity will be based in Chicago, IL with hybrid working arrangements available, providing flexibility and supporting work-life balance.

What We Would Like to Offer You! The opportunity to develop your career on a global stage, continuous learning through an on-demand learning platform, and a competitive compensation package including staff discounts, generous family leave policy, health & dental plan, competitive salary, and 401K.

About Glanbia Glanbia is a better nutrition company with three divisions: Performance Nutrition, Health & Nutrition and Dairy Nutrition. Collectively and with our partners we offer an incredible breadth of expertise in nutrition. We employ a team of 5,800 people, work with global food and beverage companies, and sell our award-winning and market-leading brands and ingredients in more than 100 countries worldwide. At Glanbia, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a variety of candidates; we will give your application consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. At Glanbia, our culture celebrates individuality, knowing that together we are more.