Global Category Manager - Spices & Herbs
You will be the Global Category Manager for Spices & Herbs. We have done the groundwork — visited suppliers, mapped the value chain, confirmed the opportunity. It is real, it is large, and it is ready to move. Now we need someone who won't just manage it — someone who will hunt it down, own it, and make it grow faster than anyone expects. That someone is a deal‑maker first, a strategist second, and a team builder always.
Your mission: build the Spices & Herbs category from traction to scale — with an immediately active pipeline, closed deals in the first 90 days, and a team that performs because you led it right.
Day‑to‑day, you will:
Own the full category P&L; — sourcing, sales, product management, and team — from day one.
Activate your network immediately. Your contacts are a strategic asset. We expect a live CRM pipeline within your first month.
Measured by: pipeline volume and quality at 30 days.
Hunt, negotiate, and close — directly with clients, with full autonomy on deals. You are the tip of the spear in the first 90 days.
Measured by: number of deals where you held direct client relationships in months 1‑3.
Apply your industry knowledge & value chain expertise to source the right side‑streams and sell the right ingredients to the right clients, at the right price.
Build and develop your team. Share your playbook, or write one if it doesn't exist yet. Elevate the people around you — sourcing, product, sales.
Measured by: 360 trust assessment from your team at 6 months.
Define the category strategy and contribute directly to Hubcycle's global roadmap. Later, we'll expect you to tell us what's achievable — not just execute targets.
Keep all stakeholders sharp on market dynamics: shortages, trends, pricing signals, and competitive moves in Spices & Herbs.
This role comes with an uncapped bonus and management package incentive.
The team around you
We expect you to build your team. From day one, you can count on existing Product Managers, Sourcing and Sales profiles who have already explored this category to support your ramp‑up.
You will be guided into our specific model by our C‑level team, including the CEO.
Your reporting line goes directly to the CFOO, with the CEO closely involved in category strategy and always available when you need firepower.
You will also work in close collaboration with the Head of Sourcing navigate the specificities of sourcing and selling ingredients derived from by‑products and side‑streams.
Who You Are
You are hungry — not comfortable. You thrive when there's ground to be won.
Flexible and agile , you know what it takes to operate in a fast‑moving startup.
Autonomous and accountable — no BS, just solutions.
Team player AND lone wolf: you lead your category but lift the people around you.
Resilient under pressure, sharp in front of clients, and always solution‑first.
Must‑Haves
5 to 7 years of B2B sales experience in the spices, herbs, or broader food ingredients industry — with a verifiable, immediately activable international network of decision‑makers.
A proven track record as a deal‑maker : you hunt, negotiate, and close. Results peak louder than titles.
Experience managing teams , even small ones. You know how to bring people with you.
Intellectual agility: you understand complex value chains and know how to work on and around by‑products. If a playbook doesn't exist, you write it.
Ability to anticipate quality and specification constraints on both the supply and demand side.
Great communication skills : direct, clear, solution‑oriented. You raise problems and bring answers.
Fluent in English . Any additional language is a genuine advantage.
Nice‑to‑Haves
A "circular economy " or upcycling mindset — you see value where others see waste.
Hands‑on experience with by‑products or side‑streams in food.
Existing relationships with procurement, R&D, or ingredient buyers across Europe, Americas, or APAC.
You embody our core values
Discernment
Boldness
Dedication to performance
Communication
Collaboration
Pragmatism
Integrity
Salary and conditions
Contract: Permanent full‑time
Based in Avignon.
Home office: 2 days a week maximum.
Salary: You can see we are looking for experts. We know that comes with a price, and we will value that. The package will be fine tuned based on your experience. Uncapped bonus, and management package included. The more you gain, the happier we are.
Start ASAP