Andreé Verbeek van Sittert

Category Director - Sub-Saharan Africa | Strategy, Innovation, Growth

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

About

With over 5 years of immersive experience, my journey as the Creative Fragrance Team Director at Givaudan has been marked by a relentless drive for innovation and growth within Sub-Saharan Africa. I lead with a visionary approach, leveraging my expertise in leadership and team management to align our regional strategies with Givaudan's global mission. My commitment to fostering a culture of creativity and consumer insight allows us to deliver fragrances that resonate deeply with local communities, embracing our diverse backgrounds to craft truly meaningful scents. In my current role since November 2020, I've had the privilege of steering a talented team, where we've honed our craft in fragrance creation, underpinned by robust marketing strategies and consumer insights. My focus on collaboration with commercial teams has been pivotal, ensuring that our innovation programs are not only culturally relevant but also drive substantial growth in the Sub-Saharan fragrance market. It's through this synergy of leadership and strategic marketing that we continuously achieve excellence in fragrance experiences.

Experience

  • Givaudan (13 yrs 8 mos)
    • Category Director - Fabric & Home Care
      Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Creative Fragrance Team Director - Sub-Saharan Africa
      Nov 2020 - Apr 2025 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      Responsible for managing and mentoring a team of technical experts, evaluation professionals, and marketing-and-consumer insights enthusiasts within the Sub-Saharan African region. I have made significant contributions in collaborating with commercial to define a development sub-regional strategy, aligning it with the global vision, and implementing local innovation programs to drive growth. Recognizing the profound impact of fragrances and smells on consumer emotions and well-being, I have focused on understanding culture, context, and surroundings to create resonating experiences. By driving successful fragrance creation strategies, I have effectively met the needs of our Sub-Saharan African clients, both local and international, contributing to the success of all stakeholders involved. Additionally, I strive to develop industry talent within the sub-region. Furthermore, I have had the privilege of leading the SAMEA Marketing team and representing the SSA region in global networks of expert, technical, and digital communities, fostering a collaborative approach to knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary collaboration.

    • Senior Marketing Manager - Fragrances Sub-Saharan Africa
      Apr 2019 - Dec 2020 · 1 yr 9 mos

  • Fragrance Marketing Coordinator at Mane
    May 2011 - Oct 2012 · 1 yr 6 mos

    To lead, manage and coordinate the Marketing department. Bi-yearly compiling a marketing plan. Point of contact & communicator of all marketing related activities, locally and abroad. Coordinate and Execute SA and West African market and olfactive reviews. Areas of specialty; Ethnic Hair Care, Mass EDT, Deo & Roll-on, Body Care, Soap Bar markets. Create Marketing Concepts & Trends Presentations. Presented to clients and trade. Conduct Consumer Research. Both externally with consumers and internally within business to business environment. Maintenance of marketing tools: Magazines, Euromonitor, Datamonitor, Stylesight, etc. Sourcing of product information & products. Locally and abroad.

  • Business Partner/ Store Manager at Platinum Group - Jenni Button
    Feb 2009 - Dec 2009 · 11 mos

    Business Management •Manage the store in line with company regulations in order to fulfill the potential of the retail outlet in terms of sales volumes, targets, turnover and profitability. •Plan, forecast, report on sales, costs and business performance as is required. •Manage costs and overheads. •Manage, maintain and report on in store stock turnover. Manage and reduce stock loss. •Implement and maintain Visual Merchandising as prescribed by company. People Management: •Manage the store staff members and excellent staff relationships, including recruitment, training, motivation and development of staff. •Compiling work schedules, ensuring that the store is always adequately staffed. •Develop own skills and capability through on-going training. Customer Service: •Establish and maintain a CRM culture of service excellence through ongoing customer experience within the store. •Resolve customer sales and service complaints promptly and amicably. Marketing Management: •Initiate and mange below the line marketing campaigns and events, which were store and customer specific, to boost and maintain increased sales.

  • Marketing Coordinator & Commercial Property Manager at Shakama Game Lodge & Castillion Properties
    Feb 2008 - Dec 2008 · 11 mos

    Shakama Game Lodge – Marketing Coordinator •Sales and Marketing Manager of Shakama Game lodge. •Prepare marketing and financial reports. Report to Managing Director. •Preparation and presentation of quotations / proposals to prospective corporate guests and co-ordination of conference reservations. •Database management and management of all administrative duties related to daily activities and operations. •Liaison with marketing firms, Professional conference organizers, agents and tour operators. •Attending to Public Relations activities of all relevant advertisement campaigns and editorials. Castillion Properties – Commercial Property Manager •General management, monitoring and maintenance of 3 Commercial Properties. •Maintain and build long-term relationship with both client and supplier with a pro-active approach. •Tracking and monitoring of orders and jobs manage queries, costing, quotations and invoices; negotiate with supplier and client, etc.

  • Club Administrator & at Treoc Investors Club
    Aug 2007 - Feb 2008 · 7 mos

    Responsibilities: •Plan and Organize weekly/monthly TREOC functions, events and seminars efficiently, coordinating with caterers and other parties that provide services relating to the events, within company budget. Distribute invites and direct communication with guests. Compile full reconciliation of event. •Welcoming and attending to guests. •Assist in marketing of the Club. •Answer telephone calls in a professional and courteous manner. Relay messages and take action on customer requests and/or queries timeously. •Manage customer base in a professional manner, update database with information, regular contact and information sharing with customers.