Ralf Ritter

Scent and flavor expert Ralf Ritter began a career as a marketing and product development executive in 1988, primarily based in Asia. Ralf Ritter conducts qualitative and sensory-based market research that focuses on consumer motivation. He also offers his services in helping corporations optimize their branding.

Ralf Ritter first worked as a project manager at the Geneva location of Firmenich, a producer of perfumes and flavors. After two years, Ritter moved to Bangkok, where he served as General Manager for Symrise, a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients, and more.

In 1992, Ralf Ritter joined International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF), where he served in various capacities for 13 years. He first worked for IFF as a General Manager of the Bangkok location. In 1997, Ritter moved to New York, where he provided his expertise as the IFF Global Account Manager for Colgate-Palmolive Company. He returned to Asia in 1999 to work as the Regional Account Manager for Unilever’s Asia Pacific market. Ralf Ritter became IFF’s Creative Center Manager for the Greater China region in 2001.

Ralf Ritter left IFF in 2005 to work with Paragon Sino-Swiss Consulting Co. Ltd., Takasago International Corporation, and O'Laughlin Industries, Inc. Based in Hong Kong, O'Laughlin Industries produces chemicals and ingredients for cosmetics, fragrances, flavors, food, beverages, and much more. As a consultant for O'Laughlin Industries, Ralf Ritter managed marketing and related issues for a feasibility study on flavors and polyols. Sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and xylitol, are a class of polyols added to chewing gum because they do not contribute to tooth decay.

Now a Senior Partner with Axian Partners, a market research consulting firm based in Paris, Ralf Ritter helps guide the company in providing clients with cross-cultural expertise in brand imaging, among other subjects. Ritter joined Axian in 2011.