President/ General Manager

Description

President, General Manager DoG USA

Oettinger Davidoff Group, with sales of over half a billion Swiss francs and over 4,000 employees around the world, traces its roots back to 1875 and remains family-owned to this day. The company is dedicated to the business of producing, marketing, distributing, and retailing premium-branded cigars, tobacco products and accessories. The premium-branded cigar business includes Davidoff, AVO, Camacho, Cusano, The Griffin’s, Private Stock, Zino and Zino Platinum. Oettinger Davidoff Group is also the sole agent of many brands in several countries. Its business is anchored in a strong “crop to shop” philosophy, having pursued vertical integration from the tobacco fields in the Dominican Republic and Honduras to its global network of 65 Davidoff flagship stores/satellites and strong appointed merchants in over 130 countries.

We are seeking an exceptional President & General Manager to lead the next phase of growth for our premium cigar business in the United States. This executive will serve as the senior leader of Davidoff of Geneva USA, with full accountability for commercial performance, organizational effectiveness, and execution of the company's strategic priorities. This is a unique opportunity to lead a portfolio of eight renowned premium cigar brands, combining strategic vision, operational excellence, and market leadership to accelerate growth across wholesale and retail channels.

Reporting to senior international leadership, the President and General Manager will have full responsibility for the U.S. business P&L while ensuring the successful local execution of global strategies across Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Technology. The President & General Manager leads the U.S. organization of approximately 90 employees and directly manages a leadership team of six senior functional leaders across Sales, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and other key business functions.

The successful candidate will be a highly entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record of delivering sustainable growth, building high-performing teams, and strengthening customer and stakeholder relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Business Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the profit and loss performance of the U.S. wholesale and retail business.
• Develop and execute long-term business strategies that drive sustainable revenue growth, profitability, and market share gains.
• Translate global corporate strategies into effective local market plans and execution.
• Establish annual business plans, resource requirements, and performance metrics while monitoring progress against objectives.

Commercial Excellence

• Drive consumer demand and commercial success through innovative go-to-market strategies      and channel development initiatives.
• Expand brand penetration across key distribution channels, including specialty retail, key accounts, e-commerce, liquor chains, and experiential events.
• Strengthen the company's position within specialized retail channels while identifying new growth opportunities.
• Lead and develop a best-in-class sales organization equipped to outperform competitors and deliver ambitious targets.

Marketing & Brand Development

• Enhance the presence and equity of a portfolio of premium brands through consumer-focused and trade-focused initiatives.
• Partner with global and local marketing teams to create compelling commercial programs that generate consumer pull and retailer engagement.
• Ensure brand standards and positioning remain consistent with the company's premium heritage and long-term vision.

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and performance analysis.
• Monitor sales and profitability against established KPIs and implement corrective actions where needed.
• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure accurate forecasting, inventory management, and product availability.
• Drive operational excellence while optimizing profitability and working capital performance.

Stakeholder & Industry Engagement

• Build strong, trusted relationships with distributors, retailers, key accounts, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Represent the organization in trade associations, industry forums, and stakeholder groups.
• Monitor regulatory developments and proactively manage their impact on the business.
• Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration, and high performance.

Team Development & Culture

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team through coaching, mentorship, and clear performance expectations.
• Create an environment that empowers decision-making, innovation, and accountability.
• Champion company values and strengthen organizational culture throughout the business.

Requirements

Education & Experience

· BA/MS degree required, MBA preferred

· Experience: At least 15 years in sales, marketing, general management and business development with a good understanding of brand building. Experience in a regulated industry is ideal.

Qualifications and Skills

· Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business and category fundamentals across sales, finance, marketing, HR, Operations and ICT.

· Entrepreneurial Spirit: Energy, passion and intellect to lead successfully in a competitive market.

· Leadership: Roll up your sleeves attitude and proven ability to provide true leadership aligned with corporate values (innovation, passion, integrity) and Aspire 727 strategy:

o Act as a global ODAG Team. Will to tightly cooperate within the entire organization.

o Transparent, honest and open communication across the company.

o Awareness that, Mindset is as important as skillset.

o Being accountable and responsible for all you do.

o Delivering against the promises as a team. Walk the talk.

o Demonstrates authenticity, integrity, and credibility in all business relationships

· Strategic Thinking: Capable of thinking strategically and understanding tactical and operational impacts. Ability to interpret marketing signals into meaningful business decisions. 

· Relationship building: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain key stakeholder relationships. Proven capability in successful intercultural collaboration.

· Project Management: Hands on attitude and ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks and ensure on time in full completion within budget. 

· Languages: Proficiency in English

· Industry experience: Experience in FMCG, tobacco, luxury or wine & spirits industry is preferred. 

· Geographical experience: General management experience in the USA or as an international regional Director.

· Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Key Success Factors

• Deliver long-term revenue growth, profitability, and market share expansion across the U.S. business.
• Strengthen organizational capability by developing a high-performing leadership team and culture focused on accountability, performance, and integrity.
• Establish a trusted and collaborative partnership with global leadership.