COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.​

Job Description

The Market & Category Lead owns market management for Switzerland and Austria across all brands and channels, while leading category management across the entire European Distributor Markets (EUDM) cluster. The role works through distributors to deliver profitable growth, strong execution and customer impact.

The role oversees three Category Managers who own country-specific category plans; this role sets the cluster strategy and standards, aligns the plans and leads the team.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Switzerland & Austria Market Leadership

• Own annual net sales, gross margin and sustainable growth for Switzerland and Austria.

• Lead distributor Joint Business Plans, targets, performance management, negotiations and contractual obligations.

• Optimize the route-to-market model and activation across all brands and channels, including retail, convenience and eCommerce.

• Build distributor and customer capability through strong collaboration, category stories and Perfect Store execution.

• Drive consistent deployment of core sales fundamentals, including clear channel and customer strategies, disciplined target setting, assortment and distribution, pricing and promotional execution, availability, and regular performance reviews. Translate these fundamentals into measurable key deliverables, routines and action plans with distributors and customers.

2. EUDM Category Leadership

• Set the EUDM category vision, strategy, standards and ways of working across the cluster.

• Translate consumer, shopper, customer and market insights into growth plans across pricing, promotions, assortment, distribution and revenue management.

• Shape category, trade marketing, portfolio and innovation priorities with Sales, Marketing, Finance and other cross-functional teams.

• Provide cluster-level guidance and challenge while keeping country-specific ownership with the Category Managers.

3. Team Leadership & Performance

• Lead and develop three Category Managers through clear objectives, coaching, prioritization and performance management.

• Ensure country category plans connect to the EUDM growth agenda.

• Track market, category and execution KPIs, identify opportunities and risks, and turn analysis into clear actions.

• Communicate plans, recommendations and results to the Commercial Director, EUDM leadership, distributors and cross-functional stakeholders.

 

Qualifications

• University Degree in Business or a related field.
• Typically 8–10 years of relevant commercial experience in a leading FMCG organization, combining category management, sales and/or market leadership.
• Strong experience with distributors, indirect go-to-market models and P&L-related performance management.
• Demonstrated experience leading people and working in multifunctional, multicultural and matrix environments.
• Strong understanding of category management, shopper and consumer insights, trade dynamics, pricing, promotions, assortment and distribution.
• Strong analytical, influencing, negotiation, presentation and English communication skills.
• Hands-on, proactive and collaborative, with a clear focus on results, customers, distributors and execution.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet minimum age qualifications in the country in which the job is located.