Pet Nutrition Head of Sales Finland

Job Description

Job Description:

Job Overview

This is a pivotal role within Mars Pet Nutrition Nordics which leads, develops and executes market and customer strategy for Finland. This role is expected to hold a senior level of people leadership and strategic thinking. It assumes establishing a partnership with key customers as well as influencing and driving the overall customer agenda of Mars Pet Nutrition Nordics and Mars Pet Nutrition North Europe.

This role is crucial to lead the Nordics from the strategy and people perspective – shaping both areas in the context of being a part of the bigger North Europe cluster of markets (with UK and Ireland).

Leading a team of highly capable associates, this role will ensure the team develop world class customer relationships, execute strongly and influence successfully internally to drive profitable growth for Mars and the customers.

The role assumes a partnership with co-pilot functions around areas such as finance, category leadership, revenue management etc. As a critical member of the Nordics Leadership Team, this role will support the General Manager and Pet Leadership Team in setting the strategic direction for the function and business.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading the strategy set-up and implementation (end to end P&L) for the market (Finland)

• Sitting on the Nordics Leadership Team with responsibility to shape the strategy for the sub-cluster

• Developing and executing customer strategies to deliver on the strategic and commercial ambition together with the Team and being an ambassador for the customers within Mars

• Build a network of strategic customer relationships in key accounts (i.e. buying, supply chain, category, marketing)

• Set and manage team to deliver input and output metrics across: net sales, gross margin and gross profit, forecast accuracy, trade spend, distribution, overheads. Maximise return on investment within the market

• Leading the Sales Team and informally leading co-pilots dedicated to Finland (dotted line)

• Leadership, line management and engagement of the team to effectively deliver the strategy, utilizing key business enablers

• Build the necessary capability and succession planning within the team, ensuring a development culture through the development plan process

What we are looking for:

• Degree educated or equivalent.

• Highly numerate and analytical, with strong communication and influencing skills.

• Broad, diverse and significant customer experience (ideally market lead experience) with ability to impact and influence customer of all sizes, at all levels of management

• Significant grocery customer facing experience, at all levels including priority customers with a track record of results, impact and influence

• Experience of working in a multi-functional business unit environment. Knowledge of broad business management and commercial management skills (business forecasting, financial analysis, P&L management, supply side knowledge).

• Track record in developing tailored customer (and ideally market) plans and strategies, sales and category solutions that deliver profitable growth customer plans

• Significant people management experience is required along with a demonstrated ability to set and communicate a clear vision, coach for performance and development and engage teams

• Experience in trade revenue optimisation to include building, implementing, and evaluating a customer (and ideally market) investment plan with a consistent track record of ROI and sales growth

What can you expect from Mars?

• A modern and pet friendly office environment.

• Comprehensive safety and well-being benefits, including life insurance, health insurance, fitness allowance and Employee Assistance Program.

• Support in career building through personalized development plan.

• Be part of a collaborative, international team working across the Nordics

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.