ORGANISATION
At Partner in Pet Food (PPF), they’re not just a pet food company — they’re a leader in the European pet food industry. PPF is owned by CVC Capital one of the largest Private Equity firms worldwide. As one of the top 3 pet food manufacturers in Europe, they provide over 600 customers across 40 markets with high-quality products. From dry kibble to wet food and tasty snacks, we’ve been recognized as an industry innovator, shaping the future of pet nutrition.
Recently, they were recognized as a Bestseller in the Pet Food Industry, marking another milestone in our growing success. They’re proud of their innovative approach, introducing sustainably sourced ingredients, grain-free options, and natural pet food lines that set the standard for the industry. Their brands like Bozita, Shelma, and Reno continue to thrive, and they’re just getting started.
What makes them different? They focus on delivering products that enhance the lives of pets and pet owners while also caring for the planet. Sustainability is at their core, and they’re consistently developing products that align with the latest trends in human food, including more natural, fresh ingredients.
Do you love pets? And are you ready to take the next exciting step in your sales career? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment where you can make a real impact? If you’re driven by a passion for pets, sales, and innovation, this is the perfect opportunity for you. We are looking for a:
SALES MANAGER
POSITION
You will have the complete P&L responsibility for the Jumbo, Albert Heijn, Superunie, Kruidvat and pet specialists clients within the Netherlands. Your main focus will be to grow our existing partnerships by expanding our own label share (via current and/or new product categories) and/or building our brands (e.g. Shelma). Internally a team of several departments is in place to achieve our common goals: category management, product management, supply, customer service, finance. You have one direct report. In this dynamic role, you’ll be reporting to the General Manager Western Europe (Eric Arnoldussen). You’ll be the key contact for our partners, ensuring we continue to strengthen relationships, drive growth and build new partnerships.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop robust, strategic relationships with your retail/pet specialty customers;
- Find new customers and develop strategic long-term partnerships;
- Take full ownership of the strategic plan for your account, driving sales and managing the profit and loss elements, aligning with the broader company goals;
- Lead forecast planning in unison with finance and supply teams to provide stellar customer service and financial consistency;
- Lead customer negotiations, representing PPF’s commercial interests and value-based trading terms effectively.
This role is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of a highly successful and innovative company and to build your career in a fast-growing industry.
PROFILE CANDIDATE
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
You are an ambitious, result-driven and customer-centric business development manager. You are obsessed with your customer and drive their needs to grow together. You have:
- A Master’s degree (preferably in Business or a related field);
- Relevant commercial working experience in FMCG (KAM/trade marketing/category management);
- A proven track record of being able to achieve your goals (e.g. leaving a legacy), despite multiple setbacks;
- Strong in partnership building and customer first-approach with an expertise in nurturing customer relationships and internal stakeholder management.
RELEVANT COMPETENCES
- High commercial acumen with an outgoing personality and thrive to find new business partners and to build long-term mutually beneficial partnerships;
- Resilient and result driven, focusing on long term sustainable growth;
- Strong sense of ownership: treat our company as if it was your own;
- Entrepreneurial spirit: Continuously identifying new growth opportunities and finding ways on how to unlock, creative problem solver with a can-do mentality’;
- Strategic thinker, being able to make your own 1, 3 and 5y plan, in line with company’s ambition;
- Strong internal stakeholder management, being able to collaborate with/get things done from several departments;
- Analytical; ability to read and understand your P&L in depth and act upon it and abiltity to understand multiple datasets e.g. Nielsen/Catman data;
- Affinity with Pets/Petfood ó nutritional/production knowledge is not must have as long as there is a high willingness/openness to learn;
- Enjoy walking one of our office dogs once in a while😉 as well enjoying a Capuchino from our office Barista on the terrace;
- Willingness to visit our factories in amongst others Italy, Netherlands and Czech.
