About our clientA leading global pet food manufacturer is seeking a highly experienced, results-driven Country Manager to lead operations across the Scandinavian region, covering Sweden.This senior leadership role carries full P&L accountability and is responsible for driving sales growth, expanding market share, and strengthening brand presence in one of the company’s most strategically important regions.The ideal candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on commercial expertise, building strong partnerships with retailers and distributors while fostering close, collaborative relationships with European headquarters and cross-functional teams.Purpose of the RoleThis role exists to strengthen regional alignment, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate sustainable growth across the Scandinavian markets.Key focus areas include:Regional performance leadership with full P&L responsibilityAcceleration of sales performance and market share growthStrengthening brand visibility, positioning, and reputationDriving operational excellence through standardised processesStreamlining reporting to support faster, clearer decision-makingEnsuring consistency in strategy, operations, and performance across all marketsLeading and supporting Key Account Managers In the initial phase, the Country Manager will take a highly hands-on, operational role, helping to shape and build the regional structure. Over time, the focus will shift increasingly toward strategic regional development.The role also includes building and maintaining long-term relationships with key customers, distributors, and business partners, while ensuring alignment with overall European business objectives.Key ResponsibilitiesCommercial LeadershipDevelop and execute the regional sales strategy in line with European objectivesDeliver annual revenue, profitability, and market share targetsLead high-level negotiations with retail chains, distributors, and strategic partnersProvide accurate forecasting and manage budget performanceContribute to European leadership forums with regional market insightsBrand & Marketing ManagementPlan and execute impactful brand and promotional campaigns (digital and in-store)Ensure strict adherence to brand guidelines and intellectual property standardsUse consumer and market insights to guide positioning and marketing investmentCollaborate closely with Supply Chain and Logistics on successful product launchesMarket Development & ExpansionIdentify and secure new business opportunities within the pet food sectorLead new product launches with strong retail and promotional supportRepresent the company at industry trade shows, exhibitions, and professional eventsOperational Excellence & HQ AlignmentMaintain transparent, proactive communication with headquartersTrack competitor activity and provide structured market intelligenceDrive cross-functional collaboration to improve efficiency and customer satisfactionBuild a collaborative, high-performance culture between regional teams and HQRequirementsEssential Qualifications & Skills7–10 years of sales leadership experience, ideally within pet food or FMCGStrong experience managing major retail and distribution accountsDemonstrated ability to work effectively with international and cross-functional teamsExcellent negotiation, relationship management, and business development skillsStrong analytical capability and data-driven decision-making approachHighly self-motivated, commercially focused, and results-drivenFluent in English (written and spoken)Advanced proficiency in MS OfficeBachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related disciplineWillingness to travel regularly throughout Scandinavia and EuropeValid international driving licenceKey Leadership CompetenciesStrategic thinking and commercial acumenStrong results orientation and accountabilityCustomer-centric mindsetExcellent planning and prioritisation skillsInfluential communication and stakeholder managementCollaborative leadership styleBenefitsRole DetailsEmployment Type: Full-timeReports To: Managing Director, European Business
About our client
A leading global pet food manufacturer is seeking a highly experienced, results-driven Country Manager to lead operations across the Scandinavian region, covering Sweden.
This senior leadership role carries full P&L accountability and is responsible for driving sales growth, expanding market share, and strengthening brand presence in one of the company’s most strategically important regions.
The ideal candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on commercial expertise, building strong partnerships with retailers and distributors while fostering close, collaborative relationships with European headquarters and cross-functional teams.
Purpose of the Role
This role exists to strengthen regional alignment, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate sustainable growth across the Scandinavian markets.
Key focus areas include:
- Regional performance leadership with full P&L responsibility
- Acceleration of sales performance and market share growth
- Strengthening brand visibility, positioning, and reputation
- Driving operational excellence through standardised processes
- Streamlining reporting to support faster, clearer decision-making
- Ensuring consistency in strategy, operations, and performance across all markets
- Leading and supporting Key Account Managers
In the initial phase, the Country Manager will take a highly hands-on, operational role, helping to shape and build the regional structure. Over time, the focus will shift increasingly toward strategic regional development.
The role also includes building and maintaining long-term relationships with key customers, distributors, and business partners, while ensuring alignment with overall European business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Leadership
- Develop and execute the regional sales strategy in line with European objectives
- Deliver annual revenue, profitability, and market share targets
- Lead high-level negotiations with retail chains, distributors, and strategic partners
- Provide accurate forecasting and manage budget performance
- Contribute to European leadership forums with regional market insights
Brand & Marketing Management
- Plan and execute impactful brand and promotional campaigns (digital and in-store)
- Ensure strict adherence to brand guidelines and intellectual property standards
- Use consumer and market insights to guide positioning and marketing investment
- Collaborate closely with Supply Chain and Logistics on successful product launches
Market Development & Expansion
- Identify and secure new business opportunities within the pet food sector
- Lead new product launches with strong retail and promotional support
- Represent the company at industry trade shows, exhibitions, and professional events
Operational Excellence & HQ Alignment
- Maintain transparent, proactive communication with headquarters
- Track competitor activity and provide structured market intelligence
- Drive cross-functional collaboration to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction
- Build a collaborative, high-performance culture between regional teams and HQ
Requirements
Essential Qualifications & Skills
- 7–10 years of sales leadership experience, ideally within pet food or FMCG
- Strong experience managing major retail and distribution accounts
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with international and cross-functional teams
- Excellent negotiation, relationship management, and business development skills
- Strong analytical capability and data-driven decision-making approach
- Highly self-motivated, commercially focused, and results-driven
- Fluent in English (written and spoken)
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related discipline
- Willingness to travel regularly throughout Scandinavia and Europe
- Valid international driving licence
Key Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Strong results orientation and accountability
- Customer-centric mindset
- Excellent planning and prioritisation skills
- Influential communication and stakeholder management
- Collaborative leadership style
Benefits
Role Details
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Reports To: Managing Director, European Business
Avomind is a go to firm to hire commercial, strategy and analytics & insights talent globally.Our global network - serviced from Berlin, London, Barcelona, Miami, Jakarta and Singapore is built up of partnerships with >200 leading academic institutions; 25 leading MBA programs and 45 tech institutions.We provide our clients with unlimited access to our network and offer custom recruitment; embedded hiring and talent branding services.Speed is our care value - do expect a first project input within 24 hours. 75% of the hired candidates are part of the 1st week’s batch, that we would deliver on a project.
Avomind is a go to firm to hire commercial, strategy and analytics & insights talent globally.
Our global network - serviced from Berlin, London, Barcelona, Miami, Jakarta and Singapore is built up of partnerships with >200 leading academic institutions; 25 leading MBA programs and 45 tech institutions.
We provide our clients with unlimited access to our network and offer custom recruitment; embedded hiring and talent branding services.
Speed is our care value - do expect a first project input within 24 hours. 75% of the hired candidates are part of the 1st week’s batch, that we would deliver on a project.
