Senior Key Account Manager
Our client is the biggest producer of private label pet food in Europe and one of the most innovative players in their category. They serve more than 470 major European retailers, supermarket chains, specialist pet shops and veterinarians in the markets in which they operates. They offer a full range of high quality dog and cat food products including dry food, canned food, pouches, semi moist, snacks and cat milk.
What's in it for you?
- Impact & Ownership: You’ll manage a multimillion-euro portfolio with major retailers in Belgium, the UK, and Ireland. You’ll have the freedom to build, expand, and truly make a difference.
- Fast-growing company: EBITA multiplied by 8 since 2021. If that’s not rapid growth... You won’t be stuck in rigid structures — you’ll be at the heart of the growth story and have a real say in how things evolve.
- 360° Commercial Role: You’ll collaborate with all departments — category managers, marketing, supply chain, buying... This is not just about price negotiations; it’s about building strategic partnerships both internally and externally.
- International & Entrepreneurial: A flexible work environment (Belgium/Netherlands), a strong team, lots of autonomy, and room for growth within a European context.
Poste
You will have the complete P&L responsibility of multiple retailers/pet specialists within Belgium. Your main focus will be to grow the existing partnerships by expanding your own label share (via current and/or new product categories) and/or building the brands. Internally, a team of several departments is in place to achieve the common goals: category management, product management, supply, customer service, finance,.. In this role, you'll be reporting to the Country Manager Belgium/UK/Ireland.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop strategic, long-term relationships with your retail/pet specialty customers;
- Take full ownership of the strategic plan for your accounts, 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 the company's commercial interests and value-based trading terms effectivly;
- Work closely together with several internal teams (Catman, Production, Product Developers) to achieve our partner's and the company's mutual ambitions
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.
Profil
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- You are an ambitious, customer-centric goal getter, who has:
A master's degree in business economics or similar
More than 4y 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
Knowledge of the Belgian (petfood) market is a strong plus
RELEVANT COMPETENCIES
- Resilient and result driven, focusing on long term sustainable growth
- Fluent in Dutch / French / English
- Create and implement a 360° negotiation approach
- 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 them.
- Creative problem solver with a can-do mentality
- Doesn't take a no for an answer
- 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
Ability to understand multiple datasets e.g. Nielsen/Catman data
Affinity with Pets/Petfood - nutritional/production knowledge is not must have as long as there is a high willingness/openness to learn