Regional Director - Russia, Poland, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa

Regional Director – Russia, Poland, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa      

Spirits Industry

Package: Base €125-145k equivalent paid in the marketplace, 25% Bonus potential, LTIP, car allowance and other benefits

Location: the role is based in any country in the Eastern European region, or a major European hub (not UK)

My client is one of the world’s leading Spirits companies with a truly global footprint. They own world class brands and they are leaders in their categories. The business is fast moving and entrepreneurial, it is profitable and well structured, it continues to invest in brands and people and it is well placed for growth. The role heads up all sales, marketing and business development for my client in the Region and it contributes to long term strategy, route to market development and all people issues for the above territories. 

The role reports to the Managing Director for the International business and successful candidates will be based in one of the above territories on a local basis. You will have a proven background of success with a sales and marketing mind-set and you will know how to build growth through longer term distributor partnerships, portfolio development, and consumer and trade marketing on the ground country by country across Russia, C+EE, ME and Africa. The role is essentially to interpret my clients' global strategy within the region, prioritizing the investment strategy and focusing on in-market activation through the company’s 3rd party distributor network to support long term brand building.  

There are 3 Area Managers reporting in to this role and we are therefore looking for someone who believes in development and coaching and who knows how to maximise the talent around them, as well as working well with central Finance, HR and Marketing support.

The role needs someone who is clearly international, deeply commercial by nature and who knows how to make money in these markets, particularly through the distribution channels in Russia and Poland. It then needs someone who knows how to drive activation and execution of strategy and brand plans through a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and trends on the ground in the markets. Given the challenges and volatility of these markets an ability to identify strong route to market partners, and show demonstrable experience of this is essential.

You are likely to have built the above core experience within the alcoholic beverages industry. We are particular interested to hear from people within the Spirits sector and you must have hands on experience of managing the sales and P+L numbers in Russia and Poland.

Future prospects are good in terms of working within a meritocracy where delivery, collaboration and contribution to the wider business are seen as important characteristics and so for the right person this is a great environment to work in.  

Location

The successful applicant will be based from their home address in one of the countries across the Eastern European region, or in another European city outside of the UK, and it is envisaged that a significant proportion of their time will be spent travelling. It will be taken for granted that the applicant will understand the key to this role is building relationships, therefore, availability and willingness to work flexible hours will be essential.