Commercial Director - Food Manufacturing

Lead a global brand journey and shape the company's future growth. Step into a pivotal role and elevate the company's branded portfolio. About Our Client Fast growing food company part of a multinational Group. Job Description This position carries full ownership of the branded P&L, market and channel prioritisation, pricing architecture, distribution expansion, and activation strategy across European and international markets. Main focus: Branded revenue, profit, and market share growth Brand equity and awareness Innovation success rate and speed to market Distribution gains and customer retention ROI on marketing and trade investments Forecast accuracy and working‑capital efficiency Main responsibilities: Define and execute the growth strategy for European and international markets. Set market, channel, and customer priorities to drive profitable expansion. Represent the consumer and market perspective within senior leadership. Lead brand plans, commercial forecasts, pricing strategy, and trade investment allocation. Oversee competitive analysis, category reviews, consumer insight programs, and performance dashboards. Lead brand positioning, messaging, visual identity, and portfolio architecture. Oversee integrated marketing campaigns, digital initiatives, PR, and trade communication. Ensure packaging, POS materials, and digital touchpoints remain aligned with brand identity. Strengthen brand value through trade marketing, promotions, and ROI‑driven activation plans. Manage the innovation pipeline for branded and private‑label products. Identify category trends, whitespace opportunities, and new growth areas. Direct concept creation, consumer validation, packaging development, and line extensions. Ensure innovation projects meet margin, operational, and sustainability requirements. Deliver annual revenue, volume, margin, and market share goals. Lead distributor negotiations, retail listings, and expansion in high‑potential markets. Oversee pricing, margin management, product mix optimisation, and stock management. Improve forecast accuracy and customer service levels. Lead Brand, Innovation, Communication, and Branded Sales teams. Hire, mentor, and develop talent, driving accountability and high performance. Work closely with Supply Chain, Finance, and Production to ensure accurate demand planning and profitable execution. Represent the company at trade fairs, industry events, and customer meetings. The Successful Applicant Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, International Business or related field; MBA preferred. 15+ years of progressive marketing and commercial leadership experience in FMCG, ideally food or beverage. Proven track record building consumer brands across multiple European markets. Experience managing branded P&Ls and leading multifunctional teams. Strong background in innovation, category strategy, retail and distributor management. Experience in mid‑sized, founder‑led, or private‑equity‑backed environments is a strong plus. Expertise in brand strategy, trade marketing, channel strategy, and commercial planning. Strong financial acumen: P&L management, pricing, mix optimization. Proficiency with CRM systems, market analysis tools, and performance dashboards. Strategic thinker with strong consumer insight orientation. Entrepreneurial, hands‑on, and commercially driven mindset. Ability to operate in fast‑paced, complex, multi‑market environments. Fluency in Italian and English required; additional languages are an advantage.