About the Role
Strategic Planning Director Europe Greater Amsterdam Area, Netherlands. Our client is a fast-growing international company operating in the food & drink sector. This is a long-established company operating globally but with huge plans for the European region and with core teams already based in the Amsterdam area. This executive level position is newly created and will be a vital part of the European Leadership Team. The role requires a highly analytical and commercially minded leader with extensive experience in strategy development, market analysis, new business creation, and cross-border stakeholder management. The ideal candidate will translate market insights into actionable business strategies and identify new opportunities that drive sustainable growth throughout Europe. Role Overview As the Head of Strategy Planning , you will play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term growth and competitive position across Europe. You will be responsible for leading strategic planning, market intelligence, business development initiatives, and corporate growth projects that support both the European Regional Headquarters and the Global Headquarters. Key Responsibilities in the following areas: 1. Lead European Market Intelligence 2. Develop Mid- and Long-Term Business Strategy 3. Drive Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy 4. Identify New Growth Opportunities & Lead Open Innovation 5. Executive Stakeholder Management 6. Team Leadership & Organizational Development Experience and qualifications needed: Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, market intelligence, business development or management consulting. Proven expertise as a strategic planner with a strong track record of leading new business ventures from ideation to successful execution. Demonstrated success in developing and implementing business strategies within international organisations. Extensive experience working within the European business environment. Proven experience managing multinational and multicultural teams and stakeholders. Experience supporting executive leadership and C-level decision making. Knowledge & Expertise Strong understanding of European FMCG markets (ideally in food or drink) consumer behaviour and competitive landscapes. Extensive experience in data-driven strategic planning and business analysis. Deep understanding of Go-to-Market strategy development and execution. Experience identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, M&A, Joint Ventures and strategic partnerships. Knowledge of Open Innovation ecosystems, venture partnerships and emerging technologies. Exceptional financial acumen with hands-on experience in financial due diligence, comprehensive business valuation, and precisely assessing the P&L impact of strategic decisions. Educational background Master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Strategy or a related field. ( MBA is highly preferred.) Language Requirements Fluent in Business English (written and spoken) is essential. Additional European languages are considered an advantage. Preferred Qualifications Experience working for a multinational FMCG organisation or a leading European corporation. Previous experience with a top-tier strategy consulting firm (e.g. McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group or Bain & Company). Demonstrated success in leading European market expansion projects and Go-to-Market strategy development. Proven experience conducting international market research and identifying strategic growth opportunities. What is on Offer A unique opportunity to shape the long-term growth strategy of one of the world's fastest-growing international food companies. A highly visible executive role with direct exposure to European and Global leadership. An international working environment with significant strategic impact across multiple European markets. Opportunities to lead high-profile business development, innovation and corporate growth initiatives. Competitive executive compensation package including attractive benefits. A base salary in the region of 180K to 220K depending on the level of experience and qualifications. And finally.... This is a rare opportunity for a commercially minded marketing and innovation leader who is passionate about building new categories, developing breakthrough products, and shaping the future of this food company in Europe. If you thrive in fast-growing international environments and are excited by the challenge of turning consumer insights into successful businesses, we would love to hear from you. Important. This role is a full-time position with 5 days on site . This is a non-negotiable for our client. We can only consider candidates who are already based in the Netherlands and with full rights to work in the EU.