Chief Executive Officer (with statutory responsibility)

For our client, we are looking for a visionary and versatile CEO to lead a leading global trade organization with a strong and high-quality brand portfolio, in online and offline retail B2B/ B2C. They operate within a country structure in Europe and in Hong Kong and the United States with sourcing channels in South-East Asia and distribution channels in more than 65 countries. 

You are an inspiring and people-oriented leader who is able to take people and organizations (approximately 220 FTEs) to the next phase. As CEO, you are responsible for the development and implementation of the new long-term vision, mission, strategy and growth ambitions. You will lead the Executive Board and thus the General Directors of the countries (each responsible for P&L) and the Functional Directors (approximately 12 professionals) and lead strategic transformations to make the organization agile and future-proof. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing the new long-term vision, mission, strategy and governance for a strong and decisive group. 
• Using best practices to ensure that the organization is as lean and mean as possible, where an organization may need to change from a country structure to a distribution channel structure.  
• Leading the strategic change processes, transformations and implementations to improve the performance and effectiveness of organization-wide topics such as Sales & Marketing, Digitalization/ICT&ERP, HR, Procurement, Quality, Finance & Reporting, Distribution/Logistics, Sustainability and Social Impact (ESG/CSRD).
• In view of geopolitical developments, investigate the economic feasibility of production in Europe. 
• Exploring new brands and markets through organic or inorganic growth (acquisition opportunities/M&A) and integrating new brands.
• Developing data-driven sales and marketing strategies for online, branding, product development, unambiguous product policy (specializing and/or diversifying), general and transparent pricing policy. 
• Leading digital transformation initiatives with a focus on online retail, distribution/logistics, sales and marketing and data-driven decision-making as well as integration of new brands.

The new CEO will be statutorily responsible for the Holding and will report to the Supervisory Board and work together with the Supervisory Board and the major shareholder.

About the organization

Our client is originally a family business, with the headquarter in the Netherlands and will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in a few years. In the meantime, the organization has grown into a global player, in which the family is still involved and there is also a large shareholder present who is focused on investing, value creation and expanding the brand portfolio. Designing, producing through third parties and supplying high-quality products is the core business. A new company has recently been acquired and the strong high-quality brand portfolio offers many opportunities to further excel.  

It is important to understand the dynamics of a family business in motion. The organization needs to be future-proofed again and achieve sustainable growth to €100 million+ turnover. 

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field, e.g., Business Administration, Economics, Marketing.
• At least 5 years of experience as CEO or P&L in Commerce or Marketing, preferably within an international SME trading environment in both online and offline retail (B2C/B2B) or in the Hospitality/Leisure/Catering sector. 
• Knowledge of product development, sourcing and of the industrial process from development to manufacturing.
• Proven track record in strategic leadership, organizational development and change management.
• Multilingual: English is a must and preferably you also speak French (strong advantage), Dutch and/or German.
• Willingness to travel internationally and work hybrid on a regular basis. 

Our ideal candidate has the following competencies: 

• Visionary, strategic thinker and decisive with execution power.
• Connector of cultures, able to create support and stakeholder management.
• Organizationally sensitive, able to lead and form a team and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, diversity and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, networker, strong in negotiations and deal-making.
• Empathetic, hands-on, enterprising, enthusiastic and opportunistic.
• Problem-solving, with analytical skills and able to prioritize and solve from a helicopter view.
• Strong on content and at the same time focused on maintaining good relationships.

Finally:

In short, we offer a challenging position for an entrepreneurial strategist / change manager and connector with a proven track record in commerce and in leading strategic change processes, transformations and implementations.

A suitable employment conditions package is offered, including emoluments.

Are you that inspiring and people-oriented leader who can create support, inspire people and get the organization moving at an appropriate pace and make it future-proof for the next 100 years? Then we would like to get in touch with you.

Give us a call, we would like to get to know you and explain this great challenge in more detail.

The selection procedure consists of several interviews and an introductory round with MT members. Anyone excited? This is followed by a final interview regarding terms of employment and appointment. An assessment can also be part of the procedure. 

Note: this position is also published in Dutch

Contactgegevens
Bedrijfsnaam: FYGI
Contactpersoon: Miana van der Kolk
Adres: Pelenerf 12
Postcode/plaats: 3861 PR Nijkerk
Telefoon: 0628534287
Email: miana.van.der.kolk@fygi.nl