Head of Marketing (Food/FMCG)

Location :Remote (Germany-based); occasional travel to key accounts, agencies, and internal meetings as needed

Contract Type: Interim (6–12 months) with strong potential to convert to Permanent

Role Purpose

I am seeking an experienced and hands-on Head of Marketing to lead my clients brand and product marketing strategy in Germany.

This is a pivotal role for a candidate with a strong toolkit in food or FMCG marketing, including product and trade marketing, consumer feedback and testing, and proven success driving product push growth and increasing product presence in the German market.

Fluency in German and English is essential.

This role starts as an interim position with a clear pathway to a permanent leadership role for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

Brand & Marketing Strategy

• Develop and execute the overall marketing and brand strategy for Germany, aligned with global brand guidelines and local market needs
• Lead the positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategy for new and existing products in the German market
• Drive product push growth initiatives to increase market share, distribution, and visibility across retail and e-commerce channels

Trade Marketing & Retail Execution

• Lead a team of Trade Marketing managers and specialists to deliver best-in-class retail execution across key accounts
• Develop and implement trade marketing plans, promotions, and activations for German supermarkets and key retail partners
• Build strong relationships with key buyers and category managers in German supermarkets (e.g., Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland)
• Ensure optimal shelf presence, planogram compliance, and in-store visibility for all products

Product Marketing & Innovation

• Collaborate with R&D, Product Development, and Global Marketing teams to adapt products and packaging for the German market
• Lead product launches, relaunches, and innovation pipelines in Germany
• Conduct consumer feedback sessions, product tests, and market research to inform product development and marketing strategies

Consumer Insights & Market Research

• Design and execute consumer feedback programs, product tests, and concept testing to validate new products and marketing campaigns
• Analyse consumer trends, competitor activity, and market dynamics to identify growth opportunities
• Translate consumer insights into actionable marketing strategies and campaigns

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Trade Marketing professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance
• Set clear goals, KPIs, and development plans for team members
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Operations, and Global Marketing teams

Budget Management & Performance Tracking

• Manage the marketing budget for Germany, ensuring optimal allocation of resources across brand, trade, and product marketing activities
• Track and report on KPIs including sales growth, market share, distribution, ROI, and brand health metrics
• Prepare regular performance reports for senior leadership and stakeholders

Candidate Profile

Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive marketing experience in the food or FMCG sector, with a strong focus on product and trade marketing
• Proven track record of leading marketing strategies and driving product push growth in the German market
• Extensive experience working with German supermarkets and key retail accounts (e.g., Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland) is a strong advantage
• Experience leading and developing a team of Trade Marketing professionals
• Strong understanding of consumer insights, product testing, and market research methodologies
• Demonstrated success in launching and growing products in the German FMCG market

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional strategic thinking and business acumen
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (written and verbal)
• Proficiency in marketing analytics, budget management, and performance tracking
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, cross-functional team
• High level of organisational and time management skills

Languages

• Fluent in German and English (written and spoken) is essential
• Additional European languages are a plus