Head of Strategy

HEMA is a 90 year’s old Dutch retailer of unique items meant for everyday life with more than 750 branches internationally. It was recently backed by private equity fund Ramphastos and is seeking accelerated growth through further brand development, fast international expansion, and advanced omnichannel retail. It has created a strategy unit and is looking for an experienced (former) strategy consultant as the Head of Strategy. This is a unique opportunity to join the beloved HEMA brand, set the strategic direction and shape the company’s future.

About HEMA

HEMA is a Dutch retailer of items that enrich the daily lives of everybody. Founded in 1926, it currently has more than 750 branches in 10 countries. The essence of the brand has always revolved around offering the right balance between good and sustainable quality, in-house design and great value for money.

In 2018, HEMA was acquired by investment fund Ramphastos, fueling the company’s growth ambitions and strategic planning. Growth should come from further brand development, fast international expansion through franchising and partnerships, and advanced e-commerce omnichannel retail. This summer, HEMA entered the United States and Canada through a retail partnership with Walmart and the United Arab Emirates and Qatar with a franchise partner. In the Dutch local market, HEMA also has new partnerships with the Wehkamp webshop and with Jumbo supermarkets, selling branded products through third-party retail channels.

Within HEMA, the strategy office is a new department. It consists of several fields, such as program management, portfolio management, strategic reporting, and strategy development.  The company is taking control of its direction to an increasing degree, including through a more sophisticated approach in terms of the development of the multi-year strategy and their tactical plans.

“It’s an incredible time to join such a beloved brand as HEMA: we are currently in the midst of the transitional phase in which very high-impact decisions will be made.” – Martine Tol – Van Oostrum, Chief Brand & Strategy Officer

Vacancy: Head of Strategy

The Head of Strategy leads the strategy office, which is responsible for the development of the strategy and its translation into plans as well as the creation of best practices projects. In addition, the strategy office guides and coaches project leaders on the proper execution of these projects.

Areas and objectives that the Head of Strategy will focus on include:

• Setting up strategic projects and programs and ensuring best practice execution, with a focus on the HEMA operating model as well as on new business;
• Managing strategic programs and creating transparency through monthly reporting cycles (through balanced scorecards) as well as direct Supervisory Board reporting;
• Prioritizing and matching company resources through portfolio management;
• Stakeholder management throughout the organization on all matters related to strategy.

The Head of Strategy will engage in stakeholder management across the organization and build and lead the strategy team (2-6 FTE). The role reports to the Chief Brand & Strategy Officer directly, Martine Tol – van Oostrum. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned strategy consultant to join a PE-backed retailer and have a direct impact on the company’s strategic direction and its future.

Skills

• Strong leadership skills
• Self-starter and rolling-up-the-sleeves attitude
• Pragmatic
• Good stakeholder management
• Strategic and tactical conceptual thinking
• Goal-oriented, results-driven and organizationally sensitive

HEMA works with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
Contact Imke Peters at imke.peters@topofminds.com for more information.