Head of Food Service - Eastern Europe

Kraft Heinz is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world. The organization is now focused on expanding its brand into emerging markets and the food service sector. The Head of Food Service – Eastern Europe will drive this growth, lead the team and manage important accounts in the region.

About Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz is the fifth largest food and beverage company in the world. They own some of the biggest global brands in the food industry, including their iconic Heinz Ketchup. Their unparalleled product portfolio can be found in retail stores and food service channels worldwide and are a trusted household name that families stock in their fridge or pantry.

This global powerhouse highly values its customers and employees, who work in more than forty countries and earns twenty-six billion in revenue. The people-centric brand places consumers at the center of everything they do and is dedicated to providing high quality, great taste and nutrition for all eating occasions at home, in restaurants or on-the-go. Kraft Heinz values diversity and different points of view and encourages its employees to innovate, anticipate and respond to the consumers’ future needs.

Aspiring to become the best food company in the world, Kraft Heinz is undergoing a transformational journey to ‘sustainably grow by delighting more consumers daily.’ To achieve this goal, they are increasing their brand presence and extending their products’ reach in three key focus areas: The US, emerging markets, and the food service sector.

Vacancy: Head of Food Service – Eastern Europe

Kraft Heinz has historically been dependent on developed markets. Now, the company sees significant potential to grow their brand and market share by expanding their business into emerging markets and food services. The Head of Food Service – Eastern Europe will play an important role within the organization’s strategic transformation as the leader of food service operations in the Eastern European region. An ambitious go-getter, the candidate will hit the ground running, invest in building strong relationships with key accounts, and confidently lead the food service team, while actively pursuing growth opportunities to achieve impressive results.

The company’s Eastern European business unit is highly profitable. It consistently delivers double digit growth with plenty of room for further expansion. The region includes twenty-five countries, which are managed by a highly international team of forty-six people with more than eighteen nationalities who work in two offices, the Amsterdam HQ, and a legal entity in the Czech Republic. The food service business in the various countries operates with a local distributor model, except in the Czech Republic where a local team is based. They have two main segments: Global Key Accounts, including large chains and Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs); and Independents, such as smaller chains and shops in local countries.

The Head of Food Service’s strategically manages all key and independent client relationships in Eastern Europe, and will identify and pursue growth opportunities, as well as develop and implement national food service plans across sub-channels and multiple categories. This includes participating in tender processes with key accounts, developing attractive pitches, and effectively negotiating to close important deals. Additionally, they will liaise with dedicated distributors and wholesalers, develop a strong network in various markets and local countries, and enable access to new business opportunities with independents.

This role thrives in the driver’s seat role and will take ownership of their deliverables and responsibility for their team’s performance. They report to the Managing Director – Eastern Europe and join the regional Leadership Team. The candidate will manage two direct reports and indirectly, six Sales Business Developers, and four food service key accounts managers. An inspirational mentor, the Head of Food Service will build up the team’s industry knowledge, enhance technical capabilities, increase efficiencies, and improve account management abilities.

In this dynamic role, the Head of Food Service is in daily contact with various stakeholders from different countries and backgrounds. A culturally connected people-person, they can navigate conversations, understand when and how to adjust their message based on the recipient to ensure their communication is clear and effective. They seamlessly adapt to change and are comfortable in new environments, take the time and effort to get to know their clients and team members on a deeper level, and develop collaborative relationships.

“Kraft Heinz products are staples in kitchens around the world, but we see even more potential to enter new markets and gain new customers. This is an opportunity to really make their mark, on the team and the market, as the leader of not one, but two of the company’s most important focus areas for future growth.” – Alexandra Colleaux, HR Business Partner Eastern Europe of Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz offers a lively, creative and inclusive work environment with a diverse international team who are passionate about food. This role will be based in the company’s Amsterdam office and the candidate will travel once a week each month to visit various local countries’ distributors and key accounts. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic and entrepreneurial leader who is eager to take charge and make a lasting impact at one of the largest companies in the world.

Interested?

Kraft Heinz is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
To express your interest, please contact Emily Olij at emilyolij@topofminds.com