Head of E-commerce EMEA

E-commerce is a key growth area for Jack Link’s – the US-based global leader in branded protein snacks. The Head of E-commerce EMEA is responsible for developing and implementing the European E-commerce strategy to accelerate sales and optimize the company’s online presence across all online channels.

About Jack Link’s

Jack Link’s protein snacks are made with lots of flavor, lots of passion and lots of energy to power through. And this same authenticity is reflected in the company’s culture. The people at Jack Link’s are not your average corporate button-up types. They do things differently and don’t get caught up in corporate complexity. This results in an open, dynamic, diverse and high-paced culture that enhances personal growth, ample challenge with the opportunity to make a real impact.

“Our philosophy is: feed your wild side. For us, that means rolling up your sleeves, not shying away from challenges, taking risks, and pushing hard to get things done.” – Robbie Pastoor, HR Director EMEA

Jack Link’s is the world’s number one brand of protein snacks. Beef jerky is their flagship product, made with delicate strips of premium beef combined with family recipes, seasonings and a little smoke. The result: delicious, high-protein meat snacks. Jack Link’s is a family-owned business that started about 130 years ago in northern Wisconsin. It has grown from scratch to become the leader in its industry with over two billion in annual revenues globally.

Jack Link’s is a global powerhouse with 3,500 team members worldwide and major footprints in the US, Europe, Latin America, Australia and Asia. EMEA is one of its main growth regions. In 2014, the company made its first steps in Europe and acquired Unliver’s BiFi and Peperami brands.

Today, their EMEA’s total annual revenue is over 200 million euros, which represents about ten percent of global sales, and is showing double-digit growth. Jack Link’s has a strong European presence in Germany, the UK and Benelux. Its headquarters are located in an open, inspirational, and vibrant office at a great location in Amsterdam. The EMEA team is made up of nearly seventy highly-international people with over 25 different nationalities, and is dedicated to continuing its impressive European expansion.

Vacancy: Head of E-commerce EMEA

In the last several years, Jack Link’s EMEA division has made considerable steps in building its online business. With their focused E-commerce strategy, they are achieving high online growth that represents close to ten percent of EMEA’s total revenues. It will be up to the new Head of E-commerce EMEA to further execute the online strategy across product categories and establish and optimize their presence across all online channels and brands (Jack Link’s, BiFi and Peperami). This role will report to the Managing Director EMEA and be a member of the global E-commerce steerco that shares learnings and best practices between geographies.

“We’re looking for a strategic mastermind with a bias for action and delivering results. Someone who deeply understands the intricacies of E-commerce and takes personal ownership for the next phase of growth across the EMEA region.” – Jan Pieter Schretlen, Managing Director EMEA

The main challenge for the Head of E-commerce EMEA is to continue to develop the company’s current online growth rate now that they are past the early phase of quick wins. Their most promising areas of focus will be to strengthen the brand’s presence in large online marketplaces like Amazon, deepen its position in current markets in the UK, Germany and  Benelux, and to enter new countries.

Jack Link’s E-commerce strategy revolves around marketplaces (e.g., Amazon), retail.com (e.g., Tesco.co.uk), specialist retailers (e.g., Picnic), and pure players (e.g., jerkyhouse.de). In their strategic assessments and initiatives, the Head of E-commerce will not only focus on sales but also have a holistic business perspective to connect with all functions. These include customer experience, brand building, partnership selection, fulfillment, continuous growth and entrepreneurship. This planning is several years out, and now is the time to ground their vision in analytics to drive the business forward through innovation (e.g., product, marketing, or channel).

Working in a small team with direct and indirect reports, the Head of E-commerce EMEA will roll up their sleeves and balance daily execution with longer term strategy development. They should also initiate and coordinate collaboration with other teams, such as Category Management, Sales, and (Trade) Marketing, and with external partners and agencies. Additionally, the Head of E-commerce EMEA works closely with multiple senior-level stakeholders in EMEA and globally.

The broad scope of this role makes it both challenging and exciting. It offers hands-on management and strategic optimization across numerous digital channels and geographies. For someone who craves speed, entrepreneurship, freedom and agility, the position of Head of E-commerce is a perfect fit.

Interested?

Jack Link’s is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
To express your interest, please contact Max Tasseron at max.tasseron@topofminds.com.