Sales Manager Belgium

Batenborch International; Belgique; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Batenborch International in Belgium is seeking a seasoned sales professional to take full P&L responsibility for multiple retailers and pet specialists. The role focuses on expanding share of own label and building brands, with scope for future international responsibilities.

You will lead strategic account plans, negotiate terms, and collaborate with internal teams to deliver sustained growth in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Proficiency in Dutch, French, and English is essential.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Dutch, French, and English.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant commercial experience in large FMCG environments.
• Experience with key account or category management is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic, long-term relationships with major retail/pet-specialist customers in Belgium.
• Own the strategic plan for accounts and drive sales and P&L alignment with company goals.
• Lead forecast planning with finance and supply to ensure stellar customer service and financial consistency.
• Lead customer negotiations and manage value-based trading terms.
• Coordinate with internal teams (Catman, Production, Product Developers) to achieve mutual goals.

Skills

Dutch

French

English

Education

Master's degree in business economics

Job description

It isn’t just a pet food company — they are a leader in the European pet food industry. The company is owned by one of the largest Private Equity firms worldwide. As one of the top 3 pet food manufacturers in Europe, they provide over 600 customers across 40 markets with high-quality products. From dry kibbles to wet food and tasty snacks, they’ve been recognized as an industry innovator, shaping the future of pet nutrition.They are proud of their enormous innovative approach, introducing sustainably sourced ingredients, grain‑free options, and natural pet food lines that set the standard for the industry. Their brands continue to thrive, and they are just getting started! What makes them different? They focus on delivering products that enhance the lives of pets and pet owners while also caring for the planet. Sustainability is at their core, and they are consistently developing products that align with the latest trends in human food, including more natural, fresh ingredients. Do you love pets? And are you ready to take the next exciting step in your sales career? Do you thrive in a fast‑paced, innovative environment where you can make a real impact? If you’re driven by a passion for pets, sales, and innovation, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Poste

You will have the complete P&L responsibility of multiple retailers/pet specialists within Belgium. Future international responsibilities are strongly possible. Your main focus will be to grow the existing partnerships by expanding their own label share (via current and/or new product categories) and/or building their brands. Internally you manage functionally an international team of several departments in place to achieve common goals: category management, product management, supply, customer service, finance,.. In this role, you start reporting to the Country manager of amongst others BE/UK and once you can run the business independently to the General Manager BNL/UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop strategic, long‑term relationships with your major retail/pet specialty customers; (Colruyt, Delhaize, Carrefour, Aldi, Lidl, Aveve, Tom&Co…)
• Take full ownership of the strategic plan for your accounts, driving sales and managing the profit and loss elements, aligning with the broader company goals;
• Lead forecast planning in unison with finance and supply teams to provide stellar customer service and financial consistency;
• Lead customer negotiations, representing the company’s commercial interests and value‑based trading terms effectively.
• Manage functionally & work closely together with several internal teams (Catman, Production, Product Developers) to achieve their partners’ and the company's mutual ambitions.

This role is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of a highly successful and innovative company that is a European market leader and to build your career in a fast‑growing industry.

Profil

Education A master’s degree in business economics or similar

Languages Fluent in Dutch, French, and English

Experience You are an ambitious, customer‑centric goal getter, who has :

• Minimum 7 years of relevant commercial experience in large FMCG environments, such as Key Account Management or Category Management.
• Proven track record of achieving ambitious goals and delivering strong results, even in challenging circumstances
• Knowledge of the Belgian pet food market is a strong plus.
• Affinity with pets and/or pet food is important; technical nutritional or production knowledge is not essential, provided there is a strong willingness to learn.

Key Competencies

• Resilient and result driven, focusing on long term sustainable growth
• Create and implement a 360° negotiation approach
• Strong sense of ownership: treat the company as if it was your own
• Entrepreneurial spirit : Continuously identifying new growth opportunities and finding ways on how to unlock them. ; Creative problem solver with a can-do mentality ; Doesn’t take a no for an answer
• Strategic thinker, being able to make your own 1, 3 and 5y plan, in line with company’s ambition
• Strong internal stakeholder management, being able to collaborate with/get things done from several departments
• Analytical: Ability to read and understand your P&L in depth and act upon ito Ability to understand multiple datasets e.g. Nielsen data

Based in Belgium