VP Marketing

Ritter Sport; Waldenbuch; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ritter Sport seeks a senior marketing leader to own global marketing strategy, brand activation, and product innovation from our Waldenbuch base. You will drive growth by aligning consumer insights with go-to-market strategies and leading cross-functional teams across regions.

The role demands 12-15 years of senior marketing leadership, an MBA or Master’s in a related field, and fluency in English with good German.

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of senior marketing leadership with international experience beyond the DACH region.
• Master’s degree or MBA in Marketing, Business Administration, Innovation Management, or related field.
• Deep understanding of the full marketing mix (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) and lifecycle management.
• Visionary, cross-functional leader with an international mindset and experience steering complex organizations.
• Strong analytical, commercial, and agile mindset; experience with digital transformation and AI-enabled operations.
• Excellent English skills and good German skills to navigate global markets while staying connected to Waldenbuch roots.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Mix: Oversee Brand Strategy & Research, Communication & Design, Product Management, and Brands Management.
• Empower the Markets: Provide leadership and strategic guidance to local Marketing & Brand Activation teams worldwide.
• Drive Innovation & Impact: Connect consumer insights, innovation pipelines, and product development with go-to-market strategies.
• Create Commercial Success: Ensure brand vision translates into commercially successful, consumer-relevant products and experiences.
• Collaborate Globally: Work with Regional VPs and Managing Directors to align global roadmap with local execution.

Skills

Marketing leadership

Strategic growth

International management

Brand strategy

Product lifecycle

Digital transformation

Analytical skills

English proficiency

German language

Education

MBA or Master’s in Marketing/Business Administration/Innovation Management

Job description

At our family-owned business, you’ll find a positive, team-oriented, and trusting work environment - here, you can actively shape the future from day one. Together, we make truly great chocolate and, as pioneers, take a leading role in caring for people and the environment.

Your Mission: The Sweet Spot of Strategy & Growth

As our central architect for consumer, brand, product & innovation, you will lead our global marketing organization to accelerate growth.

• Lead the Mix: You will oversee our integrated pillars Brand Strategy & Research, Communication & Design, Product Management, and Brands Management.
• Empower the Markets: You will provide functional leadership and strategic guidance to our local Marketing & Brand Activation teams worldwide.
• Drive Innovation & Impact: You will be the crucial link connecting consumer insights, innovation pipelines, and product development with top-tier communication and go-to-market strategies.
• Create Commercial Success: You act as a strategic growth leader, ensuring that our brand vision translates into commercially successful, consumer-relevant products and jaw-dropping brand experiences across all focus markets.
• Collaborate Globally: You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with Regional Vice Presidents and local Managing Directors to ensure our global roadmap hits the mark locally.

Your Recipe for Success

As an experienced marketing leader, you combine strategic brilliance with commercial pragmatism.

• Experience: 12-15 years of senior marketing leadership in FMCG or consumer-driven industries, with several years of international management experience well beyond the DACH region.
• Education: A Master’s degree or MBA in Marketing, Business Administration, Innovation Management, or a related field.
• Holistic Expertise: Deep understanding of the full marketing mix (Product, Price, Place, Promotion). You have a stellar track record in product lifecycle management, brand strategy, and integrated go-to-market activations.
• Leadership Style: You are a visionary, cross-functional leader with a pronounced international mindset. You know how to steer complex organizations, drive transformation, and manage diverse global stakeholders.
• Modern Mindset: You are highly analytical, commercially driven, and agile. Experience in driving digital transformation, AI-enabled operations, or modern marketing models is a huge plus.
• Language Skills: Excellent English skills and good German skills, so you’ll be perfectly equipped to navigate our global markets while remaining closely connected to our roots in Waldenbuch.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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