COUNTRY MANAGER NL

PETIT FORESTIER NEDERLAND; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Remote working possibility

Learning & Development access

Job summary

Petit Forestier Nederland seeks an experienced Country Manager NL to drive operational excellence, commercial leadership and people management across the Netherlands. This field‑based role requires close engagement with teams, a strong customer focus and the ability to deliver results in a fast‑moving environment.

The successful candidate will build high‑performing teams, improve business performance and foster trusted relationships with clients, suppliers and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of leadership experience in operational, commercial or general management roles.
• Master’s degree preferred, especially with a focus on operations, strategy, or logistics.
• Knowledge of the Netherlands market dynamics.
• Experience in refrigerated solutions, contract hire, or service‑based B2B sectors.
• Understanding of sustainability trends (e.g. alternative fuels).

Responsibilities

• Act as a visible and hands‑on leader across locations in the Netherlands.
• Shape and execute the commercial strategy across all customer segments and product lines.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting cycles, analyse KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve profitability and efficiency.
• Own the country P&L.
• Drive pricing discipline, customer retention and profitable growth.
• Promote continuous improvement and change management.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Stakeholder management

Commercial insight

Data-driven decisions

Dutch language

English language

French language

Education

Master's degree (MBA) preferred

Job description

At the heart of a Group where every job has a meaning, we're looking for our future Country Manager NL M/F in Rotterdam, Netherlands. At Petit Forestier Group, every employee is a talent. Through your expertise and skills, you'll help us to improve quality of life by mastering the cold chain. Trust the only European multi-product refrigeration provider, Petit Forestier supports you to meet all your needs, from utility vehicles to trucks, display units and refrigerated containers. We are the only European provider present across the entire cold chain. Why join us? A dynamic and stimulating environment within the Group, with the ambition of becoming the world leader in sustainable refrigerated rental. A dynamic team ready to take on new challenges every day. Opportunities for development and continuous training, through an integrated E-Learning tool.

What will the role be about? The Country Manager Netherlands plays a central role in Petit Forestier’s European transformation journey. The role combines operational excellence, commercial leadership and people management to drive sustainable performance across the Netherlands business. This is a hands‑on, field‑based leadership role requiring close engagement with teams, strong customer focus and the ability to deliver results in a fast‑moving environment. The successful candidate will build high‑performing teams, improve business performance and foster trusted relationships with clients, suppliers and key stakeholders. The role also forms part of the wider BENELUX leadership perimeter, contributing to regional alignment, cross‑border synergies and shared performance priorities.

Working conditions: Primarily office‑based in the Netherlands (Rotterdam). Regular travel across Dutch sites (depots, clients, team coaching) and BENELUX leadership meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a visible and hands‑on leader across all locations in the Netherlands.
• Support local managers, drive day‑to‑day excellence and ensure alignment between frontline execution and strategy.
• Build accountability, pace and execution discipline across the country.
• Shape and execute the commercial strategy across all customer segments and product lines.
• Accelerate organic growth, develop client relationships and identify new business opportunities.
• Drive pricing discipline, customer retention and profitable growth.
• Lead local transformation priorities and support the deployment of Group projects and systems.
• Promote continuous improvement, simplification and strong process discipline.
• Engage teams in embedding change as a sustainable way of working.
• Inspire, coach and develop a high‑performing local management team.
• Foster engagement, accountability and a culture aligned with Petit Forestier’s values and business goals.
• Strengthen succession planning and leadership capability across the organisation.
• Own the country P&L.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting cycles, analyse KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve profitability and efficiency.
• Ensure robust governance and compliance with Group standards.
• Optimise workshop operations, reduce outsourcing and improve fleet utilisation and service quality.
• Drive operational KPIs linked to availability, service levels and customer satisfaction.
• Build trusted relationships with key suppliers to secure optimal pricing and high service quality, supporting sustainable growth and operational reliability.
• Contribute actively to BENELUX leadership reviews and regional priorities.
• Share best practices and performance levers across Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
• Collaborate with central teams, peers and Group functions to support collective progress.

Education & Experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in operational, commercial or general management leadership roles.
• Master’s degree (e.g., MBA) preferred, especially with a focus on operations, strategy, or logistics.
• Knowledge of the Netherlands market dynamics.
• Experience in refrigerated solutions, contract hire, or service‑based B2B sectors.
• Understanding of sustainability trends (e.g. alternative fuels).

Qualifications & Skills

• Leads from the front, values field proximity.
• Strong track record in operational leadership.
• Inspires confidence, ownership and accountability.
• Highly pragmatic, hands‑on and action‑oriented.
• Excellent communicator.
• Resilient, empathetic and decisive in the face of change.
• Strong stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strong commercial insight with strategic agility.
• Strong P&L and business performance mindset.
• Comfortable with systems thinking and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Demonstrated success in performance improvement and transformation.
• Process governance and cross‑country deployment experience.
• Full professional proficiency in Dutch and English is required.
• French business proficiency is a plus.

What are we offering

You will join a passionate, collaborative team working to transform our operations and accelerate our growth across Europe.

• Learning & Development Access to our integrated e‑learning platform and tailored leadership support.
• Company car.
• The possibility of remote working, depending on operational needs and company policies.
• A friendly working environment with committed collaborative teams.
• Training opportunities to develop your skills and boost your career.

You’ll be part of a team that embodies the Group’s values: passion, service, commitment and agility.

Petit Forestier Group is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion for all its employees.

The company also offers a wide range of internal opportunities, depending on employees’ projects: geographical mobility (in France or abroad), internal promotion, change of profession.

Petit Forestier Group, a family‑run business for nearly 120 years, brings together 5,900 talented employees across more than 22 countries, united by a shared mission: ‘Improving life through cold chain expertise’. By preserving food, medical products and other sensitive goods that are essential to our lives, we offer everyone a meaningful career.