At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve commercial operations across Europe, Africa, and APAC for a major spirits company.
- Company: Join Brown-Forman, a leading premium spirits company with a focus on growth and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, premium benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving commercial effectiveness and innovation.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in CPG or alcohol beverage industry with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific Operating Division represents over $1.6bn in net sales. We seek to continuously improve commercial effectiveness across the business through multifunctional integration, commercial capabilities and the tools and processes that are used to activate our brands across the markets.
The Commercial Operations Director is the business leader for the EAA division tasked with successfully leading and continuously improving the Global Integrated Business Planning process. This person will be fully accountable for the success of the IBP process. They will also lead the agenda to enhance the commercial effectiveness of the division through successfully developing, implementing and continuously improving a full commercial capability agenda at EAA level, accommodating the varied needs of the markets along their different stages of development and subsequent effectiveness.
This role will partner closely with Sales, Supply Chain, Marketing, Global Production, and Finance teams to execute best in class Integrated Business Planning processes and deploy the commercial capability agenda.
What You Can Expect
- IBP ownership
- Continuous improvement of meeting and process standards, documentation, and systems for Integrated Business Planning
- Developing needed capabilities in various teams to ensure cross-functional collaboration, decision making, and shared accountability in all IBP process step meetings and pre-meetings
- Developing & championing cross-functional KPIs to build alignment at all levels in the organization
- Ensuring accountability for ALL team members to agreed process standards regardless of organizational level or role
- Implementing full PMO recommendations on IBP
- Integrating IBP with other processes in the organization to contribute to a fully integrated planning process
- Partners closely with key stakeholders to implement business strategy, consolidate data, and validate KPI alignment through the IBP
- Drives the cycle of IBP activity meetings and inputs/outputs, ensuring that functions are prepared and that there is visibility and communication on sales, demand, distribution, and supply trends to support business growth toward longer term objectives
- Steps in and steps up, actively contributing as needed to ensure the IBP activity runs smoothly
Commercial capabilities
- Developing commercial capability curriculum, through engagement with Managing Directors and Commercial Directors for use across all EAA markets
- Additional ad hoc support to reflect varying stages of development across EAA
- Deployment of commercial capability programs across markets in EAA
- Lead refresher/revamp of B‐F Commercial Way and update for current reality and market span
- Connection into global L&D function to ensure approach in alignment with global approach
Ad hoc projects
- Possibility for ad hoc projects related to process and systems infrastructure improvement within EAA
General
- Leads with a continuous improvement mindset as the process evolves across the EAA division
- Provides timely internal communication to the EAA Leadership Teams
- Partners with IT to automate reporting, scenario planning and implementation of commercial capability platforms
Additional responsibilities
- Develops key relationships within Supply Chain, Customer Service and Global Production teams
- Provides strategic direction, project leadership and hands‐on tactical support where needed of key commercial initiatives
- Distributor supply chain efficiency & improvements to partner integration
- Finding/sharing solutions on slow moving inventory concern
- New product commercialization input
What You Bring to the Table
- Experience: 10+ years of business experience in the CPG or alcohol beverage industry, including some combination of commercial and operational roles
- Successful track record building teams, supporting and guiding individual developmental, and fostering organizational influence
- Ability to set clear milestones and lead projects and structured business processes to positive results
- Demonstrated skills in facilitating cross‐functional meetings involving senior executives
- Effective communication at all levels of the organization and ability to drive accountability in a culturally appropriate manner
Who We Are
We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is Nothing Better in the Market than a career at Brown‐Forman. Being a part of Brown‐Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.
What We Offer
Total Rewards at Brown‐Forman is designed to engage our people to ensure sustainable and profitable growth for generations to come. As a premium spirits company, we offer equitable pay structures for individual and company performance alongside a premium employee experience. We offer a range of premium benefits that reflect our company values and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.
Commercial Operations Director - Europe, Africa, APAC in London employer: BROWN-FORMAN
At Brown-Forman, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work environment that champions personal and professional growth. As the Commercial Operations Director for the Europe, Africa, and APAC division, you will be at the forefront of driving commercial effectiveness while collaborating with diverse teams in a vibrant city like Amsterdam. Our commitment to equitable pay, premium benefits, and a culture that values teamwork ensures that you will find meaningful and rewarding employment from day one.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Operations Director - Europe, Africa, APAC in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Commercial Operations Director. Highlight your successes in improving processes and leading teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Operations Director - Europe, Africa, APAC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Operations Director. Highlight your experience in commercial and operational roles, especially in the CPG or alcohol beverage industry. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to build teams and drive accountability. Share examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional projects and improved processes in your previous roles. We love seeing real-world impact!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at BROWN-FORMAN
✨Know Your IBP Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with how it integrates across different functions like Sales, Supply Chain, and Marketing. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've improved or implemented IBP in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong collaboration across various teams. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully led cross-functional meetings or projects. Highlight your ability to drive accountability and foster teamwork, especially in a culturally diverse environment.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
The company values a continuous improvement approach. Think of examples where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented solutions. Be ready to discuss how you can bring this mindset to enhance commercial effectiveness in the EAA division.
✨Prepare for Strategic Thinking Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Prepare to discuss how you've set clear milestones and led projects to achieve positive results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
