At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow itsu's business in DACH markets, managing distributors and driving sales.
- Company: Join itsu, a fast-growing brand revolutionising healthy eating across Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health insurance, hybrid working, and generous employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible, collaborative environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of fast food in Europe.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in FMCG sales, fluent in German and English, with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Qualifications
- A candidate with 3+ years’ experience in FMCG, in international sales through distributors or direct to market.
- Experience in DACH markets is highly desirable.
- Experience managing distributors and/or direct to retailers.
- Exposure to field sales strategy.
- Fluent in German and English.
- Comfortable travelling regularly across the region.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Commercially astute with excellent negotiation skills and P&L management.
- Detail-oriented and collaborative, with confidence and communication skills to work with various stakeholders in the business.
- A flexible, can-do attitude with the willingness to work closely with others within a small team, a real self-starter.
- A true entrepreneur with a passion for food and a true brand ambassador.
About Us
itsu is the healthy eating, Asian inspired quick service retail & grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-in-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
itsu [grocery], which this role falls under, takes the itsu brand into supermarkets, health food stores, online, wholesale and internationally with products such as frozen gyoza, soup dumplings & bao, rice noodles, and our world food range to name a few. Buoyed by the success in the UK, itsu [grocery] International have expanded into several European markets, winning some major listings in key retailers. With more ground-breaking products in the pipeline and expanding into new and exciting categories (and markets), this is just the beginning.
D&I Statement
itsu [grocery] is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for all of our opportunities.
Scope of the Role
itsu [grocery] is looking for a European Business Manager (DACH) to take ownership of our Central Europe business and join our fast-growing international team. This role will lead our existing German business while launching and scaling Austria and Switzerland. You’ll own the P&L, shape the strategy, and play a key role in delivering our next phase of European growth. This is a great opportunity for someone with FMCG account or distributor management experience who is ready to step up into broader ownership and build markets with a high-growth brand.
Responsibilities
- Establish and develop two new markets in Switzerland and Austria, ensuring the strategy for each region is delivered alongside the creation of a multi-year plan.
- Manage our current distributor in Germany with the key roles of leading commercial negotiations, including pricing and promotional strategy.
- Unlock new distribution while accelerating growth in existing listings.
- Work closely with supply chain and demand planning teams to ensure strong in-market performance [OTIF, launches, availability].
- Partner with marketing to build impactful activation plans [media, POS, field sales incentives].
- Provide regular performance updates to senior stakeholders [North Europe Sales Controller & senior management].
- Ability to quickly react to issues faced and come to the table with logical solutions, a problem-solving mindset.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays).
- Health insurance.
- Company pension scheme.
- Hybrid working (2 days wfh).
- Opportunity to work from abroad.
- 50% employee discount in itsu shops.
- Free itsu lunch.
- Discounts at major retailers.
- Salary sacrifice cycle and electric vehicle schemes.
- A sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development.
European Business Manager [DACH] employer: itsu
itsu is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters growth and innovation. As a European Business Manager in the DACH region, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a hybrid working model, all while being part of a passionate team dedicated to revolutionising healthy eating. With a strong commitment to employee development and a vibrant atmosphere, itsu provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land European Business Manager [DACH]
✨Leverage Local Networking Events
Field sales is all about building relationships, so look out for local networking events or industry meetups. These gatherings are prime spots for making connections with potential clients and employers. Bring your A-game and chat about your experiences—first impressions matter!
✨Showcase Your Sales Success Stories
Prepare a couple of solid success stories from your past experiences in sales to share during interviews. Think about specific targets you hit or ways you went above and beyond for your clients. Don't be shy—these stories help illustrate your value to itsu as a field sales pro!
✨Scout Out the Competition
Research potential competitors for itsu and tailor your approach based on what you find. Understanding their sales strategies will not only help you in interviews, but also give you better talking points when you connect with current employees or industry pros on platforms like LinkedIn.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We know that applying through job boards is tempting, but hitting up itsu’s website directly can show your genuine interest. Plus, you might find some hidden gems or roles that haven't been advertised yet. So, make it a priority to check it out!
We think you need these skills to ace European Business Manager [DACH]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Sales Savvy:For a field-sales role like this one at itsu, highlight your previous sales experience prominently on your CV. Use specific numbers to showcase your achievements—think along the lines of 'exceeded sales targets by 20%' or 'expanded client base by 50%'. We want to see your skills in action!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the role at itsu, but also your understanding of the field sales landscape. Talk about what strategies you've successfully employed in past positions and how they could translate to success in this new role. This is your chance to shine!
Emphasise Interpersonal Skills:Field sales isn't just about the sale—it's about building relationships. Make sure to highlight your communication and negotiation skills in your application materials. We’re all about someone who can connect with clients, so weave those soft skills into your CV and cover letter.
Proof of Performance:If you have any sales certifications or training, definitely include those in your application. They add credibility and show your commitment to growing your sales skills. We believe in the power of ongoing development, so don’t hesitate to include those details to stand out to us at itsu.
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Show Off Your Sales Savvy
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of key sales techniques and terminologies. We can expect to dive into your past sales experiences, so be ready to discuss your approach to prospecting, closing deals, and managing client relationships. A few solid examples of your past successes could really make you stand out!
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Having a solid understanding of the products or services that itsu offers is essential. We want to hear how you would convey the value of these to potential clients and address any common objections they might have. If you can tie your knowledge back to real-life scenarios, that'll make your answers even more compelling!
✨Flex Your Adaptability Muscles
As a full-time field-sales rep, your day can be unpredictable. Be prepared to share how you've adapted your sales strategies to different situations or client needs. We love to hear stories where you’ve had to think on your feet or adjust your pitch mid-meeting—this shows you’re not just a one-size-fits-all salesperson!
✨Plan Your Questions Wisely
At the end of the interview, we'll likely ask if you have any questions for us. Use this opportunity to ask about the sales team's culture and the tools you'll be using out in the field. This not only shows your genuine interest in itsu but also helps you get a feel for whether you’d thrive in that environment.
