At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the launch and growth of itsu grocery in Scandinavia and the Nordics.
- Company: Join itsu, a fast-growing brand revolutionising healthy eating across Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting journey to expand a beloved brand in new markets.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in FMCG sales, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The Ideal Candidate
- A candidate with 3+ years’ experience in FMCG, in international sales through distributors or direct to market.
- Experience in Scandi / Nordic markets is highly desirable but not mandatory.
- Experience managing distributors and/or direct to retailers in Europe.
- Exposure to field sales strategy and execution.
- 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.
- An 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.
Nominated for exporter of the year 2026. 60% growth expected this year. Double digit head count growth. 'Best introduction in 2025' for our chicken soup dumplings by Levensmiddelenkrant.
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 covering the Scandinavia and the Nordics region, to take ownership of the region and join our fast-growing international team. This role will be responsible for launching and scaling itsu [grocery] into Scandinavia and the Nordics. 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.
- Establish and develop new markets in the region, ensuring the strategy for each region is delivered alongside the creation of a multi-year plan.
- Manage each distributor, building a strong, performance-driven partnership.
- Lead on 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 [head of sales international & senior management].
- Ability to quickly react to issues faced and comes to the table with logical solutions, a problem-solving mindset.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Competitive bonus scheme.
- 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 [Nordics] employer: itsu
itsu is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters growth and innovation in the fast-paced FMCG sector. With a commitment to employee development, competitive benefits including health insurance, hybrid working options, and a generous training budget, itsu empowers its team members to thrive while contributing to the exciting expansion of its grocery brand across Europe. Join us in shaping the future of healthy eating and be part of a diverse and inclusive culture that values collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land European Business Manager [Nordics]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the FMCG industry, especially those who have experience in the Nordic markets. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn – you never know who might help you land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching itsu and understanding their products and market strategy. Show your passion for food and how you can contribute to their growth in Scandinavia. Tailor your answers to highlight your experience in managing distributors and your commercial acumen.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves leading commercial negotiations, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to strike deals. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨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 are proactive and take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace European Business Manager [Nordics]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of European Business Manager. Highlight your experience in FMCG and any relevant work in the Nordic markets. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for food and why you want to be part of itsu. Let us know how your skills can help us grow in Scandinavia and the Nordics.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate your success in managing distributors or driving sales. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Know Your FMCG Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the FMCG sector, especially in relation to the Nordic markets. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with distributors and direct sales, as well as any specific strategies you've used to drive growth in similar environments.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led, particularly in pricing or promotional strategies. Highlight how these negotiations positively impacted P&L management and contributed to overall business success.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to share instances where you've successfully collaborated with teams. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and adapt to different working styles within a small team.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Think of scenarios where you've faced challenges in your previous roles and how you tackled them. This will show your potential employer that you have a proactive, can-do attitude and are equipped to handle the fast-paced, high-growth environment at itsu.
