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 fast food across Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- 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 50000 - 65000 £ 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] in London 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 to thrive while promoting a diverse and inclusive culture. Join us in our ambitious journey to expand our healthy eating brand across Scandinavia and the Nordics, where your contributions will directly impact our exciting growth trajectory.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land European Business Manager [Nordics] in London
✨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 relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching itsu and understanding their products. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in launching and scaling grocery products in new markets. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves commercial negotiations, think of scenarios where you can demonstrate your ability to strike deals and manage P&L effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence.
✨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 about joining our team at itsu!
We think you need these skills to ace European Business Manager [Nordics] in London
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 drive our growth 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’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 in the past. Highlight how you managed pricing and promotional strategies, and be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to itsu's unique offerings in the grocery sector.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Mindset
Think of a few challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. Itsu values a proactive approach, so be prepared to share logical solutions you've implemented in high-pressure situations.
✨Be a Team Player
Since this role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, come prepared to discuss how you've worked effectively within small teams. Share examples that showcase your flexibility and can-do attitude, which are essential for thriving in a fast-paced environment like itsu.
