International Commercial Strategy Lead (gn) - ESN in England
International Commercial Strategy Lead (gn) - ESN

International Commercial Strategy Lead (gn) - ESN in England

England Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The Quality Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead international commercial strategies and adapt market-specific plans for ESN's growth.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at The Quality Group, a leader in sports nutrition.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, remote work, and 50% discounts on products.
  • Other info: Diverse culture with opportunities for professional growth and exciting career paths.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in expanding markets while working with a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in key account management and trade marketing, ideally in sports nutrition.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Overview

Start: Immediately | Level: Intermediate/Senior | Location: Netherlands, UK or Germany, remote | Type: Full-time (40h/week)

ESN is expanding its B2B footprint across Europe. This role bridges the gap between brand and commerce — translating ESN's German go-to-market playbook into market-specific strategies that give our international sales teams a clear brief: where to play, how to win, and what to bring. Reporting into the Head of International for ESN, you'll own the commercial framework for new markets including Switzerland, France, Italy, and the UK, working in close partnership with local sales leads and the brand team in Germany. This role requires flexibility to travel between the international markets of ESN within Europe and regular visits (around 1-2x times/month) in the Headquarter in Hamburg, Germany.

Your mission

  • You define market entry strategies by deciding where ESN wins in each market—across channels, key accounts, and categories—while adapting the German playbook to local dynamics.
  • You curate the A-assortment by building and maintaining a focused, high-impact product portfolio that balances hero SKUs with local market and retailer needs.
  • You set promotional guardrails by defining pricing, promotion depth, and trade investment to protect brand equity while enabling commercial success.
  • You develop in-store activation playbooks by creating scalable, channel-specific toolkits that sales teams can execute easily across markets.
  • You enable sales teams by translating strategy into clear, actionable materials such as sell-in decks, assortment rationale, and promotional frameworks.
  • You track and drive performance by defining relevant KPIs (e.g. distribution, sell-through, promo ROI) and establishing a clear review cadence across markets.
  • You ensure brand alignment with Germany by acting as the key interface between the core DE team and international markets—translating strategy without reinventing it.

Your Experience & Skills

  • You bring 8+ years of experience across key account management, category management, and trade marketing—ideally within sports nutrition, FMCG, or consumer health.
  • You have strong KAM expertise with full ownership of major retail or wholesale accounts, including JBP negotiations and end-to-end trade term management.
  • You master category management tools such as range reviews, planogram development, shopper insights, and space-to-sales optimization.
  • You bring deep trade marketing experience across activation planning, promotional architecture, sell-in materials, and in-store execution.
  • You have worked across multiple European markets and understand how to adapt strategies beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • You are fluent in English, with German or another European language as a strong plus.

You’ll thrive if

  • Think like a GM, not just a marketer — you care about sell-through as much as brand fit.
  • Can simplify complex brand strategy into tools a sales rep can use in a buyer meeting.
  • Are energised by ambiguity and enjoy building structure where there isn’t any yet.
  • Have enough commercial edge to push back on promotions that destroy value.
  • Are genuinely curious about the sports nutrition category and how it varies market to market.

Why choose us?

Being part of our team means joining a high-performing company with a diverse and inclusive culture. In our fast-growing team of over 1,200 employees, we combine our passion for sports nutrition, supplements, and healthy foods with cutting-edge technology, production, and logistics processes. All of this serves one goal: providing our customers with top-quality products to support their healthy and active lifestyle. You can look forward to a strong sense of team spirit, ongoing opportunities for professional growth and responsibility, and an exciting work environment that blends lifestyle and career.

With locations in Hamburg, Elmshorn, Kaltenkirchen/Nützen, and Elsdorf, TQG offers diverse career opportunities in areas such as technology, product development, sales, marketing, and logistics. Additionally, you’ll benefit from:

  • Flexible working hours and remote work options.
  • Attractive employee discounts (50% discount on our products).
  • Subsidy for the E-gym Wellpass (Classpass in NL & UK).
  • Workation.
  • Corporate benefits (only in Germany).
  • 28 days vacation/year and much more.

Benefits may vary depending on the location.

About Us

The Quality Group (TQG) is an innovative provider of sports nutrition products, bringing together the successful brands ESN and More Nutrition since 2021. ESN has been the German market leader in sports nutrition since 2004, offering products like protein powders, bars, and supplements designed for ambitious fitness goals. Founded in 2017, More Nutrition focuses on healthy, reduced-sugar foods, providing solutions for conscious nutrition and weight management without compromise. TQG’s vision is to help people become the best version of themselves. With passion and innovation, the company develops high-quality products that promote health, performance, and joy in life. Its agile company culture and exciting career opportunities make TQG a strong partner not only for customers but also for employees.

This is us – The Quality Group – nice to meet you! Now it’s your turn! We look forward to your application! Regardless of gender, age, background, or identity – what matters to us is who you are and what you bring to the table. Join our team and grow with us!

International Commercial Strategy Lead (gn) - ESN in England employer: The Quality Group

At The Quality Group (TQG), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With flexible working hours, remote options, and attractive employee benefits such as significant discounts on our products and wellness subsidies, we empower our team to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in our mission to promote health and performance while enjoying a dynamic environment that blends lifestyle with career advancement across multiple European markets.
The Quality Group

Contact Detail:

The Quality Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land International Commercial Strategy Lead (gn) - ESN in England

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in international markets.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can help ESN expand its B2B footprint. Highlight your past successes in similar roles to make a strong impression.

✨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.

We think you need these skills to ace International Commercial Strategy Lead (gn) - ESN in England

Key Account Management (KAM)
Category Management
Trade Marketing
Market Entry Strategy
Promotional Architecture
Sales Enablement
Performance Tracking
KPI Definition
Product Portfolio Management
In-Store Execution
Fluency in English
Adaptability to Local Markets
Negotiation Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the International Commercial Strategy Lead role. Highlight your experience in key account management and category management, especially within sports nutrition or FMCG, to show us you’re the perfect fit!

Showcase Your Market Knowledge: We want to see that you understand the European markets! Share examples of how you've adapted strategies for different regions and how you’ve successfully navigated market entry challenges in the past.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your achievements and skills at a glance. We love a well-structured application!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Quality Group

✨Know the Market Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into the sports nutrition market across Europe. Understand the key players, trends, and consumer behaviours in each country ESN is targeting. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your ability to adapt strategies to local dynamics.

✨Showcase Your KAM Expertise

Be ready to discuss your experience with key account management. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated JBP agreements or managed trade terms. Highlight your understanding of how these skills can directly benefit ESN's expansion efforts.

✨Simplify Complex Strategies

Think about how you can break down ESN's German go-to-market playbook into actionable insights for sales teams. Bring examples of how you've done this in the past, as it shows your ability to translate strategy into practical tools that drive results.

✨Prepare for Ambiguity

Since the role involves navigating new markets, be prepared to discuss how you've thrived in ambiguous situations before. Share stories where you've built structure from chaos, showcasing your adaptability and problem-solving skills.

International Commercial Strategy Lead (gn) - ESN in England
The Quality Group
Location: England

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