Country Manager (Serbia)

The HeadHunter Group is an innovative Staffing and Recruiting Company with HQ in US, Dover, Delaware, operating in Canada, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Cyprus, Greece, and Bulgaria. We offer the newest mentality in Staffing industry and our core business are Candidates and Clients.

Are you an experienced leader in the FMCG industry with a passion for driving growth and achieving excellence?

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Country Manager to lead our clients' operations in Serbia-Belgrade.

Our client is looking for a seasoned Country Manager to spearhead their operations in Serbia, with a strong focus on the FMCG and Beverage sectors. 

This is a high-impact role, where you will be fully accountable for driving business success, leading a dynamic team, and achieving ambitious growth targets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Take charge of the Serbian operations, setting clear targets for revenue, sales volumes, and distribution. Develop and execute strategic plans to drive business growth, ensuring alignment with overall company objectives.
• Sales & Distribution Management: Lead the sales team in implementing effective sales, distribution, and merchandising strategies. Optimize the sales and distribution system to meet both quantitative and qualitative objectives, while ensuring cost efficiency.
• Trade Marketing: Collaborate closely with the Brand/Marketing team to develop and implement trade marketing strategies that resonate with the local market. Oversee the execution of marketing events, sponsorship's, and other promotional activities to enhance brand visibility and market penetration.
• Market Analysis & Reporting: Conduct thorough market analyses, including customer segmentation, competitor analysis, and trend forecasting. Provide actionable insights to guide decision-making and ensure the company remains competitive. Generate and manage monthly/quarterly forecasts, contributing to the annual volume forecast for production/imports.
• Sub-distributors & Client Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with sub-distributors, contractors, and key clients. Lead negotiations, manage contracts, and ensure all agreements are mutually beneficial and aligned with the company's goals. Take necessary actions to improve the performance of sub-distributors and ensure optimal service delivery.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all operations comply with local legislation and company policies. Monitor and report changes in market regulations, and advise on legal aspects of business operations. Lead the representation of the company during inspections by state institutions.
• Team Development: Manage, mentor, and motivate the team to achieve their full potential. Oversee the recruitment process, set performance objectives (KPIs), and ensure continuous professional development. Foster a positive and productive work environment that reflects the company's values.

Qualifications:

• Experience: A minimum of 10 years in the FMCG and Beverage industry, with at least 5 years in a senior management role. Proven experience in leading teams, driving sales, and implementing successful trade marketing strategies.
• Education: Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Finance, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications in sales and management are a plus.
• Skills: Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and lead a diverse team. Excellent strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with sales systems and analytical tools.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Ability to effectively communicate with internal teams, sub-distributors, clients, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Attributes: Results-oriented, persuasive, and customer-focused. Strong ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Why Join our client team?

This is a unique opportunity to lead a key market for a rapidly growing company in the FMCG and Beverage industry. As Country Manager, you'll have the autonomy to shape the future of the business in Serbia, drive significant growth, and make a lasting impact. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for leadership and business development, we invite you to apply and join our client dynamic team.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

Our client offers equal opportunity for everyone, and no person shall be discriminated against on the grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, ethnic background, race, skin color, religion or ideology, political persuasion, social background or marital status.