Freelance Country Manager Retail - Netherlands (All Genders)

Greenfield. From the ground up.

You'll build ahead's presence in the Netherlands – from the very first retail conversations through to scalable distribution.

Your mission: establish ahead in the Dutch retail market, build strong partnerships with key retailers, and create the structures that will enable our growth in the Netherlands.

You'll be navigating the concentrated, innovation-driven Dutch retail landscape with partners such as Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Dirk.

You'll report directly to the Sales Director (Hamburg) and work closely with Trade Marketing, Key Account Management and Category Management.

Retail & Key Account Development

• Build strategic relationships with key retail partners in the Netherlands (including Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Dirk, PLUS and ALDI & LIDL)

• Lead listing negotiations, annual trade discussions, commercial terms and distribution growth

• Build scalable retail partnerships from first contact through to long-term growth

• Develop and scale relevant retail and drugstore channels across the Dutch market

Market Development & Go-to-Market

• Analyze the Dutch retail landscape and develop a clear growth strategy for the Dutch market

• Define pricing strategy, assortment and channel strategy for the Netherlands

• Plan and execute local trade marketing activities in collaboration with the ahead team

• Conduct competitor monitoring, market analysis and regular business reporting

Partners, Field Sales & Scaling

• Identify, select and manage distribution partners, brokers and local partners

• Build a scalable field sales/merchandising structure (in-house or outsourced)

• Define relevant KPIs and ensure distribution, visibility and execution at point of sale

• Take ownership of demand planning and forecasting for the Netherlands

Business Ownership

• Take full ownership of business development in the Netherlands, including P&L

• Drive market performance and prioritize growth initiatives

• Collaborate closely with Marketing (local activations), Product, Operations and Sales

• Several years of experience in FMCG sales / key account management in the Netherlands

• Deep understanding of Dutch retail structures, buying processes and trade dynamics

• Experience building a market or a new category — ideally within a start-up or scale-up environment

• A strong network of buyers, category managers and key decision-makers in retail

• Confident negotiator with experience in listings, trading terms and annual negotiations

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on mentality

• High degree of initiative, ownership and results orientation

• Fluent in Dutch and English

• Experience in the better-for-you, health food or confectionery segment

• Familiarity with the drugstore/health channel (e.g. Kruidvat, Etos, DI, Newpharma)

• Experience with category management or shopper marketing

Working at ahead is more than just a job - it’s your opportunity to develop as a professional and as a person, while shaping the future of snacking. Our mission is to make low sugar the new standard, and we pour that ambition into every product we create. You’ll become part of a team where international talent, startup drive, real impact, and true ownership come together.

• Hypergrowth Environment: If you're looking for greenfield, creative freedom, and real impact, you're in the right place. We're a team that is scaling fast - with purpose
• Amazing Team: Young, international, ambitious - inspiring colleagues who collaborate, support each other, and genuinely enjoy working together
• Career Growth: Develop through cross-functional projects, structured feedback cycles, and a steep learning curve in a dynamic, high growth environment. We offer a fair, attractive salary with role-dependent bonus opportunities

For this role, you can work remotely from Netherlands. If this sounds like a good fit, we're excited to go ahead with you! ahead GmbH is an equal opportunity workplace and is devoted to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.