Freelance Country Manager Retail - Netherlands & Belgium (All Genders)

YOU & AHEAD

Greenfield. From the ground up.

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

Your mission: establish ahead in the Benelux trade, build strong partnerships with key retailers, and create the structures that will enable our growth across the region.

You'll be navigating two distinct retail landscapes: the concentrated, innovation-driven Dutch market with partners such as Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Dirk, and the multilingual Belgian market with players like Colruyt, Delhaize and Carrefour Belgium.

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

YOUR TASKS

Retail & Key Account Development

• Build and develop strategic relationships with key retail partners in the Netherlands and Belgium (including Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Colruyt, Delhaize, Carrefour Belgium, ALDI/LIDL Benelux)

• 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 Benelux markets

Market Development & Go-to-Market

• Analyze the Benelux retail landscape and develop a clear growth strategy for both markets

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

• 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 Benelux

Business Ownership

• Take full ownership of Benelux business development, including P&L

• Drive market performance and prioritize growth initiatives

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

YOUR PROFILE

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

• Deep understanding of Benelux 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; French is a plus for the Belgian market

WHAT MAKES YOUR PROFILE COMPLETE

• 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

AND WHY AHEAD?

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
• Great Benefits: Fuel yourself with ahead snacks, drinks, and merch - we’ve got you covered. On top: a €50 monthly allowance to spend as you like - Urban Sports Club, mobility options, or vouchers from your favorite brands (IKEA, MediaMarkt, Lego and more)
• Vacation Days: Enjoy 28 vacation days plus two extra days off on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
• Events & Offsites:  Regular after-work hangouts and legendary annual team offsites you won’t forget

For this role, you can work remotely from Netherlands or Belgium. If this sounds like a good fit, we're excited to go ahead with you!

Disclaimer

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.

About us

At ahead, we’re building the snack brand for a new generation – one that loves chocolate, cookies & gummies, but doesn’t love what sugar does to their bodies.
We use cutting-edge food tech to reinvent childhood favorites: no added sugar, no empty carbs – just full taste, better ingredients, and zero compromise.
The result? Everyday indulgence that actually fits your lifestyle.
Let’s make low-sugar the new normal. And fun again.
We’re growing fast, expanding across Europe, and looking for smart, driven, curious minds to join us.
If you’re ready to change how millions of people snack – for good – we’d love to meet you.