About our client

Nongshim Co., Ltd., established in 1965, is a leading South Korean food and beverage company renowned for its high-quality instant noodles, snacks, and beverages. As the largest instant noodles and snack company in South Korea, Nongshim operates in over 100 countries with 12 manufacturing facilities worldwide. The company's flagship product, Shin Ramyun, has garnered a global following, contributing significantly to its international success.

Position overview

Nongshim is seeking an experienced and dynamic Account Manager to spearhead its expansion efforts across Europe. This pivotal role is designed to establish and enhance Nongshim's market presence, drive substantial revenue growth, and build robust relationships with distributors and retailers throughout the European continent. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in achieving Nongshim's ambitious goal of quadrupling European sales by 2030. This role reports directly to the Managing Director of Nongshim Europe.

Key Responsibilities        

• Strategic Sales Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies tailored to various European markets, aiming to achieve significant revenue targets by 2026 and beyond.​
• Market Expansion: Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities to expand Nongshim's footprint across approximately 20 European countries, focusing on both emerging and established markets.​
• Distributor and Retailer Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with existing distributors and retailers, while identifying and onboarding new partners to optimize the distribution network.​
• Resource Allocation: Assess and determine the necessary resources, including product portfolio adjustments, consumer communication strategies, promotional activities, and channel incentives, to meet mid-term sales objectives.​
• Sales Organization Development: Design and implement an efficient sales organization structure, including workforce planning and regional assignments, to effectively cover the targeted European markets.​
• Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor sales performance, market penetration, and the effectiveness of sales strategies, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.

Your Profile

• Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of progressive sales experience within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, with a strong emphasis on the European market.​
• Market Knowledge: In-depth understanding of European sales channels, market dynamics, and cultural nuances affecting consumer behavior.​
• Strategic Acumen: Proven ability to develop and execute strategic sales plans that drive substantial revenue growth and market expansion.​
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated experience in building and leading high-performing sales teams across multiple regions.​
• Communication Skills: Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with fluency in English; proficiency in additional European languages is advantageous.​
• Adaptability: Ability to navigate a rapidly evolving market landscape and adapt strategies to meet changing business needs.​

Preferred Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field; MBA or equivalent is a plus.​
• Industry Expertise: Experience in the food and beverage sector, particularly with instant noodles or similar product categories.​
• Cultural Competence: Familiarity with Korean business culture and practices is beneficial.

Why Join?   

Joining Nongshim means becoming part of an ambitious journey to shape the future of Asian food culture in Europe. As a key player in our European growth strategy, you'll be at the forefront of a major expansion initiative with direct impact and visibility. You'll work side by side with a diverse and experienced international team, including close collaboration with the Managing Director of Nongshim Europe, ensuring your voice is heard and your ideas matter. We offer an attractive compensation package with performance-based rewards and solid benefits, but more than that, we offer the chance to grow with us. With our global reputation and strong ambitions, this is a unique opportunity to accelerate your career and contribute to the success story of a leading international food brand.

Application process       

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and motivation for applying. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Nongshim is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Wouter Ordelman
M +31 6 502 11 802
wouter@semare.com

*Please note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not exhaustive. Responsibilities and qualifications may evolve based on business needs.