Director, Country Manager France

SC JOHNSON IS A FIFTH-GENERATION FAMILY COMPANY BUILT ON THE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE. We have been leading with purpose for over 130 years, building iconic brands that win the hearts and minds of consumers – such as Raid®, Glade®, Ziploc® and more, in virtually every country around the world. Together, we are creating a better future – for the planet, for future generations and for every SCJ team member. Join our winning team of Wave Makers and Go Getters and help us write the next chapter in the SCJ story.

Director, Country Manager France

Location : Asnières-sur-Seine

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a key member of the Country Group Leadership Team, helping set the future direction and strategies of the Country Group. Attend and contribute to share the market place trend and knowledge at group and cluster level.

• Engineer the sales strategy for France:

  • Provide clear guidelines and plans to be executed to the Sale Force team

  • Support and coach the Core Business and New Business team during the negotiation with distributors

  • Coach the Sales Strategy team and bring expertise to propose the best category management plan

  • Work closely with Customer Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance to find any business opportunities for growth

• Negotiate directly with customers when needed; Sign-off contract when negotiation is ended

• Take appropriate actions for the benefit, respect of the law and sake of the business

• Coach and lead the Sales team. Give the strategically input and vision. Challenge the objectives set by the manager. Monitor the activity referring to KPI, Key milestones and results achievements.

• Ensure a good and strong relationship between sales and any stakeholders involved in the sales achievements.

• Align and adapt the global and regional strategy to the French market. Ensure a good and strong coordination with the European stakeholders. Represent France when involved in workshops.

• Work with the Country Group Manager Western Europe and the European Sales Team in building world class commercial capabilities across the Region.

• Play a key leadership role in respect of major regional accounts, ensuring growth opportunities are both identified and maximised.

• Lead strategic planning, budget preparation and sales forecasting.

• Define and execute the pricing strategy through all major accounts.

• Ensure that the right range at the right price exists for each of the trade channels. Become a valued category expert for key customers. Monitor competitor activity and ensure plans position the company to lead the category and provide a differentiated competitive offering.

• Leverage market and category knowledge to create mutually beneficial trading plans with key customers. Utilise data to demonstrate a position of category authority.

• Provide guidance, mentoring and motivation to the broader sales team and act as a true ambassador for the organisation in working with major customers and other key stakeholders

DESIRED SKILL REQUIREMENTS/COMPETENCIES / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor or Masters Degree in a relevant discipline.

• Must demonstrate a compelling blend of strategic and operational skills. Able to operate successfully at all levels with major impact, stature and gravitas.

• The proven ability to deliver a sales strategy and can demonstrate commercial success in mature as well as growth markets.

• An experienced Sales Director from a consumer products business ideally equipped with multi-market / pan-regional experience. Will be comfortable working cross functionally and taking a meaningful role in driving the business strategy.

• Has developed managed and motivated high-performing sales team and demonstrates the willingness to lead from the front.

• Demonstrates depth of understanding of retail and emerging channels across their region.

• Proven track record of brand category management. Exhibits best-in-class knowledge of consumer insight and alternative routes to market, ideally in both mature and emerging markets.

• Brings experience of operating effectively within a matrixed management structure and with high levels of autonomy/accountability.

• An international executive with experience of working across several geographies is preferred.

• Possesses credibility, integrity and the ability to influence at all organisational levels; experienced in developing and leading cross-functional, cross-regional and multi-site teams and practising remote virtual management.

Strategic and conceptual thinking

Communicates a compelling picture of how the company and the industry will evolve that clearly ties today’s initiatives to longer-term strategies and values. Demonstrates the ability to think deeply, strategically and quantitatively about business problems, breaking down difficulties and presenting solutions while evaluating the pros and cons of each option.

Relationship building

Forms networks of positive business relationships that enhance personal and business success. Shows ability to facilitate networking for the key players across the organisation.

Organisational Buy-in

Develops and leads well-aligned strategies that win commitment for key initiatives, inside and outside the company. Demonstrates highest level of ability to persuade individuals and groups. Builds support systematically and at multiple levels, not overlooking any stakeholders.

Team Leadership

Has the ability to build teams and foster teamwork and enjoys working with diverse people and styles. Proactively manages conflicts to positive resolution and leads by example, energising others on effective collaboration – someone who is at the front, visiting and motivating staff in the markets as well as supporting customer activities.

Driving Results

Manages effectively and translates challenging business goals into well-defined performance plans for his/her department with clear responsibilities to ensure results. Engages the organization in tracking performance metrics and helps design and manage performance management processes that deliver results exceeding expectations.

Personal Characteristics

• A strong personality and inspiring leader who gains credibility through a combination of natural and functional authority; non-bureaucratic attitude, good listener and people-oriented individual.

• Flexible, adaptable, open and feeling at home in an international and multicultural environment (ideally having worked and lived in different countries).

• Curious-minded and a quick learner, someone who constantly challenges the status quo and thinks out-of-the box.

• Positive attitude when facing adversity and possessing the required perseverance and persistence.

• Proactive, decisive and entrepreneurial operating style.

• Energetic with a lot of passion and drive.

• Self-confident with a “can do” attitude, growth oriented but has ego in check.

• Respects, values and welcomes diversity with people and has a clear global perspective.

• Shows strong commitment and the highest level of integrity.

Inclusion & Diversity 

We’re a global business with a diverse workforce. We recognize the breadth of human experience, and we work to celebrate it. It is our goal to build a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment where all people can thrive.  

We believe Inclusion and Diversity is more than a program. We embed inclusive practices in our day-to-day work, the way we relate to our colleagues, collaborate and make decisions.