Head of Marketing

Head of Marketing (Food/FMCG)

Location :Remote (Germany-based); occasional travel to key accounts, agencies, and internal meetings as needed

Contract Type: Interim (6–12 months) with strong potential to convert to Permanent

Role Purpose

I am seeking an experienced and hands-on Head of Marketing to lead my clients brand and product marketing strategy in Germany.

This is a pivotal role for a candidate with a strong toolkit in food or FMCG marketing, including product and trade marketing, consumer feedback and testing, and proven success driving product push growth and increasing product presence in the German market.

Fluency in German and English is essential.

This role starts as an interim position with a clear pathway to a permanent leadership role for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

Brand & Marketing Strategy

Develop and execute the overall marketing and brand strategy for Germany, aligned with global brand guidelines and local market needsLead the positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategy for new and existing products in the German marketDrive product push growth initiatives to increase market share, distribution, and visibility across retail and e-commerce channels

Trade Marketing & Retail Execution

Lead a team of Trade Marketing managers and specialists to deliver best-in-class retail execution across key accountsDevelop and implement trade marketing plans, promotions, and activations for German supermarkets and key retail partnersBuild strong relationships with key buyers and category managers in German supermarkets (e.g., Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland)Ensure optimal shelf presence, planogram compliance, and in-store visibility for all products

Product Marketing & Innovation

Collaborate with R&D, Product Development, and Global Marketing teams to adapt products and packaging for the German marketLead product launches, relaunches, and innovation pipelines in GermanyConduct consumer feedback sessions, product tests, and market research to inform product development and marketing strategies

Consumer Insights & Market Research

Design and execute consumer feedback programs, product tests, and concept testing to validate new products and marketing campaignsAnalyse consumer trends, competitor activity, and market dynamics to identify growth opportunitiesTranslate consumer insights into actionable marketing strategies and campaigns

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Trade Marketing professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performanceSet clear goals, KPIs, and development plans for team membersCollaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Operations, and Global Marketing teams

Budget Management & Performance Tracking

Manage the marketing budget for Germany, ensuring optimal allocation of resources across brand, trade, and product marketing activitiesTrack and report on KPIs including sales growth, market share, distribution, ROI, and brand health metricsPrepare regular performance reports for senior leadership and stakeholders

Candidate Profile

Experience

Minimum 8–10 years of progressive marketing experience in the food or FMCG sector, with a strong focus on product and trade marketingProven track record of leading marketing strategies and driving product push growth in the German marketExtensive experience working with German supermarkets and key retail accounts (e.g., Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland) is a strong advantageExperience leading and developing a team of Trade Marketing professionalsStrong understanding of consumer insights, product testing, and market research methodologiesDemonstrated success in launching and growing products in the German FMCG market

Skills & Competencies

Exceptional strategic thinking and business acumenStrong leadership and team management skillsExcellent communication and presentation skills (written and verbal)Proficiency in marketing analytics, budget management, and performance trackingAbility to work independently and as part of a collaborative, cross-functional teamHigh level of organisational and time management skills

Languages

Fluent in German and English (written and spoken) is essentialAdditional European languages are a plus