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 driven Sales Manager Europe to lead and scale its commercial activities across the European continent. This pivotal role carries full responsibility for expanding Nongshim’s footprint, strengthening retail and distributor partnerships, and accelerating sustainable revenue growth. Reporting directly to the Managing Director Europe, the Sales Manager will shape the commercial strategy, drive execution across multiple markets, and build the foundations of a future European sales structure.

This role requires a combination of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and proven experience with leading European retailers and distributors. It is a unique opportunity to drive the growth of a globally recognised brand in a fast-expanding region.

Key Responsibilities        

Strategic Sales Leadership

• Develop and execute a robust European sales strategy aligned with Nongshim’s growth targets for 2026 - 2030.
• Translate long-term ambitions into annual sales plans, revenue goals, & KPIs.
• Identify high-potential markets, channels, and customer segments to maximise regional penetration and sales velocity.

Market Expansion Across Europe

• Lead expansion into existing and new European markets, ensuring tailored go-to-market strategies for each region.
• Conduct market analysis to assess product-market fit, pricing structures, promotional requirements, and competitive positioning.
• Build a balanced portfolio across retail, wholesale, food service, ethnic channels, and online platforms.

Retailer & Distributor Management

• Strengthen, manage, and grow relationships with existing partners across Europe.
• Drive performance through joint business planning, forecasting, and business reviews.
• Secure new customers across multiple channels, including national retailers, wholesalers, and food-service players.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, promotional frameworks, and category strategies to drive sell-in and sell-through.

Sales Organisation & Process Development

• Contribute to the design of a scalable European sales organisation, including structure, roles, and regional coverage.
• Implement processes, tools, and reporting frameworks to enhance sales effectiveness.
• Work cross-functionally with marketing, supply chain, and finance to ensure alignment and operational excellence.

Commercial Excellence & Performance Monitoring

• Analyse sell-in/sell-out data, distributor performance, and retailer insights to optimise commercial decision-making.
• Track performance against KPIs and proactively adjust strategies to capture new revenue opportunities.
• Manage promotional budgets and channel incentives to maximise ROI.

Product & Portfolio Management

• Provide input on product portfolio needs for the European market, including flavours, packaging, sizing, and innovation.
• Support consumer communication initiatives and activation plans to strengthen brand visibility and pull-through.

Your Profile

Experience

• 5 to 8+ years of progressive sales experience in FMCG, ideally within food, ambient products, or Asian grocery categories.
• Proven track record supplying major European retailers, including Albert Heijn, Jumbo, REWE, EDEKA, Carrefour, and similar groups.
• Experience managing regional distributors, wholesalers, and food-service customers across multiple European countries.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, acquire, and onboard new retailers, distributors, and food-service partners.
• Strong background in commercial negotiations, category development, promotional planning, and revenue growth management.
• Experience in the Asian food sector or with Asian retail channels is considered a strong advantage.

Competencies & Skills

• Strategic commercial mindset with a hands-on approach to execution.
• Strong negotiation skills with buyers, category managers, and commercial directors.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities across cultures and business environments.
• Analytical thinker with experience using KPIs, data, and market insights to drive decisions.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work autonomously in a fast-growing organisation.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of additional European languages is a plus.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Management, or a related field.
• An MBA or similar postgraduate qualification is beneficial but not required.

Why Join?   

Becoming part of Nongshim means stepping into an exciting and forward-looking mission to shape the future of Asian food culture across Europe. In this role, you will be a key contributor to our European growth strategy, positioned at the heart of a significant expansion with real impact and high visibility. You’ll collaborate closely with an experienced, multicultural team and work directly alongside the Managing Director of Nongshim Europe, ensuring your ideas are valued and your contributions truly influence our direction.

We offer an attractive compensation package, including performance-based rewards and strong benefits. More importantly, we offer the opportunity to grow with us. Backed by a global brand and ambitious goals, this role provides a rare chance to accelerate your career and help write the next chapter of a leading international food company.

Application process       

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resume along with a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and motivation for the role. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until the position is successfully filled. Nongshim is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace for all.

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.