Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people's lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all - a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.
As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values we pride ourselves to be listed among the World's Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do - acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.
Who we are:
Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 18 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.
In the region Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) Kao focuses on premium beauty brands across three distinct sectors: Kao Salon Division, Consumer Case Business and our London based boutique brand Molton Brown.
The Role
In this role you will be responsible for management of 6-7 distributors and ca. 15 markets within the EMEA region (focus on European countries). You will have full P&L responsibility for your countries in charge. This role will be ideal for an individual with a background in Sales, Marketing or International Business Management in FMCG company or distributor based role. If you are seeking a genuinely commercial and broad role where you can expand and enhance on your financial, sales, marketing and international business management skills as well as current levels of influence, strategy and autonomy this role could be the perfect next step in your career.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position (until 31st March 2026) based in a Kao office either in Kao Germany / Darmstadt, Kao UK / London, or Kao Benelux/Amersfoort with hybrid, remote working possibilities.
What you will do:

• Develop and deliver Net Sales and Business Profit of Distributor Business in charge for.
• Develop joint annual business plans and trade marketing plans in close collaboration with distributors.
• Monitor and analyze in-market sales as well as sales to distributor and take necessary action to realize budget.
• Build strong relationship and negotiate with distributors, motivate and stimulate distributors to deliver sales and profit targets.
• Develop Commercial Strategy and Marketing Activity Plan for countries in charge.
• Constantly monitor and ensure that brands are presented in line with brand equity and with agreed Marketing activation plans.
• Ensure all relevant information, reports and purchase forecasts are delivered by distributors.
• Coordinate demand planning and registration process between distributor and internal Kao functions.
• Manage financials (budgeting / forecasting / PNL management) for countries in charge and coordinate operational business (forecasting, order and payment process)
• Analyze market data to assess opportunities in existing and new markets, develop Go-to-market strategy and liaise with all stakeholders.
• Work on additional strategic initiatives and commercial propositions to develop and grow the Kao Brands in the area.

What you will need:

• University degree in BA, with minimum of 4-5 years in Distributor Management, Business Management and / or in Sales, preferably in FMCG.
• Strong commercial & negotiation skills with knowledge of marketing and brand building, passion for beauty brands.
• Complete understanding of P&L’s and good business sense and acumen.
• Market knowledge beauty category, health and beauty channel / retailer landscape and European markets.
• International minded and cultural sensitivity as well as good communication and social/leadership skills
• Team player, influencing skills, knowing how to motivate people of various disciplines
• Analytical and strategic thinker
• Self-motivated, passionate and with pro-active attitude strongly striving to achieve successes.
• Systematic way of working, ideally with experience in project management
• Fluent in English (written/verbal).
• Willingness to travel

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 18 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community. Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/