Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑
Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.
With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.
We’re looking for a Global Head of Customer Marketing & Development to join our team in one of our sites in Europe.
Reporting to the President of Europe, the Head of Customer Marketing & Development owns the end-to-end customer brand experience: marketing, public relations, consumer insights, category management, trade-show activation and retailer collaboration. You will craft a compelling brand vision, translate it into commercially powerful initiatives with major customers, and champion best-in-class capabilities that unlock growth for both the company and our retail partners.
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
* Lead the development of a 3–5 year customer marketing strategy aligned with brand vision, category trends, and retail growth plans.
* Own and drive the Integrated Business Planning cycle for marketing, aligning forecasts with campaign and launch schedules.
* Design and manage Joint Business Plans with key retailers, establishing shared KPIs, co-funded marketing, and innovation goals.
* Establish and manage an Insights Hub combining POS, loyalty data, social listening, and agronomy inputs to guide strategy.
* Oversee category management by maintaining the Global Avocado Category Vision and implementing data-driven planograms.
* Champion omnichannel retailer initiatives, including e-commerce, Q-commerce, and retail media, to maximise shopper engagement.
* Lead end-to-end planning and execution of flagship events such as Fruit Logistica and key customer immersions with ROI tracking.
* Develop and implement digital marketing strategies, connecting media performance to in-store and online sales impact.
* Partner with R&D and Value Added teams to stage-gate innovation projects and explore new revenue opportunities through co-branding.
* Serve as company spokesperson for sustainability and nutrition; manage crisis communication and public relations readiness.
* Build and mentor a high-performing commercial marketing team, driving a culture of insights, innovation, and inclusion.
* Ensure robust financial governance through zero-based budgeting, ROI tracking, and scenario planning.
* Continuously refine premiumisation strategies and assortment to grow market share and deliver category value.
Requirements
* Bachelor’s degree or higher in a Marketing, Business, Economics or related field; MBA or master’s preferred.
* Extensive experience in senior marketing/category/shopper roles within FMCG, fresh produce or retail; demonstrable success working with top European grocery retailers.
* Must be willing to be based out of one of our European main sites, including Paris (FR), Munich (GE), Kent (UK), Poeldijk (NL).
* Frequent travel will be mandatory depending on business needs.
* Advanced consumer & shopper insight methodologies.
* Category management (e.g., Space & Assortment, Nielsen/IRI).
* PR & media relations, including crisis comms.
* Event marketing & trade‑show execution.
* Budget ownership and ROI modelling.
* Proficiency with syndicate data tools, Power BI/Tableau, digital marketing platforms.
* Strategic and commercially minded brand leader with a deep understanding of P&L levers, trade dynamics, and consumer-centric growth strategies.
* Influential communicator and data-driven storyteller, skilled in engaging senior stakeholders and translating insights into compelling, persuasive narratives.
* Adaptive and innovative team builder, passionate about mentoring talent, driving agile ways of working, and fostering continuous improvement.
Benefits
* Will depend on the country of residence and the overall package will be discussed during the application stage to ensure we align with mutual expectations.
We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.