Our client is a founder-led private equity and growth advisory investment platform based in Budapest, investing in Hungarian businesses with strong growth potential and actively supporting its portfolio companies in areas including sales, commercial strategy and business development. Their portfolio and active investment pipeline include several Hungarian food manufacturers with significant growth opportunities through strengthening their domestic retail presence and developing their commercial operations. To support this growth, they are looking for an experienced professional who can not only develop the strategy, but also takes a hands-on role in its execution, as an:
Interim Distribution Advisor – Food Industry
You could be a strong fit if you:
- Have at least 10 years of commercial experience in FMCG / the food industry
- Have held a senior commercial role on the manufacturer/supplier side, or worked as a Buyer / Category Manager on the retail side
- Have an active, well-established network of personal relationships with buyers at major Hungarian retail chains
- Have a strong understanding of modern trade, including listing and negotiation processes and commercial terms and conditions
- Are able to independently develop and execute channel and distribution strategies
- Are not only a strategic advisor, but also take a hands-on approach to negotiations, relationship building and closing business opportunities
- Work effectively and independently in less structured environments and across multiple projects simultaneously
- Have business-fluent English
It would be an additional advantage if you:
- Have export and international distribution experience, particularly in CEE markets
- Have experience with HORECA or wholesale channels
- Have previously worked in an interim, advisory or project-based capacity
If this sounds like you, we would be pleased to hear from you!
Your responsibilities will include:
- Assessing the commercial and distribution position of portfolio companies
- Developing channel and distribution strategies and identifying commercial opportunities and priorities
- Strengthening and expanding existing domestic retail presence
- Improving commercial terms and supporting and leading annual negotiations
- Developing trade, promotional and display strategies
- Actively negotiating and maintaining relationships with buyers at major retail chains
- Identifying export and international distribution opportunities, as well as sourcing and managing distributors
- Structuring commercial operations and delivering tangible business results
What the opportunity offers:
- A project-based interim engagement, with potential for longer-term collaboration
- Individual mandates typically lasting 3–6 months, with approximately 2–3 portfolio companies expected to be covered simultaneously
- Flexible commitment, typically 2–3 days per week
- The engagement does not exclude taking on other professional assignments in parallel
- A combination of a fixed fee and performance-based success fee
- A diverse range of projects where your expertise can have a direct and measurable impact on business results
- The first project can start immediately