BRAND MANAGER BENELUX – SUNSTAR

SUNSTAR is a leading Japanese family‑owned business founded in 1932 with a special commitment to mouth and body health. SUNSTAR’s holistic convictions are rooted in the heartfelt experiences of its founding family. Today it offers products and services to customers in more than 90 countries around the world. The consumer business division has an oral care footprint across toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, interdentals and dental treatment that spans the globe under the GUM consumer brand. SUNSTAR pioneered research on the connection between oral and systemic health, casting a light on this crucial relationship. It was also the foundation for SUNSTAR’s mission ‘Help people everywhere lead better, healthier lives’ based on the true conviction that a healthy body starts with a healthy mouth and their goal is to elevate oral care routines into mindful health rituals.

In the Benelux, SUNSTAR is operating in the oral care business with the brands G.U.M and the local brand O7 Active. Products are sold via a multichannel strategy in drug, pharma, food retail and online. Medical endorsement via dental professionals is an important driver for success. The organization is currently in a transformation phase to achieve its global ambition of relentlessly grow GUM Brand across Europe. Marketing – both for dental professionals and consumers – is done locally with a strong support of the HQ based in Switzerland. The local is based in Naarden.

Currently we are looking for a:

BRAND MANAGER BENELUX

We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic and proactive Brand Manager to join our Benelux Marketing team. He/She will become part of a small, close‑knit team and report to Renske Sprakel (Marketing Manager Benelux). He/she will support in creating and executing the best marketing campaigns and customer plans to further drive our brands in retail and dental channel (B2C and B2B).

• Execution of local go‑to‑market strategies, brand plans, and support programs to market share objectives are achieved;
• Product portfolio management (new launches and/or re‑launches volume estimation based on reference products and in close consultation with sales B2B/B2C, one pagers with all relevant info for sales teams, support plan and market performance evaluation) artworks translations and approvals, registrations with relevant local authorities, first point of contact with regards to product information, sharing regular updates with local team and providing product info training dental sales reps;
• Adaptation of international campaigns for the Dutch and Belgian market, planning & implementing shopper activation programs, in‑store activations and product sampling;
• Creation and/or adaptation of POS materials (shelf banners, displays, wobblers), product brochures, flyers and other promotional materials;
• Supporting the Sales team with engaging trade stories, product information and trainings, promotional materials;
• Regular monitoring of brands’ performance in the market and competition assessments (NielsenIQ);
• Close collaboration with the local marketing team (1 Digital Marketer), Sales team (retail + dental) as well as with the EMEA Headquarter marketing team in Switzerland.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor or Masters Degree, preferably in Marketing;
• Relevant marketing experience, preferably in FMCG / multinational environment;
• Trade marketing experience is a plus, as well as managing Personal Care/Health Care brands;
• Knowledge of Nielsen is a plus.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES

• Independent, hands‑on and results oriented;
• High level skills in planning and analysis are needed: business‑to‑objective mindset;
• Proactive and strong hands‑on mentality;
• Organized and methodical approach;
• Fluent in Dutch and English, written and spoken;
• Willing to travel to HQ 1‑2 times a year.