Sales Manager Belux - Interim

Why we are here  
Tony’s Chocolonely is committed to ending exploitation in cocoa. We are an impact company that makes chocolate, not a chocolate company that makes impact. With incredibly tasty chocolate, we lead by example, demonstrating that ethical practices and success can go hand in hand. Through Tony's Open Chain (TOC), mission allies like Albert Heijn, Ben & Jerry's, Jokolade, and Aldi have embraced a fairer, more transparent supply chain for their chocolate too.  
  

What you will do  
As our Interim Sales Manager Belux, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the continuation of Tony's Chocolonely’s growth and impact in Belgium and Luxembourg during this transitional period. With the ambitious goal of doubling the business by 2027, your focus will be on maintaining and building key relationships with major retailers like Carrefour, Delhaize, and Colruyt to drive sustainable and profitable growth.

In this temporary role, your responsibilities will include managing ongoing commercial strategies, negotiating with large retailers and wholesalers, and ensuring a smooth introduction and positioning of new products. You’ll collaborate with internal teams in marketing, category management, and finance to execute promotional plans and support the regional strategy. Overseeing a direct report (sales support/key account manager OOH) and an external Field sales team of 5 (mission based, who did 2000 store visits last financial year), you’ll ensure the team remains effective and aligned during this interim phase.

Reporting to our Head of Sales Benelux, you will join a passionate team committed to expanding Tony’s presence in the Benelux & Beyond (B&B) market while staying true to our mission: creating a chocolate industry free from exploitation.

All wrapped up   

• Ensure the continuation of key initiatives while expanding and strengthening partnerships with major retailers, focusing on maintaining and growing distribution, visibility, and contribution margin during this transitional phase.

• Lead ongoing negotiations on pricing, assortment, and promotional strategies with key retailers and wholesalers, and ensuring alignment with the external Field Sales team for seamless execution and rollout.

• Align with internal teams (marketing and category management) to develop impactful marketing and activation plans. 

• Oversee one direct report (sales support/key account manager), providing guidance and coaching to maintain team performance and ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

• Contribute to strategic planning, including P&L management and creating business cases to drive decision-making. 

• Use data (internal and retail-specific) to support strategies, overcoming challenges with limited external retail data like Nielsen in Belgium. 

Our perfect New Edition  

• 6+ years of experience in senior commercial positions, ideally in FMCG, chocolate, or food industries. Ambitious to grow within Tony's Chocolonely.  

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to excel in sales and relationship management. 

• Demonstrated experience in negotiating with major clients such as buyers, procurement teams, and category managers. 

• A solid foundation in category management combined with a strong understanding of financials. 

• Preferably, experience at high-caliber companies or within smaller, entrepreneurial businesses. 

• Fluency in Dutch (Flemish) and French is essential. 

• Flexibility in work location: you’ll primarily work remotely, with access to a co-working space in Antwerpen, and are open to traveling when necessary. 

• Raise the bar. Challenge yourself and team Tony’s to increase our ambition and to accomplish our mission. Make mistakes along the way and learn from them.  

• Believe wholeheartedly in Tony’s mission. You live our core values: outspoken, willful, entrepreneurial and makes you smile.  

Your sweetest next assignment (Freelancing at Tony’s)  

We’re looking for a skilled freelancer available immediately for 32 hours per week, with a preferred start in January (if this is not possible, we can discuss alternative options). The assignment will last 4-6 months and will end after the hire of a permanent Sales Manager Belux. You'll be working remotely from Antwerp/Belgium, with occasional visits to our Amsterdam HQ (1-2 days every two weeks). While freelancers don’t receive the same benefits as our employees, joining Tony’s Chocolonely means contributing to something extraordinary—making a real impact in the world while helping us achieve our mission. Join the choco-revolution!

Sounds like you?  

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? Look no further! If you're ready to take the chocolate industry to new heights with us, we'd love to hear from you! Please send your direct application, no agencies. We can't wait to hear from you!  

Everybody is welcome to apply. From classics to limited editions, we know that different flavors make life more inspiring. And not just in our chocolate assortment. At Tony’s, we welcome everyone with equal enthusiasm – regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or veteran status. Crazy about chocolate, serious about people.