VP, Commercial Strategy & Transformation
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
The VP, Commercial Strategy & Transformation leads the Commercial Growth engine for International Markets. This role integrates Channel Strategy, Digital Commerce & Media, Revenue Growth Management, and Commercial Transformation into one unified organization. The mission is clear: define the HOW of commercial growth - and ensure markets grow better, not just bigger. Markets own the DO: execution, activation, customer engagement, and P&L delivery. This role defines the frameworks, guardrails, tools, and performance discipline that enable markets to win - by archetype and by priority market.
Strategic Accountability This role operationalizes the International Markets growth model:
- Penetration-first growth
- HERO SKU focus
- Distribution as the moat
- RTM simplification
- Margin expansion (+2 pts margin, -2 GTN)
- Growth channel acceleration (TT, Discounters, eCommerce, Pharma)
- Archetype-based deployment
- Priority markets focus within each archetype
Core Responsibilities
- Architect the Commercial Growth Model
- Translate corporate strategy into archetype-based commercial playbooks.
- Define clear growth priorities for Anchor & Build, Defend & Optimize, White Space, and Turnaround markets.
- Ensure priority markets receive focused enablement and acceleration.
- Maintain alignment between portfolio, channel, pricing, and digital strategy.
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Lead the Four Commercial Pillars A. Channel & Route-to-Market Strategy: Channel architecture, Distributor models & governance, Commercial policy guardrails, RTM simplification B. Digital Commerce & Media: Digital shelf excellence, Retail media effectiveness, Marketplace P&L discipline, Content acceleration C. Revenue Growth Management: Pricing philosophy & corridors, GTN governance, Grey goods prevention logic, Analytics-driven profitability, Mix optimization D. Commercial Transformation & Performance: KPI architecture aligned to archetypes, Sales incentive alignment, Capability model by market maturity, Governance cadence and performance visibility. Ensure these four pillars operate as one integrated growth system - not separate silos.
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Drive Profitable Growth Discipline
- Ensure growth translates into margin improvement.
- Embed GTN control and trade discipline.
- Reduce portfolio complexity.
- Align incentives with penetration and margin logic.
- Protect pricing power while expanding access.
- Focus on Priority Markets
- Identify and oversee acceleration plans in key markets per archetype.
- Ensure resource allocation matches strategic intent.
- Lead structured commercial reviews of priority markets.
- Intervene where performance deviates structurally.
- Simplify the Operating Model
- Eliminate duplication between global and markets.
- Clarify DO vs HOW ownership.
- Reduce reporting complexity.
- Accelerate decision-making.
- Build a scalable commercial governance framework.
- Executive Influence & Alignment
- Serve as primary commercial partner to International GMs.
- Align with Finance on margin architecture and profitability tracking.
- Partner with Strategy, Legal, HR, and IT.
- Present commercial performance insights to ExCom.
Success Metrics This role is measured on system impact - not isolated functional KPIs. Growth Quality
- Penetration increase in priority markets/HERO SKU distribution expansion/Mix accretion
Margin Discipline
- +2 pts margin improvement/ -2 GTN reduction/ Price realization vs corridor
Simplicity
- Portfolio rationalization/Reduction in reporting complexity/Clear DO vs HOW accountability
Adoption
- % markets using archetype-based playbooks
- Incentive alignment to strategy
- Capability maturity improvement
Requirements
- 15+ years commercial leadership experience
- Strong background across multi-market FMCG environments
- Deep understanding of RTM, pricing, trade investment, and digital commerce
- Proven transformation leadership experience
- Experience working across developed and developing markets
- Strong financial acumen and margin mindset
Leadership Capabilities
- Systems thinker (integrates Channel, Digital, RGM, Performance)
- Balances global discipline with local pragmatism
- High executive presence
- Courage to challenge markets constructively
- Drives simplification without losing rigor
- Builds strong, integrated leadership team