📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Customer Marketing Central Europe
🔹 Company: SC Johnson
🔹 Location: Erkrath, Germany
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and coaching a team of 22 employees across 5 countries
- Developing and implementing growth strategies for Central Europe
- Managing P&L and budgets for each country and category
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive profitable growth
- Championing innovation and portfolio strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in a matrix-based organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and coach the customer marketing team to deliver business objectives and delight target consumers
✅ Develop comprehensive category and business growth strategies through annual plans
✅ Drive the P&L and manage budgets for each country and category, managing risks and opportunities
✅ Contribute to the S&OP process with insights and strategic direction about categories’ growth
✅ Champion the growth agenda, including product innovation, activation plans, and portfolio strategy
✅ Drive alignment between customer marketing, category management, and sales on category and channel strategies and plans
ASSUMPION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and influencing across various internal stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in economics or business related field
Experience: 10+ years of relevant business experience, with a strong focus on FMCG industry
Required Skills:
- Proven success in delivering growth in the FMCG industry
- Exceptional people leadership skills, with a track record of developing, building, and engaging effective teams
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, communication, and influencing in matrix-based organizations
- Excellent strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to handle multiple priorities
- Demonstrates resiliency and agility, readily adjusting plans in the face of obstacles or new ideas that add value
- Clear and demonstrated ability to translate consumer and brand insights into compelling, exciting, and sellable narratives
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in multiple European languages
- Experience working in Central Europe
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in customer marketing, category management, or sales within the FMCG industry are strongly encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €120,000 - €160,000 per year (AI-estimated, based on market research and experience level)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Domestic relocation assistance
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
Working Hours: Regular business hours, with flexibility for occasional remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: SC Johnson operates in the manufacturing sector, focusing on household cleaning products, home storage, air care, pest control, shoe care, and professional products.
Company Size: SC Johnson is a large, fifth-generation family-owned and led company with 13,000 employees and operations in 70 countries.
Founded: 1886, in Racine, Wisconsin, USA
Company Description:
- SC Johnson is a leading manufacturer of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control, shoe care, and professional products.
- The company's iconic brands include OFF!®, Raid®, Glade®, Windex®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Ziploc®, Mrs. Meyer’s® Clean Day, method®, Autan®, Baygon®, Mr Muscle®, Duck®, Lysoform®, and more.
- SC Johnson is committed to sustainability, transparency, and creating opportunities for its employees and communities worldwide.
Company Specialties:
- Chemical products
- Home cleaning
- Air care
- Fast-moving consumer goods
- Consumer packaged goods
- Pest control
- Home storage
- Shoe care
Company Website: www.scjohnson.com
ASSUMPTION: SC Johnson's commitment to sustainability and transparency is a significant aspect of its company culture and values.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the Central Europe Management Team.
Reporting Structure: The Director, Customer Marketing Central Europe will lead a team of 22 employees across 5 countries and collaborate with various internal stakeholders.
Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with occasional flexibility for remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the future of SC Johnson's categories and brands in Central Europe
- Opportunities to develop leadership skills and build a high-performing team
- Possibility to expand responsibilities and advance within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a lasting impact on SC Johnson's success in Central Europe.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: SC Johnson's office in Erkrath, Germany, is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork.
Office Location(s): 1525 Howe Street, Racine, WI, USA (Global Headquarters); Mettmanner Strasse 25, Erkrath, NW 40699, DE (Central Europe Office)
Geographic Context:
- Erkrath is located near Düsseldorf, the seventh-largest city in Germany, offering a vibrant cultural scene and excellent connectivity to major European hubs.
- The region is home to a thriving business ecosystem, with numerous multinational corporations and startups.
- Germany is the largest economy in Europe and a key market for SC Johnson's products.
Work Schedule: Regular business hours, with flexibility for occasional remote work
ASSUMPTION: The Erkrath office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment, with easy access to major transportation links and amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other team members
- Final round with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Leadership and team-building skills
- Communication and influencing abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with SC Johnson's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your past achievements in customer marketing, category management, or sales within the FMCG industry
- Research SC Johnson's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs
ATS Keywords: Customer Marketing, FMCG, Category Management, Sales, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, P&L Management, Budget Management, Risk Management, Activation Plans, Portfolio Strategy
ASSUMPTION: SC Johnson's application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for both the candidate and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, SAP CRM)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's area of focus and the team's needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Family-owned and led
- Sustainability and transparency
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Responsibility and accountability
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering growth
- Adaptable and resilient in the face of change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and are you comfortable managing multiple priorities?
- Are you an effective communicator and influencer, with the ability to build strong relationships across various teams and functions?
- Do you share SC Johnson's commitment to sustainability, transparency, and creating opportunities for employees and communities worldwide?
ASSUMPTION: SC Johnson's company culture is built on its family-owned heritage, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse team across multiple countries and time zones
- Navigating a matrix-based organization and influencing cross-functional stakeholders
- Adapting to the unique cultural nuances and business environments of Central European markets
- Balancing the need for strategic, long-term planning with the demands of day-to-day operations
ASSUMPTION: The challenges associated with this role can be overcome by a strong, strategic leader with excellent communication and influencing skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other marketing director roles, this position focuses specifically on customer marketing and has a strong emphasis on driving profitable growth through strategic planning and execution
- SC Johnson's family-owned heritage and commitment to sustainability set it apart from other multinational corporations in the FMCG industry
- This role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to shape the future of SC Johnson's categories and brands in Central Europe
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on customer marketing and offers a compelling opportunity for the right candidate to make a significant impact on SC Johnson's success in Central Europe.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive category growth strategy for a key brand in Central Europe
- Managing a cross-functional team to execute a successful product launch in a new market
- Conducting market research and analysis to identify growth opportunities and inform strategic decision-making
ASSUMPTION: The specific projects required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's area of focus and the team's priorities.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into SC Johnson's long-term growth strategy for Central Europe?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does SC Johnson support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the customer marketing team in Central Europe, and how can this role address them?
- How does SC Johnson's company culture and values translate into day-to-day work and decision-making?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to SC Johnson's success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your past achievements in customer marketing, category management, or sales within the FMCG industry
- Research SC Johnson's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs
- Follow up with the SC Johnson HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.