Country Manager

Work Environment: Hybrid, travel will be a natural part of the role

Reports To: Senior Vice President

Treat Yourself, Work With Us

Ever wondered what it’s like to work for Northern Europe’s leading confectionery company?

At Cloetta, we don’t just make candy – we create moments of joy that reach millions of people in more than 60 markets around the world.

You may recognize us by our brand names: The Jelly Bean Factory, Red Band, Läkerol, Venco, Sportlife, Kexchoklad, Ahlgrens Bilar, and CandyKing – which have been bringing smiles for generations, and with a history dating back to 1862, we’ve learned a thing or two about making life and work a little sweeter.

Today, we’re a vibrant global team of 2,800 passionate people, united by creativity, collaboration, and a shared love of what we do. We take pride in our craftsmanship, our brands, and one another – and we make sure to have plenty of fun along the way.

If you’re ready to be part of something joyful, dynamic, and full of flavor – come join us at Cloetta!

Your Mission & The Impact You'll Make

Imagine bringing joy to millions across America as you spearhead the growth of Northern Europe’s leading confectionery brands – introducing a whole new world of sweetness to the U.S. market.

That’s the kind of impact you’ll have as Cloetta’s new U.S. Country Manager. We’re on a mission to bring our Superbrands and the iconic CandyKing Pick & Mix concept to life across the U.S. The buzz is building; the strategy is forming – and we’re looking for a dynamic leader to turn ambition into reality.

We have started to lay the foundation: initiating broker relationships, building market insights, ensuring initial placements. Now we need a hands-on, resourceful manager to take the reins – refining the strategy, optimizing pricing and channels, building strong partnerships, and shaping how Cloetta shows up in the U.S. market.

You’ll be supported by two dedicated team members, a strong global team, and have the opportunity to build and grow our U.S. team as commercial and operational activities expand.

If you’re energized by growth, collaboration, and candy (who isn’t?), this is your chance to help write the next chapter in Cloetta’s story – and bring smiles to millions of U.S. candy lovers.

Bring the Plan to Life

• Bring fresh perspectives, strong follow-through, and a “make it happen” mindset that helps drive Cloetta’s success in the U.S.
• Refine and execute Cloetta’s U.S. ambitious commercial growth strategy
• Pick & Mix: Lead the rollout of CandyKing in key regions, in close collaboration with the global team. 
• Packaged Products: Design and scale distribution and visibility of Cloetta’s packaged products.

Grow Our Presence

• Build and deepen strategic partnerships with retailers, brokers, and distributors to strengthen Cloetta’s footprint and in-store presence.
• Collaborate with partners to test, learn, and scale CandyKing pilots in New York and neighboring states.
• Accelerate e-commerce growth through multi-platform expansion, including our ongoing partnership with Amazon.

Enhance the Portfolio

• Share market feedback and category insights to shape the U.S. product mix with the global team.
• Introduce selected Superbrands based on local trends and consumer demand.

Build Together

• Recruit and develop talent to support commercial and operational expansion. Your current team (direct reports) include two Key Account Managers based in the Netherlands.
• Collaborate closely with our international colleagues.
• Foster a collaborative, can-do culture that reflects Cloetta’s core values Focus, Passion, Teamplay, and Pride - and lead by example through curiosity, teamwork, and a hands-on approach.

Who You Are

You combine deep knowledge of the U.S. retail and consumer landscape with an entrepreneurial spirit and a leadership style that reflects Cloetta’s joyful, inclusive culture.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• 8-10 years in FMCG, CPG, or retail brand development, ideally with experience in confectionery, snacks, or food & beverage.
• Proven success in U.S. market entry or retail expansion, and broker/distributor management.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. retail landscape, including grocery, convenience, specialty, and e-commerce channels.
• Successful leadership experience in an international setting.
• Skilled in commercial strategy, pricing, trade marketing, and sales forecasting.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship management, and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze market trends and consumer insights to drive brand growth.
• Passion for Swedish brands and the confectionery industry.

Soft Skills

• Entrepreneurial: You’re a self-starter who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Curious and resourceful: You embrace challenges with creativity and find smart paths forward, even in ambiguity.
• Self-aware: You lead with clarity and purpose, continuously learning and adapting.
• Communicative and collaborative: You’re a natural relationship builder, able to engage, present, and influence across cultures and teams.
• Nordic at Heart: You appreciate – or have experience with – Nordic workplace culture: trust-based, non-hierarchical, and values-driven.

What Do We Offer?

Benefits

• Your well-being comes first. We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage so you and your family can feel supported and protected.
• We invest in your future. Our 401(k) plan with a competitive company match helps you grow your savings and build long-term financial security.
• We believe in balance. Our PTO program gives you the time to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work - with additional days added the longer you’re with us.
• We recognize most major public holidays, giving you the opportunity to relax and celebrate with family and friends throughout the year.
• Flexible working hours: We believe in results, not facetime, to enable a rich professional and personal life.

Our Work Environment

Make an impact

At Cloetta, you get the best of both worlds — the scale of an international company and the closeness of a local one. We’re big enough to create real impact, yet agile enough to stay personal, flexible, and fast-moving. You will be part of a global network of skilled colleagues to share expertise, learn from, grow, and partner with. Here, you’re trusted to take ownership, make decisions, and shape the future of our business.

Joy is Part of Who We Are

We don’t just make joyful products — we live joy in everything else we do. Our open and welcoming culture sparks the power of true joy. It’s this atmosphere that brings creativity and builds strong teams. Our non-hierarchical, trust-based organization gives you the freedom to build your and the team’s success

If you’re ready to take ownership and ensure Cloetta’s success in the U.S., we look forward to building this exciting chapter together.

The base salary range for this position is $111,000-$186,000, which is based on multiple factors such as years of relevant experience, education, industry knowledge, and skillset. In addition to your base salary, this role is eligible for an incentive bonus.