Global Commercial Director

Permanent employee, Full-time · Zurich

Role description

The Global Commercial Director will be responsible for shaping, scaling and executing the Group’s global commercial strategy. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on mentality, ensuring sustainable growth across regions, business units, and customer segments.

This position plays a critical role in professionalizing our commercial setup, accelerating international expansion, and aligning regional execution with global priorities.

Your Mission

Commercial Organization & Leadership

Design and scale the global commercial organization across Sales, Product Management, Sales, Customer Service, and Sales Excellence.
Define clear roles, interfaces, and decision rights across commercial functions and ensure strong cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, R&D, and Operations.

Global Commercial Strategy & International Expansion

Define and drive our commercial strategy across both business units (Tobacco & Nicotine, Food & Beverage) and all regions (EMEA, APAC, Americas).
Lead our international commercial expansion and market entry initiatives, including go-to-market strategies for new markets.
Set clear commercial priorities by region, segment, and product category and translate them into executable commercial roadmaps with measurable targets.
Strengthen regional commercial leadership while ensuring strong global alignment.

Sales Excellence & Performance Management

Further develop and execute global Sales Excellence frameworks (customer targeting, pricing & margin management, pipeline management, forecasting, CRM).
Ensure disciplined execution of commercial processes with consistent KPIs, reporting, and performance management globally.

Product & Customer Value Management

Partner closely with R&D and Product Management to align portfolio strategy with market and customer needs.
Support the development of differentiated value propositions per region and segment.

Minimum Qualifications

Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering and/or related fields from a top-tier university with outstanding performance, alternatively top-tier consulting.
Minimum 10+ years of commercial leadership experience in a global and highly process driven B2B environment.
Experience in flavours, ingredients, or related industries is an advantage but not a must.
Proven track record in sales leadership and international market expansion in a multi-regional commercial organization.
Strong understanding of both strategic account management and regional sales execution.
Excellent leadership and communication skills in a modern work environment; capable of inspiring teams across cultures.
Fluent in English; German and other languages are a plus.
Willingness to travel internationally (up to 20%).

Why you'll love working here

Responsibility from day one in an internationally operating, growing family business with flat hierarchies
Annual 360° feedback loops with clear promotion criteria and an individual career path
Flexible working hours, attractive home office policy, and 4 weeks remote work from other EU countries
Modern office overlooking Lake Zürich, incl. showers and lockers
Regular company events and team activities
Monthly savings on everyday expenses through the Swibeco platform – from fitness and food to travel and tech
Free “Halbtax” travelcard, and free language courses
Subsidised lunch at the neighbouring cantine, and free drinks and snacks at the office

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About us

At Arethia, we fuse our long-standing reputation with a continual push for progress. A rapidly expanding player in the flavour industry, Arethia specialises in delivering innovative taste solutions and co-creating products that consumers love. For more than 70 years, Arethia has been known for its close collaboration with customers and the highest quality standards. With over 250 employees spread across Germany, Switzerland, Dubai, and Indonesia, we aim to shape the future of flavours with a culture that values agility, transparency, and talent.

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We look forward to hearing from you!

We appreciate your interest in Arethia. Please fill out the following short form. If you encounter any difficulties uploading your data, feel free to contact us via email at join@arethia.com.