International Market Director

Winterhalter und Fenner Sonepar seeks a Senior International Market Director in Geneva to manage Global Strategic Suppliers, aligning supplier strategies with local execution and driving commercial collaboration.

This position serves as the primary liaison between Sonepar’s operating companies and its Global Strategic Suppliers. The incumbent is responsible for managing these key accounts, ensuring that supplier strategies are effectively translated into local actions, and fostering strong, productive relationships across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main account manager for Global Strategic Suppliers, overseeing vendor performance and relationships.
• Develop and sustain strong partnerships with key suppliers to ensure mutual success.
• Bridge the gap between top-level supplier strategy and on-the-ground execution, including product portfolio management.
• Promote SIS services to suppliers, ensure their satisfaction, and uncover new commercial opportunities.
• Coordinate strategic roadmaps focusing on omnichannel approaches, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency.
• Onboard new suppliers from relevant sectors to expand business with SIS.
• Handle global contract negotiations, including terms, framework agreements, and service delivery.
• Create global action plans, lead business reviews, and coordinate international promotional activities.
• Optimize year-end remuneration outcomes within the scope of Global Strategic Suppliers.
• Prepare materials and content for high-level meetings between Sonepar management and supplier partners.
• Coordinate or support local taskforce projects related to supplier management.
• Attend key global vendor meetings as required.
• Identify and evaluate potential new partnership opportunities.
• Assist in digital transformation efforts, specifically supporting e-Steercos and Supply Chain Collaboration initiatives.

Requirements

• Proven expertise in negotiation with a history of securing global or local contracting terms.
• Sharp commercial insight to spot and leverage business opportunities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Capability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder relationships and communicate effectively across diverse teams, cultures, and organizational levels.
• Mandatory experience in the electrical sector (distributors, wholesalers, suppliers, or end-users) in roles such as Category Manager, Marketing Manager, or Sales Manager.
• Willingness and availability for frequent short-term international travel.

Nice to have

• Prior experience in the HVAC or Renewables sectors, including eMobility, is considered an advantage.

What the company offers

• Reimbursement for monthly or annual public transport passes.
• Monthly lunch card valued at CHF 180.
• Reimbursement for private health insurance (Lamal) up to CHF 5,000 annually.