Retail Manager & Alternative Distribution

About EOLIS

EOLIS connects specialists in Marketing, Digital, Design and Communication with leading organisations in Belgium. Our consultants and freelancers strengthen our clients' teams with the expertise and flexibility they need for temporary projects, transformation programmes and long-term assignments.

We work across a wide range of sectors and environments, from structured corporate teams to fast-growing companies. By building strong relationships with both our clients and experts, we aim to create assignments that match your experience, ambitions and preferred way of working.

About the assignment

EOLIS is looking for a Retail & Alternative Distribution Manager to join a major Belgian media company in the Brussels region. You join the marketing team, report to the Marketing Director and work closely with the CMO on strategy. Your goal is twofold: get more out of the existing retail distribution of a portfolio of magazine brands, and build new distribution models and partnerships that make up for declining shop sales. You lead a Trade Marketeer and a team of field promoters.

Your responsibilities

• Shape the retail and distribution strategy for the brand portfolio, in line with the overall marketing and brand strategy.
• Optimise print runs, allocation and pricing together with the distribution partner and the data team, to reduce waste and improve returns per title.
• Build strategic partnerships with other publishers, retailers and players in the single-copy sales ecosystem.
• Identify white spots and develop new sales channels beyond traditional retail, such as hospitality, e-commerce, events and corporate sales.
• Negotiate with retail partners, run pilots and set up the pricing, invoicing, stock and reporting flows for new partners.
• Lead the Trade Marketeer in building a visibility plan, point-of-sale materials and promotional actions.
• Manage a team of promoters who support the roll-out of new points of sale and generate new leads.
• Monitor channel performance with data and dashboards, and share insights with brand managers, publishers and management.

Your profile

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in marketing, ideally in FMCG or media.
• Proven experience in retail and distribution management, including single-copy sales, point of sale and channel strategy.
• Experience in partner development, negotiation and business development.
• Comfortable with data, sales analyses and data-driven decision-making.
• Able to combine strategic thinking with a strong operational and commercial drive.
• Able to lead and motivate a small team of marketing and field profiles.
• Knowledge of alternative distribution models such as e-commerce, hospitality or corporate sales is a plus.
• Master's degree in economics, business or marketing.
• Fluent in Dutch and French; good command of English.

What we offer

Joining EOLIS means becoming part of a specialised network of professionals and gaining access to challenging assignments with leading organisations in Belgium.

• Assignments aligned with your expertise, seniority, availability and ambitions.
• Variety across industries, company cultures and types of projects.
• The opportunity to work as an EOLIS employee or independent freelancer, depending on the assignment.
• Personal guidance before, during and after each assignment.
• Transparent communication about the client, expectations, duration and working conditions.
• A long-term partnership focused on continuity, professional growth and the right next project.