MEET CHARLES: FROM FRANCE TO SWITZERLAND TO BRUSSELS TO SWEDEN FOR MDLZ

Monday, February 27, 2023

Please tell us about your career journey at MDLZ

My career at MDLZ started in the French business where I was responsible for coffee, before moving to chocolate and work on the Côte d’Or brand. Iconic in the French market! After a few years I had the opportunity to move to our European headquarter Zurich, where I looked after the Oreo brand for total Europe. I then moved to Brussels and back to local responsibilities for a few years, where I lead the chocolate and gum & candy business for Benelux. That is when I got the opportunity to join my first local leadership team, before embracing the challenge last year to relocate with my family to Sweden. In Upplands Väsby I lead the same categories, but for the total Nordics. This includes Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland!

So far my career has been really interesting and rewarding, with the chance to work in multiple aspects of marketing across the categories of coffee, chocolate, bakery and gum & candy. I have worked in France, Switzerland, Benelux and Nordics on both local and central roles!

Which brands do you work with?

Currently, I have the chance to work on iconic local chocolate brands such as Marabou in Sweden, and Freia in Norway. In addition to that my team also looks after many other famous brands like O’Boy, Daim and Stimorol.

What do you like about working at MDLZ, what do you think is special about us?

For me, it is the people who make MDLZ special. We have a group of passionate, experienced, and fun individuals working together to deliver the best products, which in turn brings joy every day to our consumers. Then of course, I also love the brands we are producing, an exciting combination of unique local icons and global power brands.

What are the positive challenges your job presents?

I enjoy managing a brilliant team spread across 4 markets with different cultures and approaches to the business. Regarding my current role itself as Senior Marketing Director Nordics, it is the chance of working on a wide range of topics which is super positive and challenging. Starting from activating the brands which involves communication campaigns, partnerships on Football, Ice Hockey, Music, Gaming and indulgent innovations while at the same time being responsible for the financial dimension of a 600M$ business. So to speak, using both sides of the brain!

What is your biggest learning experience since working with us?

Being mobile and working in an international company enabled me to get out of my comfort zone and accelerate my learning curve by discovering new brands, new retail environments and new consumer and shopper insights. Working in different categories and countries has been an amazing source of inspiration and experience!

What is your favourite MDLZ brand?

I believe you always stay very close to your favourite childhood brands, so for me it would be LU Paille d’Or! And for chocolate, my heart will always be with Côte d’Or but growing fan of Marabou Milk Chocolate and Freia Kvikk Lunsj from Norway.