Claudio Holliger

Head of Sales Retail @ Fresh Drink AG | FMCG | Retail & Foodservice | F&B & Near-Food Expertise

Zürich Metropolitan Area

About

Sales isn't about convincing people. It never was. Unilever gave me the foundations. KKR took away the safety net. At Fresh Drink, we built the ginger shot category leader in Swiss retail from scratch. I'm finishing an Executive MBA and discovering there are tool kits for decisions I've been making on instinct for twenty years. Some of them were even correct. Feel free to reach out.

Experience

  • Head of Sales - Retail at Fresh Drink AG
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

    Translate strategy into measurable shelf impact — driving Swiss retail growth through a clear commercial focus, disciplined resource allocation, and execution that consistently delivers. With high-performing teams and deep shopper insights, we scale concepts like sluups ginger shots into a category-leading brand, showing that even 60 ml can redefine the shelf.

  • Head of Key Account Management - Unilever Food Solutions & Ice Cream (Executive Board Member) at Unilever
    Jan 2021 - Feb 2024 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    Led transformation of two business units by streamlining structures, clarifying accountability, and expanding market reach. Developed a high-performing Key Account Team that drove above-market growth, enhanced joint planning, and strengthened customer relationships.

  • Head of Key Account Management - Unilever Food Solutions (Executive Board Member) at Unilever Food Solutions SA
    Jul 2019 - Dec 2020 · 1 yr 6 mos

    Shifted a diverse Sales Team from reactive execution to strategy-led growth by elevating negotiation standards and embedding disciplined Joint Business Planning. Result: stronger Key Account partnerships, tighter pricing discipline, and sustained outperformance relative to the market.

  • Head of Sales Retail & Professional Foods (Deputy Managing Director) at Upfield
    Jul 2018 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr

    Led the carve-out of Unilever’s plant-based portfolio, transforming it into a focused, standalone business in Switzerland with full commercial accountability. Repositioned a structurally underperforming unit as a profit-driven growth platform by sharpening strategic priorities, tightening execution discipline, and refocusing on margins.

  • Unilever (13 yrs 2 mos)
    • Head of Key Account Management - Out of Home (Ice Cream, Beverages, Food & Near Food)
      Jan 2017 - Jun 2018 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Led a high-performing national team, accelerating growth across diverse out-of-home segments through clear priorities and disciplined execution. Streamlined operations using lean principles and strengthened strategic partnerships, improving efficiency and P&L performance.

    • Senior Key Account Manager - Retail (Ice Cream, Beverages & Food)
      Jul 2013 - Dec 2016 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      Spearheaded growth in the refreshment category across major retail accounts, driving strategic expansion and securing a pivotal partnership with Lidl that strengthened Unilever’s market position. Additionally, acquired a key strategic account, generating significant incremental revenue and expanding the distribution footprint.

    • Key Account Manager Retail - Home and Personal Care
      Sep 2009 - Jun 2013 · 3 yrs 10 mos