David van der Lei

Global Director Commercial Sustainability at Perfetti Van Melle / Born at 326 ppm

Maarssen, Utrecht, Netherlands

About

Working experience on 3 continents - proven to be able to lead and be successful in multiple cultural settings. Senior and still a very curious person, mostly curious into sustainability and what drives people. Translating this into purposeful commerce - to motivate and energize commercial organizations. Can easily connect to all disciplines & levels in the organization. An engineer with a MSc in Food Science, but even bigger passion for consumers and their behavior. Proven track record in Brand and Channel management, Trade Marketing in Traditional Trade as well as Modern Trade Markets, E-commerce, Sustainability, Innovation & new business development

Experience

  • Perfetti Van Melle (21 yrs 3 mos)
    • Global Director Commercial Sustainability
      Jun 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

      Working with Brand Teams to make brands, packaging and product portfolio more sustainable to have enduring relevance for consumers as well as retailers. Develop the commercial sustainability agenda, align with various stakeholders, communicate internally and externally. Focus on more sustainable packaging, sustainable sourcing, productline LCAs, brand purpose positioning and PVM Sustainability Trade communication. Temporary to be combined with GPO MKT role in SAP transition process

    • Global Ecommerce Lead / International Trade Marketing Director
      Jul 2016 - May 2022 · 5 yrs 11 mos

      Driving development of global online sales of the Perfetti Van Melle Portfolio - in 5 years from embryonic 0,2% to > 3% of sales. Creating sense of purpose and urgency to build a substantial and economically sound online business fast. Connecting the local E-com specialists, create structure for accelerating and sharing learnings. Building global and local E-com capabilities, develop specific portfolio and accelerate the roll out of best practices.

    • International Trade Marketing Director
      Aug 2015 - Jun 2016 · 11 mos

      Support TM teams in operating companies in Asia, Middle East, Africa and South America in developing category vision, optimize Route To Market, Sales Force Automation, Distribution Partnerships, Point of Sale Material and Shopper Marketing. Gradually developing towards Digital Transformation and Ecommerce

  • Senior Consultant at VODW
    Jun 2000 - Apr 2005 · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Developing winning marketing strategies for packaged consumer goods and services companies. Translating these strategies in hands-on execution and show results! Main projects: Wessanen/Zonnatura, Perfetti Van Melle/ Mentos, Akzo Nobel/Flexa, Hollandia Matzes, Buitenhuis Snacks, ANWB, KPN

  • Brand Manager Mentos at Perfetti Van Melle
    Sep 2002 - Jan 2004 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Initial launch Mentos Chewing Gum with Powergum concept + launch sugarfree Mentos Cool Active candy in the Dutch and Belgium market. Topline responsibility. Mentos brand achieved growth of 12% (2003 versus 2002) with these 2 introductions - and now (2023) is leading Chewing Gum brand in BLX

  • Consultant at TwynstraGudde
    Jul 1996 - May 2000 · 3 yrs 11 mos

    Consulting unit specialized in New Business Search & Development, in 2003 acquired by Twynstra & Gudde. Main assignments include 3-6 month New Business Development projects for Numico, Koninklijke De Ruijter, Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods, Avebe and Purac. In 1998 and 1999 I got assignment to build a greenfield US subsidiairy for the consultancy in Fairfield Connecticut. Started by developing leads and landing new assigments in the US market, hiring first employees and managing execution of the first projects. In 2000 handed over to local successor.

  • Assistant Marketing Manager at A.J. van den Hul B.V.
    Jan 1996 - Jul 1996 · 7 mos

    Streamlining marketing and relationship management in small family company developing cutting edge audio equipment highly appreciated around the world. Run by owner / inventor Aalt Jouk van den Hul