Max Jochem

Driving growth in Germany’s on-trade with VELTINS | Bridging brewing craftsmanship, brand strategy & customer experience

Germany

About

Driven by a passion for beer, hospitality, and authentic brand experiences, I’ve built my career at the intersection of brewing craftsmanship, large-scale operations, and strategic account management. As Account Group Manager Gastronomy at VELTINS, I lead the management of national gastronomy key accounts, focusing on long-term partnerships, on-trade growth, and premium brand presence across Germany. My goal: to create lasting connections between people, places, and the VELTINS brand — built on quality, tradition, and modern hospitality. Before joining VELTINS, I worked at AB InBev, where I managed Event Services and Event Sales at the Issum location. From planning and executing large-scale events to developing client portfolios, I learned how operational excellence and customer focus drive meaningful brand experiences. My journey started hands-on: after interning at Hoppebräu, one of Germany’s most creative craft breweries, I completed my training as a Brewer and Maltster at Kraft Bräu in Trier — a foundation that continues to shape how I approach quality and process in every role. I hold a Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development from the United Nations University – Maastricht (UNU-MERIT), specializing in Governance of Innovation, and a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies from Maastricht University. Alongside my studies, I was actively engaged in the United Nations Student Association Maastricht, organizing events and training students in debate and political leadership. From brewing to brand strategy, from local craftsmanship to national key accounts — my focus remains the same: building great partnerships and creating outstanding experiences in the world of beer and hospitality.

Experience

  • Account Group Manager Gastronomie at Brauerei C. & A. VELTINS
    Sep 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    Als Account Group Manager Gastronomie (AGM) verantworte ich den Gastronomie Key Account der Brauerei C&A Veltins. Von der Systemgastronomie über die Hotellerie bis zu Großveranstaltungen bringen wir den Genuss mit frisches Veltins, Pülleken, Grevensteiner sowie alkoholfreie Fassbrausen, Karamalz und Remix Limonade zu unseren nationalen Kunden.

  • AB InBev (On-site)
    • Event Sales Manager - Teamlead Event Services West Germany - Issum/Geldern
      Aug 2024 - Sep 2025 · 1 yr 2 mos

    • Global Management Trainee
      Aug 2023 - Aug 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

      As a Global Management Trainee at ABInBev Germany I have had the pleasure of working in five different projects within the European Scope of the world's largest brewer. My projects took me from the productions lines at the Hasseröder Brewery in Wernigerode across to Wholesale Management, On Trade Sales and finally to the Event Services where I worked on a digital platform for Germany and the Netherlands. Futhermore I was able to deepen my knowledge on the international nature of ABInBev's European and Global Sales and Production operations with a special focus on the European and UK markets. I was able to deepen my knowledge in a wide range of aspects of the FMCG and brewing industries from production, packaging to stakeholder management, sales and event management.

  • Brewer and Malter App. at Kraftbräu Brewery
    Jun 2021 - Jul 2023 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Official Artisanal brewer Training. At Kraftbräu in Trier, with internship positions at Riegele in Augsburg and Bitburger. final grade 1.6

  • Intern at Hoppebräu
    Jan 2021 - Jun 2021 · 6 mos

    Exploring into the food and beverage as well as the alcohol industry. Interning at Hoppebräu, one of Germany's most innovative and rapidly expanding creative beer breweries. Challenged with both operative and administrative tasks.

  • President of the Advisory Board at United Nations Student Association (UNSA) Maastricht
    Sep 2020 - Jun 2021 · 10 mos

    As President of the Advisory Board of the United Nations' Student Association in Maastricht, it is my role to organise the Advisory Board, consisting of former Governing and Executive Board Members and advise the current Board on all issues regarding the Association, both internal and external.