Pieter van Soest

CCO | Commercial Managing Director | Leading Sustainable Growth | Restoring Natural Living

The Randstad, Netherlands

About

With 20+ years of experience in consumer goods and retail, I am a commercial MD who joined Burg Group as CCO. Founded in 1947, Burg Group is an innovative producer of natural vinegar and syrups. In Europe, Burg Group is the market leader in natural vinegar, with more than 300 employees and production locations in five countries. Additionally, since March 2024, Burg Group has been active with a production location in the United States. The company aims to operate fully circular and CO2 neutral by 2035. My mission is to make a positive impact by doing well for business, while doing good for society. I am passionate about the global transformation to a more sustainable living for everyone on this planet. I have a proven track record of developing people and commercial teams to achieve consistent, competitive, profitable, and responsible growth. As a SingularityU alumnus, I have a keen interest in innovation and digital transformation. I have professionalized organisations and a range of different teams to a more future-proof, focused and high-performing culture. I have successfully led and expanded Unilever International's business in Benelux and Europe, as well as co-led the Beauty and Personal Care Business Unit within Unilever Benelux. I have professionalized ECOstyle (PE-led, ex-family owned) in Netherlands & Belgium and I recently helped out at Bloom@Wolf in Sales BtB. My areas of expertise include: General management & Operations, Strategy development, Leading Teams and Talent, Sales management & Negotiations, Marketing & Innovation development, Channel Differentiation, E-comm & digital marketing, Buying & Merchandising, Sourcing & Logistics, Purpose & Digital Transformation. I am a positive, authentic, empathic, insightful, structured, connecting, commercial, no-nonsense, loyal, disciplined, and persistent leader.

Experience

  • Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Burg Group
    2024 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

  • Trusted Advisor & Sales BtB at Bloom & Wolf
    2024 - 2025 · 1 yr

  • CCO & Country Director Benelux at ECOstyle
    2022 - 2024 · 2 yrs

    Professionalized the commercial team for ECOstyle in Netherlands and Belgium Delivery of 3YR plan

  • Unilever (6 yrs 1 mo)
    • Squad Leader Unilever International Europe
      2020 - 2022 · 2 yrs

      Squad to lead and expand Unilever International business in Benelux and Europe

    • Senior Customer Development Director - Unilever Benelux
      2016 - 2022 · 6 yrs

      Senior Sales Director, responsible for Health & Beauty Channel & Others Leading accountteam, categorymanagement & business operations Co-leading Business Unit Beauty & Personal Care Customer Development Leadership Team

    • Senior Director Business Operations and Category Management
      2016 - 2018 · 2 yrs

      Leading the team of Business Operations Leaders for Unilever Netherlands Head of Category management for all divisions: Foods, Homecare and Beauty & Personal Care

  • Unit Director Buying & Merchandising at bol.com
    2014 - 2016 · 2 yrs

    Commercial leader for Books & Entertainment BU, member of Commercial Management Team Strategic Buying & Vendor Management: set up new Strategic Buying Team for bol.com