CEO (Founding Member), Cannabis FMCG Business

Essence Investment AG is a leading Swiss investor in Europe’s cannabis markets. We invested in state-of-the-art facilities amid the rolling hills of Switzerland that produce the cleanest and purest cannabis products. Our focus is continued expansion across the whole industry value chain, helping our companies to grow in Europe in compliance with the regulatory specifics of each country. Led by a team of experienced market leaders in cannabis industry, we are strongly driven by our mission to make high-quality cannabis products available to consumers in Europe.

Currently, we are building a cannabis-focused FMCG company specializing in consumer goods across flowers, wapes, edibles, beverages for the Europe. This is a rare opportunity to establish a market-leading brand from inception in one of Europe's fastest-growing cannabis markets.

We are looking for the CEO of this business, who will lead all strategic and operational aspects, including go-to-market strategy development, business operations design and implementation, regulatory navigation, and revenue scaling to multi-million-euro targets within 36 months. This is a hands-on founder role requiring both strategic vision and exceptional execution capability

MISSION & KEY OBJECTIVES

Year 1: Foundation & Market Entry

• Develop the go-to-market strategy and business plan for Europe cannabis FMCG market
• Establish regulatory and operational foundations (licensing, compliance, supply chain)
• Launch minimum viable product portfolio (2-3 core SKUs across each categories)
• Achieve initial market presence and distribution in pilot markets (Germany as the primary focus)
• Build core team (operations, sales, marketing, compliance)

Year 2: Scale & Expansion

• Expand product portfolio and distribution channels across Europe
• Scale sales and marketing operations to achieve significant market penetration
• Establish supply chain efficiency and production partnerships
• Build brand awareness and customer acquisition

Year 3: Market Leadership & Growth

• Establish market leadership position in key segments and geographies
• Achieve full operational excellence and P&L profitability
• Develop strategic partnerships and ecosystem positioning

FMCG Industry Leadership (8+ years minimum). Relevant industry backgrounds include:

• Primary preference: cannabis products, nutriceuticals and dietary supplements, tobacco, wines, other fast growing categories
• Other possibilities: alcohol and spirits, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, tobacco and nicotine alternatives
• At least 1 industry shift in the previous experience

Entrepreneurial Track Record:

• Founder or co-founder of a successful business (minimum €10 million in revenue achieved)
• OR: Founder of a new business division/subsidiary within an SMB (10-500 employees) with responsibility for building revenue from scratch to €10+ million
• Critical: Experience in small to mid-sized business environment where you had significant operational and strategic control (not large corporate middle management)
• Evidence of hands-on execution during early-stage business building (wearing multiple hats, managing with limited resources)

Geographic & Market Requirements:

• Experience working in the EU (Germany, Netherlands, Austria, France, etc.) OR
• Experience in the US/Canada with cannabis-specific businesses

• Top performing team of cannabis market industry leaders in Europe
• Compensation package includes base salary, profit sharing and equity
• Opportunity to start the business and be based in any country within DACH
• Flexible work arrangements and high amount of freedom