Strategy & Executive Office Associate

Are you ready to join an international company that is focused on creating sustainable products for foodservice and airline industries? Probably at some point in your life you traveled on the plane & ordered some food or went to your nearby takeout place to buy a salad for lunch. In this case, you might have seen deSter products and didn’t even know it. A lot of people don’t realize that packaging world can be exciting, but it is more than that, especially when it comes to food. deSter is unique in its industry because we design and manufacture packaging as well as some additional complimentary products such as amenity kits, airplane trolleys & condiment packs. Our purpose is to create sustainable food and travel experiences and we need you on this journey. If you want to be a part of a company that strives to create a better future and change how we look at food packaging, you are in the right place. Job Summary We are looking for a high-potential Strategy & Executive Office Associate to work closely with the President & Managing Director of deSter and the Leadership Team. This role is designed for an analytically strong and highly structured professional who has gained a first experience in management consulting, corporate strategy or a similarly demanding analytical environment and is looking to move into an operational business environment. The Strategy & Executive Office Associate will support the President and Leadership Team in shaping, analysing and executing strategic priorities, while also contributing to the effective functioning of the Leadership Team. This is a highly exposed role offering a unique opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the business at global level, work directly with senior executives and contribute to key strategic and operational decisions. Main Duties and Responsibilities Strategic analysis & decision support
• Support the President and Leadership Team on key strategic initiatives and business priorities.
• Conduct structured analyses to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Develop business cases and evaluate different strategic scenarios.
• Build financial models and cost simulations to assess the implications of different business options.
• Analyse business performance, market information and internal data and translate findings into clear recommendations.
• Support ad hoc strategic questions and special projects initiated by the President. Strategic projects
• Support and, over time, independently coordinate selected cross-functional strategic projects.
• Structure complex business questions and ensure appropriate data and input are collected from relevant stakeholders.
• Track progress against agreed priorities, milestones and deliverables.
• Identify issues requiring Leadership Team attention and support the development of potential solutions.
• Follow up on strategic decisions to ensure appropriate implementation. Leadership Team support & governance
• Coordinate the Leadership Team meeting calendar and agenda in close collaboration with the President and leadership members.
• Prepare high-quality presentations, analyses and decision materials ahead of Leadership Team and other key management meetings.
• Attend Leadership Team meetings, capture key discussions, decisions and actions, and prepare concise minutes.
• Maintain a structured follow-up of actions and commitments arising from Leadership Team meetings.
• Help ensure that Leadership Team discussions focus on the most important strategic and business priorities. Executive communication
• Prepare presentations and briefing materials for internal and external meetings.
• Turn complex information into clear, concise and executive-ready presentations.
• Consolidate input from different functions into coherent materials and recommendations.
• Support the President in preparing for important business reviews and other key meetings. Core Competencies and Requirements Education
• Master's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering or a related field.
• Strong academic track record. Work Experience
• 2 to 4 years of professional experience, ideally including an initial experience within a management consulting firm, corporate strategy team, transaction/advisory environment or similar.
• Experience working on strategic analysis, business cases, financial modelling or performance improvement projects.
• Exposure to an industrial, manufacturing, consumer products or international B2B environment would be an advantage, but is not essential. Skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong financial acumen and confidence working with numbers.
• Advanced Excel modelling skills, including scenario analysis and cost simulations.
• Excellent PowerPoint skills with the ability to structure a compelling management-level storyline rather than simply produce slides.
• Ability to quickly understand complex business questions and break them down into manageable components.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluent English. Additional languages relevant to deSter's international footprint would be an asset. Core Competencies Required
• Intellectually curious, with a genuine interest in how a business operates.
• Structured and analytical, able to bring clarity to ambiguous situations.
• Hands-on and pragmatic, comfortable moving from strategic thinking to very practical execution.
• Highly discreet, given the exposure to confidential and sensitive business topics.
• Proactive, anticipating what the President or Leadership Team will need rather than waiting for instructions.
• Highly reliable, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.