case study
What can you stop: Spearheading the transformation office for a multinational FMCG
Joris Vanthienen
In the wake of a major organizational shift, a global FMCG player transitioned from a category-led to a country-led business model, merging four product categories into one unified local entity. While the move aimed to increase agility and accelerate growth, it left behind a complex roadmap of 15 initiatives requiring alignment, ownership, and execution. BrightWolves stepped in to lead the transformation office, giving the Executive Committee the clarity and focus needed to drive business performance.
Challenge
The transformation roadmap spanned 15 loosely connected initiatives across commercial, operational, financial, HR, and data domains. Each came with different levels of urgency, impact, and ownership—making it difficult to maintain focus. From route-to-market redesigns and PRGM improvements to S&OP and HR policy shifts, it was clear that not everything could or should move forward at the same speed. The company needed to prioritize what mattered most, establish a clear delivery structure, and regain momentum—fast.
From building out a transformation office and leading it from scratch to gap-filling where you see a need: we’ve got you covered. Our approach ensures that every aspect of the transformation is meticulously planned and executed, providing the necessary support to drive sustainable change.
Approach
We began by listening. After reviewing prior work and interviewing key stakeholders—including each ExCo member—we asked one critical question:
“Are all 15 initiatives equally important to deliver on your strategic goals?”
The answer was unanimous: no.
We helped the company focus its energy on what would truly make a difference. Four key initiatives—The Big 4 Enablers—were selected and backed by clear accountability and executive alignment:
1. Building a performance & people-driven culture
We supported the creation of a culture rooted in ownership, engagement, and continuous improvement, while embedding talent development and performance tracking practices.
2. Delivering on the data transformation
We developed governance frameworks, prioritized use cases, and launched Power BI dashboards to accelerate data-driven decision-making across the organization.
3. Improving end-to-end cash processes
By redesigning the Order-to-Cash process and implementing standardized invoicing templates, we reduced overdue receivables by 80%—a major step toward improved liquidity.
4. Ramping up the PRGM team
We reinforced the PRGM team’s structure and roadmap, focusing on gross-to-net strategies, price-pack architecture, and margin-focused portfolio optimization.
We ensured each initiative had empowered project leads, supported by the transformation office. Monthly updates to the ExCo created structure and visibility, while our consultants stepped in where additional hands-on support was needed.
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Impact
Within three months, the roadmap was refocused and activated. By narrowing in on the Big 4 Enablers, the company regained strategic clarity and execution rhythm. The Order-to-Cash initiative delivered immediate financial impact with an 80% drop in overdue receivables. The data transformation unlocked faster insights and improved governance. The PRGM team gained traction, delivering measurable improvements in margin management. Throughout, BrightWolves filled in key gaps—supporting both leadership and execution—to ensure lasting change.
Summary
Following a major organizational shift, a global FMCG company partnered with BrightWolves to lead its transformation office and bring structure to a scattered roadmap of 15 initiatives.
We helped the Executive Committee prioritize four high-impact focus areas (culture, data, cash processes, and PRGM), and backed each with clear ownership and support.
BrightWolves drove execution through hands-on support, governance design, and performance tracking while keeping leadership aligned through regular updates.
In just three months, the company regained momentum, cut overdue receivables by 80%, improved data insights, and accelerated progress on its most strategic initiatives.