This survey provides insight into the salaries, benefits and bonuses commanded by professionals working within the consumer sector across a number of disciplines in The Netherlands.
2. Introduction
Welcome to Nigel Wright Group’s consumer salary survey 2017 for the
Netherlands, which is specifically designed to provide you with an
insight into the monetary and non-monetary benefits commanded by
professionals within this sector.
Nigel Wright Group has earned a strong reputation within the consumer
sector across Europe for providing a high-quality recruitment service
that is built upon our industry knowledge. We consider it important to
continue to bring you relevant, useful information that you can use, in an
accessible format.
This survey has been compiled from the responses of over 1,000 respondents who completed our online
questionnaire in the first quarter 2017 as well as data from our extensive database of candidates. The survey
represents a cross-section of respondents with the following profile in the Netherlands:
• Consumer sub-sector: Advertising and Media; Clothing, Footwear and Accessories; Consumer Electronics; Food
& Drink; Health & Beauty; Home Construction / DIY; Retail; Telecommunications; Toys & Games, Travel & Leisure,
Sports/Sporting Goods, Warehousing & Logistics Services;
• 72% of respondents are educated to degree level or above; 54% have a Masters, and 7% a PhD;
• 36% have been in their current position less than two years, 38% for between two and five years, 24% for
between five and ten years and 3% for 10 or more years.
The survey focuses on areas such as levels of satisfaction, respondents’ motivation to change jobs as well as
attitudes towards skill shortages and the qualities needed to succeed in the industry. It also covers employees’
salaries, benefits and bonuses as well as differences in flexible working arrangements.
For further information or to discuss your recruitment requirements please contact us on +31 (0) 20 800 6170 and
you will be directed to a consultant specialising in your area. For more information on our services please visit
http://nl.nigelwright.com.
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 20172
3. educated to
degree level72%
have a
master’s degree54%
have a PHD
7%
CONSUMERSUB-SECTOREDUCATIONCURRENT
POSITION
< 2 years 2-5 years
5-10 years
36% 38%
24%
>10 years
3%
Advertising
and Media
Retail
Warehousing &
Logistics Services
DIY / Home
Construction
Travel and
Leisure
Food and
Drink
Toys and
Games
Consumer
Electronics
TelecommunicationsClothing, Footwear
and Accessories
Sports /
Sporting Goods
Health and
Beauty
Respondents’ profiles
4. Contents
1.0 Non-monetary indicators
1.1 Job satisfaction by job level & salary
1.2 Job satisfaction by discipline & hours worked
1.3 Factors influencing a change of roles
1.4 Methods used to search for a new role
2.0 Salaries, benefits and bonuses
2.1 Average salaries by job title
2.2 Average percentage of salary increase received and expected
2.3 Importance of benefits as part of a remuneration package
2.4 Benefits and bonus entitlement
2.5 Bonus rates received and expected
2.6 Pensions
2.7 Flexible working options
2.8 Nights away from home
3.0 Skills and attitudes
3.1 Skill shortages
3.2 Qualities needed to be successful
Contact information
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 20174
6. ALL %
JOB %
Over 80,000 €
Executive (board level) Management
ANNUAL SALARY %
Under 80,000 €
1.1 Job satisfaction by job level
Respondents were asked to rate their level of job satisfaction on the following five-point scale:
Our Dutch respondents displayed a much higher level of job satisfaction than their other European counterparts.
Indeed none of our sample said they were very dissatisfied and 27% said they were very satisfied. Executive
(C-suite & board level) unsurprisingly display the highest levels of job satisfaction.
1. Very satisfied
4. Moderately dissatisfied 5. Very dissatisfied
2. Moderately satisfied 3. Neither satisfied or dissatisfied
27
56
11
6
0
35
41
6
6
0
16
47
26
11
0
15
59
19
7
0
31
60
4
4
0
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 20176
7. 30
48
11
11
0
1.2 Job satisfaction by discipline and
hours worked
Respondents were asked to rate their level of job satisfaction on the following five-point scale:
We also examined job satisfaction by discipline and the number of hours people were working.
As we find in other European countries, people who work in sales are inclined to job dissatisfaction compared to
other disciplines.
The longer people in our sample worked, the more job satisfaction they display. This could be used to demonstrate
that people who like their jobs work longer hours.
1. Very satisfied
4. Moderately dissatisfied 5. Very dissatisfied
2. Moderately satisfied 3. Neither satisfied or dissatisfied
Marketing
DISCIPLINE %
WEEKLY HOURS WORKED %
Sales
Operations & supply chain
14
45
18
20
4
22
56
15
7
0
29
57
14
0
0
18
55
27
0
0
40-50 50+
40-50 50+
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 7
8. 1.3 Changing jobs - factors influencing
a change of roles internally or
externally to another organisation
Respondents were asked to select the top three factors that would motivate them to change jobs, both within their
current company (internally) and to another organisation (externally). In the consumer sector, although money is
important, the opportunity to experience new challenges is a more persuasive factor for employees considering
their next move. Achieving an improved work-life balance is also an increasingly important factor for job seekers
today.
Internal External
New challenges Change discipline
Increased remuneration Nothing
Promotion Change location
Gain new skills Different environment / culture
Achieve an improved work-life balance Flexible working
25
26
7
5
16
9
5
7
16
18
5
2
15
11
3
9
7
10
1
3
CHANGING JOBS %
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 20178
9. 1.4 Methods used to search for a
new role
Respondents were asked to select all methods that they would utilise when looking for a new role. Social
networking is the most important method for job seekers in the Netherlands but a high proportion will also make
approaches directly to employers. Using social networking sites and online job boards to identify job opportunities
now completely surpasses the use of printed media such as newspapers and magazines, which none of our sample
said that they used.
Social
networking
sites
Online job
boards
Internal bulletin
boards / employer
intranets
Trade
magazines
Nigel Wright
website
Regional
or local
newspapers
56 21
19
0
21 0
Direct
approaches to
employers
26
Other
recruitment
consultancies
47
NEWS
JOB SEARCH %
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 9
10. 2.0 Salaries,
benefits and
bonuses
This section presents information from respondents from all disciplines
and levels of the Netherlands’ consumer sector on their salaries, benefits
and bonuses.
11. 2.1 Average salaries
SALARY PER ANNUM %
Salary by job title of respondent €
3
27
70
Up to 50,000 €
50,000 € to 80,000 €
80,000 € +
3% of our sample were earning up to €50,000 per year, and 70% were earning €80,000 or more, which is obviously
not representative of the entire Netherlands’ workforce.
It should be noted that salary levels can vary depending on company size, industry sector and the availability of
candidates in a specific discipline.
Executive Director 160,000
Senior Manager 90,000
Non-Executive Director 125,000
Consultant 55,000
CEO 160,000
Manager 80,000
Operational Director (below main board level) 120,000
Managing Director / General Manager 140,000
Analyst 55,000
Head / Controller 95,000
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 11
12. As part of their last salary review over one third of respondents (38%) received an increase of between 2% and 5%.
At all levels, there is degree of positivity regarding this year’s annual raise. Over half of the sample (52%) anticipate
an increase of at least 2%, with 5% expecting over 10%.
17 90%
16 13Between 3-5%
27 23Between 1-2%
3 2Between 10-15%
SALARY INCREASE LEVEL Received %
Received
Expected %
Expected
11 16Up to 1%
3 3Between 5-10%
22 31Between 2-3%
2 3Between 15+
2.2 Average percentage of salary
increase received and expected
by level
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 201712
13. 2.3 Importance of benefits as part of a
remuneration package
Respondents felt that the three most important employer benefits as part of a remuneration package were a
personal bonus (59%), a company car and petrol (52%) and holiday entitlement (38%).
For women, flexible working is more important than a personal bonus in an overall remuneration package. Men
tend to value bonuses and car allowances as more important factors in their overall benefits package more than
women do.
59
34
20
52
27
17
38
25
11
BENEFITS All %
Bonus - personal
Non-contributory pension
Employer contributory pension
Holiday entitlement
Share options
Company car and petrol
Flexible working
Bonus - company performance
Health insurance
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 13
14. Company bonus
Car allowance
Personal bonus
Pension
Healthcare
Guaranteed bonus
84
81
73
67
71
14
RECEIVE BENEFITS AND BONUSES %
The majority of our sample (62%) in full time employment have over 26 days holiday a year with 17% having over 31
days.
Overall 98% of those surveyed receive some form of benefit or bonus. The most common being a company bonus
(84%), a car allowance (81%) and a personal bonus (73%).
2.4 Benefits and bonus entitlement
5Under 20 days
4526-30 days
STANDARD HOLIDAY ALLOWANCE (WITHOUT LIEU DAYS) %
3321-25 days
1731 days or more
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 201714
15. 2.5 Bonus rates received and
expected
Bonus payments this year were anticipated to be broadly the same as last year.
11.7
12.6
13.8
11.7
12.5
13.5
GUARANTEED BONUS
COMPANY BONUS
PERSONAL BONUS
Received % Expected %
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 15
16. Over two thirds (67%) of respondents receive a company pension.
Of those who receive a pension there is an average of 4.8% contribution from the employer with the recipient
contributing less (4.3%). We asked whether those receiving a pension were concerned about their final pension pot,
and 29% said they were not concerned with the vast majority of people expressing varying levels of concern.
2.6 Pensions
RECEIVE A COMPANY PENSION
CONCERN ABOUT SIZE OF FINAL PENSION %
12
4.3
Average number
of years in
pension
Percentage contribution from employee
4.8Percentage contribution from employer
29
21
Not concerned at all
Concerned
43
8
Somewhat concerned
Very concerned
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 201716
17. 2.7 Flexible working options
Nine out of ten respondents (92%) work for a company that offers some kind of flexible working – the most
common being working from home (77%) followed by part-time hours (32%).
WORKING OPTIONS %
Job sharing
None
Compressed hours
(same hours over
fewer days)
Flexi-time
Working from home
Part-time working
77
32
13
8
7
2
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 17
18. We also asked our sample how many nights do they stay away from home during the week, and found that 55%,
spend at least one night away from home.
44% average one or two nights away per week, and 9% are spending at least three away (although 67% of those
spending 3 nights away are earning €80,000 or more). The figures show an unsurprising correlation between higher
salaries and time away from home.
2.8 Working away from home
% of respondents 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Up to 50,000 € 50,000 € to 80,000 € Over 80,000 €
NIGHTS AWAY PER WEEK
SALARY:
NIGHTS SPENT WORKING AWAY FROM HOME PER WEEK %
45None
None
44
11
One / two nights
One or two nights
Three or more nights
Three or more nights
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 201718
19. 3.0 Skills and
attitudes
This section presents information from respondents on skill shortages and
what qualities they believe are needed to be successful in their industry.
20. Whilst less than a third (30%) of respondents felt that there were currently no skill shortages at their place of work,
we asked everyone what their employer had been doing to address skills shortages. Increasing training budgets
was top of the list of actions (27%), followed by recruitment either from other industries or professions (13%), at an
apprenticeship level (8%) or from another country (5%).
3.1 Actions to address skills shortages
SKILL SHORTAGES %
Transferred employees
into skill shortage
Don’t know
Increased marketing
activity to raise profile
with prospective
candidates
No current skill
shortages
Allowed employees to
take study leave for
external training
Recruited workers
from other countries5
Recruited apprentices8
Increased training
budgets27
Increased recruitment
budget5
Recruited from
other industries or
professions
13 3
2
27
5
30
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 201720
21. 3.2 Qualities needed to be successful
Respondents were asked to select what qualities they felt were the most important for those working in the
consumer sector. Being an excellent communicator (66%), being flexible and adaptable (61%), and a strategic thinker
(61%) were considered the most significant.
Self-sufficient / independent
Action orientated
Strategic thinker
Strong leader
Cope well under pressure
Great people skills Professional knowledge
Great networker
Excellent communicator
Confident / self-assured
66
44
41
34
61
48
33
55 31
27
Flexible / adaptable
61
QUALITIES NEEDED %
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 21
22. Contact details
For more information on the Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017, please contact Nigel Wright Group on
the details below:
David Feldman
Country Director - Germany and Netherlands
David van der Capellen
Manager
Nigel Wright Group
Parnassusweg 819
1082 LZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
DD: +31 (0) 208 006 170
M: +31 (0) 641 64 17 22
E: david.feldman@nigelwright.com
DD: +31 (0) 208 006 172
M: +31 (0) 641 64 17 37
E: david.vandercapellen@nigelwright.com
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 201722
23. Nigel Wright Group has offices across Europe:
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Lloyds Court
78 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6AF
T: +44 (0)191 222 0770
TEESSIDE
Eshton Suite, Office 2
Wynyard Park House,
Wynyard Avenue,
Wynyard,
TS22 5TB
T: +44 (0)1740 661000
LONDON
20 St Dunstan’s Hill,
London,
EC3R 8HL
T: +44 (0)207 405 3921
COPENHAGEN
Havnegade 39
1058 Copenhagen K
Denmark
T: +45 7027 8601
LAUSANNE
Rue Caroline 2
1003 Lausanne
Switzerland
T: +41 (0)21 311 2376
ÅRHUS
Værkmestergade 2,
17. etage
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
T: +45 7027 8601
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Grev Turegatan 3, 4 tr
114 46 Stockholm
Sweden
T: +46 (0)8 400 264 35
MALMÖ
High Court,
Malmöhusvägen 1,
211 18 Malmö,
Sweden
T: +46 (0)8 400 264 35
OSLO
Dronning eufemias Gate 16
0191 Oslo
Norway
T: +47 238 97 773
AMSTERDAM
Regus World Trade Centre
Zuidplein 36, H-Toren
1077 XV, Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
T: +31 (0)20 799 7730
HELSINKI
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00120 Helsinki
Finland
T: +45 7027 8601
PARIS
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75008 Paris
France
T: +33 1 76 73 29 80
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5th Floor
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Germany
T: +49 211 882 42 364
MADRID
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Carrera de San Jerónimo, 15 - 2ª
28014 Madrid
Spain
T: +34 91 788 3172
GOTHENBURG
World Trade Center,
Mässans gata 18,
412 51 Göteborg,
Sweden
T: +46 (0)8 400 264 35
Our offices
Netherlands Consumer Sector Salary Survey 2017 23