Job Description
Head of Sales – UK & Ireland
Global Leader in Personal Care and Consumer Beauty Goods
Package: £100,000-£125,000 + bonus + £8000 car allowance + benefits
Location: London (Hybrid – minimum 2 days in the office, Tuesday & Wednesday)
Type: Full-time, Permanent
Overview
We are partnering with a global leader in personal care and consumer beauty goods to appoint a Head of Sales for the UK & Ireland market.
This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving the commercial strategy across the region and delivering accelerated growth ahead of the market. The position will lead a large and high-performing commercial organisation while strengthening strategic partnerships with major UK and Irish retailers.
The Role
As Head of Sales – UK & Ireland, you will be responsible for leading the commercial strategy across all channels and delivering sales, financial planning and customer contribution targets across the entire product portfolio.
You will lead a commercial organisation of approximately 25 people, with five direct reports including Grocery Sales Controller, High Street Controller, Discounter Controller, Distributor Lead for Ireland and a Senior National Account Manager responsible for eCommerce.
The role spans the full UK&I retail landscape, including major grocery, high street, discounter and online accounts such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Boots, Superdrug, WHSmith, Amazon, Ocado, grocery.com platforms, Lidl, Aldi and Costco.
You will play a key role within the wider regional leadership structure, working closely with senior stakeholders across finance, marketing, category, demand planning and European commercial teams to deliver strong integrated business planning and commercial performance.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the commercial strategy for the UK & Ireland market, delivering growth ahead of the market
* Own and deliver sales, financial planning and customer contribution targets across all distribution channels
* Lead and develop a high-performing commercial organisation of circa 25 people
* Manage senior sales leaders across grocery, high street, discounter, eCommerce and distributor channels
* Build strategic relationships with major retail customers and lead high-level commercial negotiations
* Develop and deliver joint business plans with key retailers to drive sustainable growth
* Oversee integrated business planning and ensure strong forecasting accuracy across the market
* Track and drive key commercial metrics including sales, profit, market share, distribution, pricing and in-store execution
* Work closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, finance, demand planning and category management
* Identify new growth opportunities across channels, customers and markets
* Champion commercial excellence and build a high-performance culture within the sales organisation
About You
* Significant senior sales leadership experience within a multinational FMCG business
* Experience operating at Head of Sales / Customer Director / Sales Director or equivalent level
* Strong experience across grocery and high street retail channels
* Proven ability to lead and develop large commercial teams
* Strong commercial acumen with deep experience in joint business planning and retail negotiations
* Excellent strategic thinking and decision-making capability
* Highly credible communicator with strong influencing and leadership presence
* Experience within health, beauty or personal care categories would be advantageous
* University degree or equivalent in a commercially related discipline preferred
This role offers the opportunity to take full ownership of a major UK & Ireland commercial organisation within a globally recognised consumer goods business, driving growth across some of the most important retail partnerships in the market.