About the Company
Our client is an established soft drinks manufacturer with an enviable track record both UK & Internationally. Promoting taste, authenticity and natural ingredients to its consumers, our client has developed their brands organically into all major channels including:- On Trade, Grocery, Online & International. They pride themselves on having an inclusive culture, where Senior Directors and Colleagues work side by side to achieve their goals. Employees benefit from a friendly and professional environment that remains true to its founding values despite years of success.
About the Role
We are looking to hire a Head of Sales (Grocery Channel) to guide this innovation led drinks supplier through its next period of retail expansion. Reporting to the Group Commercial Director you will play a pivotal role in delivering the commercial offering, liaising with a mix of supermarket customers and internal stakeholders to meet growing consumer demand.
Key Responsibilities
* Relationship Management: Build, nurture, and extend high-value relationships within all major grocery customers Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Co-op & Sainsburys, acting as a trusted partner to drive mutual growth and deliver outstanding commercial results.
* Strategy and Direction of Travel: You will be responsible for writing and implementing the Go-To-Market Strategy within your channel. Can you utilise the resources available and build a winning grocery plan?
* Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: Manage and influence a team of SNAMs, NAMs & NAEs, ensuring alignment and collaboration with wider business functions (Supply Chain, Finance, Category / Brand Marketing & Operations) to achieve shared objectives.
* Complex Joint Business Planning: Develop and execute robust Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align the company-wide strategic goals with customer objectives, leveraging data-driven insights and market trends.
* Commercial Negotiation: Lead top to top negotiations on commercial terms, promotional plans, and pricing to achieve sales, volume, and profit targets while ensuring effective investment decisions and account profitability.
* Account Performance & P&L Management: Oversee full channel P&L, analyse financial metrics, and make informed decisions to maximise profitability and sustainable growth. Circa P&L £145m RSV, with a goal to surpass £200m by 2028.
Qualifications
It is essential that you have a successful track record of building profitable and lasting relationships within top grocery customers. Extensive Tesco or Sainsburys exposure would be preferable but working knowledge of wider retail customers on behalf of a recognised food or drinks manufacturer will be considered.
Required Skills
* Confident Communicator: Demonstrates strong communication skills, able to address conflict constructively and engage in challenging conversations with professionalism and empathy.
* Leadership by Example: Sets high standards for self and others, consistently modelling integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
* Relationship & Rapport Building: Excels at building trust and rapport with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders, fostering collaborative and productive working relationships.
* Organisational & Time Management: Highly organised, with exceptional time management skills; able to prioritise effectively and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
* Analytical & Numerate: Applies analytical thinking and numerical skills to solve problems, make data-driven decisions, and drive commercial success. Candidates with existing supermarket buying or purchasing contacts would also be beneficial.
Preferred Skills
Experience of selling branded food or drink products into major supermarket customers to at least a National Account Controller level is essential in this high profile role. Branded Soft Drinks is a dynamic and pacy category, a previous track record in these markets would be favourable and allow you to get up to speed quicker! The successful candidate must have the ambition and ability to develop into a Sales Director UK&I in a well resourced but agile drinks supplier within the next career step.
Pay Range and Compensation Package
* Basic Salary: Circa £100,000 - £110,000 (DOE)
* Company Car
* Annual Bonus
* Private Health Cover
* Contributory Pension Scheme
* Softer Benefits
Location
The successful candidate will be based from a group head office and manufacturing facilities near Gloucestershire an average of 2-3 days per week. The role will offer the flexibility for home working (Fully Homebased Contract on Offer). You will also be expected to attend retail customer visits and trade events when required.
Interview Process
Screening Calls and Interviews taking place throughout February 2026. Please reach out to info@bluerice.co.uk to register an interest.