A Taste of the Job
As our National Account & Own Label Development Manager, you’ll sit at the commercial heart of one of the most strategically important growth engines within Quintessential Brands. Covering Aldi, Lidl, and Co-op, alongside the Convenience & Forecourt channel, this is a senior, field-based role with full accountability for delivering profitable revenue, margin growth, and sustainable distribution expansion.
Reporting to the Head of Grocery & Prestige Retail, you’ll blend disciplined strategic account management with proactive new business development and commercially focused innovation. A core part of the role is leading the Own Label NPD agenda across discounter accounts, identifying category gaps, managing tenders, and delivering innovation that converts into long‑term listings and measurable financial return.
This is a role for a commercially sharp operator who thrives in complex, margin‑sensitive retail environments and knows how to turn opportunity into scalable growth.
Your Impact Will Include
Strategic Commercial Leadership – Discounters & Co‑op
* Own the end‑to‑end commercial strategy across Aldi, Lidl and Co‑op.
* Hold full P&L responsibility, including revenue, gross margin and trade investment.
* Develop and deliver Joint Business Plans aligned to retailer strategy.
* Lead annual negotiations on pricing, promotional frameworks and commercial agreements.
* Manage inflation recovery and margin optimisation strategies.
* Identify growth through space expansion, premium SKU introduction and mix optimisation.
* Drive disciplined forecasting and availability management.
Convenience & Forecourt Growth
* Develop and execute a structured new business strategy across Convenience and Forecourt.
* Identify, prospect and convert regional and national operators.
* Secure scalable distribution through symbol groups and buying consortia.
* Develop impulse‑optimised propositions suited to smaller formats.
* Build and manage a robust new business pipeline with clear conversion metrics.
Own Label NPD & Innovation Leadership
* Own the Own Label innovation pipeline for Aldi, Lidl and selected convenience customers.
* Conduct customer gap analysis and range reviews to identify commercially viable NPD opportunities.
* Lead own‑label tender submissions from concept through to launch.
* Develop costed, margin‑accretive propositions aligned to retailer pricing architecture.
* Partner with NPD and Technical teams to deliver projects OTIF.
* Ensure innovation meets agreed ROI thresholds and delivers incremental revenue and margin.
* Conduct post‑launch performance reviews to optimise range and future pipeline.
Commercial & Financial Ownership
* Deliver profitable top‑line growth across a diverse and margin‑sensitive channel mix.
* Optimise pricing architecture and promotional mechanics.
* Manage trade spend with strict ROI discipline.
* Align demand planning with commercial forecasts.
* Analyse performance data to identify risks and opportunities.
* Provide clear reporting on account performance and pipeline health.
Category & Shopper Development
* Build insight‑led selling stories tailored to discounter and convenience formats.
* Support premiumisation within limited‑space retail environments.
* Influence decisions through data and shopper insight.
* Collaborate with marketing to deliver impactful in‑store and retail media activation.
* Ensure Own Label and branded propositions are underpinned by strong category rationale.
A Flavour of the Business
At Quintessential Brands, we’re a unique blend, a fast‑growing global spirits business with over 250 years of distilling heritage. Our award‑winning portfolio spans premium, strategic and commercial brands enjoyed across the UK and internationally.
We operate in a lean, entrepreneurial way, giving our commercial leaders genuine ownership and influence. Joining QB, as we’re known to our friends, means rolling up your sleeves, spotting opportunity, and shaping growth across some of the most competitive retail channels in the market.
The Perfect Serve – A Bit About You
You’re a highly commercial account leader with deep discounter experience and a strong track record in own‑label innovation. You’re confident owning P&L, leading complex negotiations, and building innovation pipelines that deliver long‑term value, not just launches.
You will bring:
* Proven experience managing UK Discounters (Aldi and/or Lidl essential).
* Experience across Convenience or impulse‑led channels (advantageous).
* Demonstrated P&L ownership and margin optimisation success.
* Strong experience leading Own Label NPD and tender processes.
* Commercially sharp negotiation capability in structured retail environments.
* Proven new business development success.
* Strong financial modelling and analytical skills.
* Understanding of route‑to‑market and wholesale models.
* Advanced Excel and PowerPoint capability (Salesforce advantageous).
* WSET qualification is advantageous.
The Garnish – Benefits That Come With the Role
We know strong commercial leadership deserves strong support. We offer:
* Competitive salary and performance‑related bonus
* Company car or car allowance
* Company pension scheme
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Staff product allowance and discounts
The Essence of QB
At Quintessential Brands Group, we proudly continue the legacy of Thomas Dakin, who pioneered quality English gin in 1761. Today, we blend heritage with ambition, building brands and partnerships that win in market and in store.
As National Account & Own Label Development Manager, you’ll play a defining role in delivering profitable growth, sustainable innovation, and long‑term value across the UK’s most demanding retail environments.
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