Head of Retail
Location: Hertfordshire
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive + Benefits + Leadership Progression Opportunity
We are seeking a commercially driven and strategically minded Head of Retail to join our senior leadership team. This high-impact role holds full P&L accountability for a major retail portfolio valued at circa £60 million, spanning Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and Iceland. With a clear pathway to potential board-level involvement, this role is ideal for an ambitious leader who brings experience from both food manufacturing and retail.
You will be the primary commercial voice of the business to our retail partners shaping growth strategies, managing key relationships, and driving profitable outcomes across a dynamic, fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and manage all aspects of the retail commercial relationship, acting as the senior point of contact for Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and Iceland.
* Own full P&L responsibility across the retail portfolio, driving profitable growth and sustainable account performance.
* Identify and lead new commercial opportunities, securing business wins and deepening long-term partnerships with key customers.
* Maintain strong day-to-day relationships with retail counterparts, acting as a trusted advisor and problem solver.
* Partner with NPD and Innovation teams to shape and deliver successful new product launches, attending all relevant development sessions and ensuring critical path ownership.
* Ensure all retail-related project timelines, briefs, volumes, and responsibilities are clearly communicated and aligned across internal teams.
* Support and lead compelling commercial proposals with robust pricing, category insights, and market data.
* Oversee stock management, forecast alignment, and promotional tracking to optimise availability and margin.
* Collaborate with Technical and Operations teams to address quality concerns and customer complaints, driving fast resolution and root cause closure.
* Deliver quarterly business reviews including financial performance, product performance, innovation progress, and future growth plans.
* Ensure the product database is consistently updated and reflective of current retail ranges and business capabilities.
* Drive strategic expansion into other retail and foodservice accounts, using your market knowledge and network to open new doors.
* Support the board and executive team with wider commercial initiatives as required.
What We’re Looking For:
* Proven experience in a senior commercial or account management role within food manufacturing, working directly with major UK retailers.
* Strong commercial acumen with a track record of owning P&L responsibility and driving account growth.
* Clear understanding of food supply chain dynamics, cost structures, and retailer expectations.
* Comfortable working cross-functionally with NPD, Technical, Operations, and Finance teams to deliver end-to-end commercial solutions.
* Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to engage credibly at all levels both internally and externally.
* Strategic thinker with hands-on drive able to balance daily operations with long-term planning.
* Highly resilient, responsive, and comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
* Experience with chilled food, ambient or frozen categories is advantageous.
Why Join Us?
* Join a high-performing, values-led food business with a strong track record and ambitious growth plans.
* Be part of the senior leadership team with direct influence over company direction and retail strategy.
* Genuine scope to progress to board-level in line with business needs and personal impact.
* Work in a collaborative, commercially astute team where innovation, pace, and passion for food come together.