Advert:
Role: Customer Manager
Location: Home-based (UK) with occasional travel
We’re looking for a commercially driven and ambitious Customer Manager to take full ownership of key Co-op customer accounts. This is a high-impact role where you’ll lead the day-to-day commercial management of your portfolio, delivering sustainable and profitable growth across our brands.
You’ll be responsible for achieving Net Sales Value (NSV) targets across multiple categories, leading all aspects of trading activity including promotional planning, forecasting, CPI delivery, and annual terms negotiations. With full P&L accountability, you’ll play a key role in driving performance while ensuring excellent customer service and strong, lasting relationships.
Working cross-functionally, you’ll collaborate with teams across Category, Marketing, NPD, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver best-in-class customer plans aligned with both business and customer strategies.
Key Responsibilities
1. Own and manage the customer portfolio, delivering against Sales, Profit, Distribution, and NPD targets
2. Develop and execute Joint Business Plans (JBPs), reviewing performance and adapting to opportunities
3. Lead forecasting, reporting, and performance analysis, providing actionable insights
4. Plan and deliver promotional and shopper activation programmes aligned to marketing strategy
5. Take full ownership of P&L, ensuring profitable growth and effective trade spend management
6. Build strong relationships at buyer level and across customer organisations
7. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless execution of plans and excellent service levels
8. Maintain a strong understanding of the market, customer strategy, and competitor activity
What We’re Looking For
9. Degree-level education (or equivalent experience)
10. Proven FMCG sales experience, ideally within a blue-chip environment
11. Experience managing Joint Business Plans and customer negotiations
12. Background across branded and/or own label products (food categories preferred)
13. Strong commercial acumen with a results-driven mindset
14. Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
15. Skilled negotiator with experience using structured frameworks
16. High proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
17. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Key Skills & Attributes
18. Strong trading and commercial planning capability
19. Analytical mindset with attention to detail
20. Ability to identify risks and opportunities and act decisively
21. Collaborative approach with cross-functional teams
22. Committed to delivering against targets and business objectives
Role Scope
23. Full P&L responsibility for customer portfolio (c. £10–15m NSV)
24. Accountability for sales value, volume, and trade investment
25. Management of promotional spend and customer budgets
26. Regular performance reporting and insight delivery
27. Potential line management responsibility depending on account scope
Working Conditions
28. Home-based with regular UK travel
29. Visits to customer head offices, factories, and route-to-market locations
30. Occasional overnight stays required
Why Join Us?
This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a high-profile account within a fast-paced FMCG environment. You’ll have real autonomy, strong cross-functional support, and the chance to make a measurable impact on both customer success and business growth.
Qualifications
Benefits
Not Specified