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- Tasks: Lead growth and account development for key UK retail partners.
- Company: Join John Cotton UK, a leader in sustainable sleep innovation with over 100 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a values-led culture, full P&L responsibility, and the chance to shape strategy.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact in a forward-thinking business focused on quality and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in National Account Management and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: This role requires several days of office contact in West Yorkshire.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Please Note- The role will require several days office contact in West Yorkshire.
We are devoted to perfecting our products to make sure the great British public gets the best night’s sleep ever. John Cotton UK is one of the most established names in UK textiles — a category leader in sustainable sleep innovation. We are the UK’s leading supplier of mattress components and one of Europe’s largest pillow and duvet manufacturers.
A proud family business founded in 1916, we’ve spent over 100 years innovating in fibre technology, including recycled and repurposed materials; cleverly pioneering fibre technology from our Head Office in Mirfield. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability runs through everything we do — with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and future growth.
Our culture is underpinned by our Core Values:
- Delight Customers
- Excel in Quality
- Rigorous Integrity
- Integrated Teamwork
- Ambitiously Innovative
- Passionate About Sustainability
We’re now looking for a commercially driven Senior Business Manager – Retail to lead growth and account development across key UK retail partners.
The Opportunity
As the Senior Business Manager- Retail, you will take full ownership of one of your leading Retail Customers, with responsibility for strategy, sales performance, relationship development, and long-term growth. You’ll work cross-functionally to lead customer plans, coordinate internal delivery, and drive innovation through seasonal and promotional NPD. This is a high-impact commercial role with full P&L responsibility, excellent visibility, and the chance to make a measurable difference in a values-led, forward-thinking business.
The Role Will Focus On:
- Managing and growing national retail accounts with full commercial responsibility
- Developing and implementing tailored growth strategies by customer
- Leading customer communication across buying, merchandising, and technical functions
- Delivering account profitability through costing and profit analysis by product range
- Leading seasonal NPD and Branded promotional launches in line with internal critical paths
- Conducting market and gap analysis to support customer category development
- Building internal alignment across supply chain, production, NPD, marketing, and finance
- Managing forecasting accuracy with support from internal planning functions
- Providing structured performance feedback to senior customer stakeholders
- Leveraging wider group resources to support efficiency and sales growth
Key Drivers
- Deliver strategic account growth and long-term commercial value
- Own full P&L responsibility across multiple retail partnerships
- Coordinate cross-functional delivery across internal teams
- Lead critical path and range management for launches and discontinuations
- Use market data to shape promotional, pricing, and NPD strategies
- Be a key voice in shaping future product initiatives by account
Why Join?
- Trusted UK heritage – Over 100 years of quality, innovation, and operational excellence
- Lead with impact – Full account ownership and visibility within the senior leadership team
- Grow in a values-led culture – Collaboration, innovation, and sustainability at the core
- High-impact role – A rare opportunity to shape strategy and drive real growth
- Future-facing business – Strong investment in products, people, and long-term partnerships
Candidate Requirements
We’re seeking a confident, strategic commercial leader with a proven record of delivering in the UK retail environment.
- Strong National Account Management or Key Account experience in Consumer Goods or FMCG
- Full P&L ownership and commercial performance delivery
- Excellent relationship-building skills across buying, merchandising, and tech teams
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage internal delivery
- Analytical mindset with strong forecasting, costing, and pricing skills
- Experience launching and managing seasonal NPD (ideal)
- Positive, proactive, and naturally collaborative
Ready to shape the future of UK retail in a heritage business with fresh ambition? Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.
Please note: We have chosen to work exclusively with PT Executive and 1 other PSL Recruiter; therefore, we kindly ask that other recruiters respect our decision and do not contact us in relation to this role. Thank You.
Contact Detail:
John Cotton Group Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Manager - Retail
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the company's history and values. Understanding John Cotton UK's commitment to sustainability and innovation will help you align your approach and demonstrate your passion for their mission during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the latest trends in the UK retail market, especially in consumer goods and FMCG. Being knowledgeable about market dynamics will allow you to speak confidently about how you can drive growth and innovation in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in account management and P&L ownership. Highlighting measurable outcomes from your previous roles will showcase your ability to deliver results and make a strong case for your candidacy.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Manager - Retail
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in National Account Management or Key Account roles, particularly within the Consumer Goods or FMCG sectors. Emphasise your full P&L ownership and any successful strategies you've implemented.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for sustainability and innovation, aligning with the company's core values. Discuss how your strategic leadership has driven growth in previous roles and how you can bring that expertise to John Cotton UK.
Showcase Relationship-Building Skills: Provide specific examples of how you've built strong relationships across buying, merchandising, and technical teams. This is crucial for the role, so highlight your collaborative approach and any successful cross-functional projects.
Demonstrate Analytical Skills: Include instances where you've used market data to inform pricing, promotional strategies, or NPD initiatives. This will show your analytical mindset and ability to drive account profitability through informed decision-making.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Cotton Group Ltd.
✨Understand the Company Values
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand John Cotton UK's core values: customer delight, quality excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, and sustainability. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples from your past experiences.
✨Showcase Your P&L Experience
As a Senior Business Manager, you'll have full P&L responsibility. Be ready to discuss your previous experience managing P&L, including specific strategies you've implemented to drive profitability and growth in retail accounts.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Leadership
This role requires leading cross-functional teams. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different departments, such as marketing, finance, and supply chain, to achieve common goals and deliver results.
✨Prepare for Market Analysis Questions
Given the focus on market and gap analysis, be ready to discuss how you've used market data to inform your strategies in the past. Think about specific instances where your analytical skills led to successful product launches or promotional strategies.
