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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing grocery sales team and develop long-term strategies.
- Company: Join a market-leading global drinks business with an impressive brand portfolio.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and lifestyle perks.
- Why this job: This role offers a chance to shape the UK’s largest grocery channel and advance your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG leadership, particularly with Tesco and Sainsbury’s, is essential.
- Other info: This is a strategic role with direct accountability for significant revenue.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
Strategic Leadership Role in a Global Drinks Group
We’re hiring on behalf of a market-leading global drinks business with an exceptional brand portfolio and deep commercial partnerships across the UK retail landscape. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of the company’s largest UK channel, leading strategy and delivery across Southern Grocery accounts – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado and Majestic. It’s a senior leadership role with a team of 9 (including experienced controllers), and direct accountability for nearly a third of total UK revenue.
The Role
This is not a day-to-day account manager position. It’s a strategic, high-impact leadership post reporting into the Commercial Director – ideal for someone with the commercial edge and ambition to be the next in that role.
Your focus will be to:
- Lead and develop a high-performing grocery sales team
- Own long-term JBP strategy and execution across all major Southern retailers
- Build board-level relationships with key retail partners
- Represent your channel internally, working cross-functionally to shape category and brand strategy
- Bring rigour and commercial excellence to tracking, forecasting, and decision making
The Ideal Fit
We're looking for an experienced FMCG commercial leader with:
- Controller/Channel Director/Sales Director-level experience
- Deep expertise in managing Tesco and Sainsbury’s
- A track record of leading large teams across complex grocery accounts
- Proven ability to deliver against stretching targets in competitive categories
- Gravitas, clarity, and a natural presence with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience in alcohol is a plus, but not essential – what matters most is capability, ambition, and commercial sharpness
What’s on Offer
- £100–120k base + 33% bonus
- £7k car allowance, private medical, pension, tech
- Flexible hybrid working (1–2 office days/month)
- Generous annual leave, birthday off, early Friday finishes
- Product allowance and lifestyle perks
- A supportive, high-trust culture where performance and potential are recognised
This is a career-defining opportunity to take the lead on the UK’s most commercially significant channel within a high-growth global brand house. If you’re ready to step into a bigger role – or want a clear pathway to Commercial Director – this is your moment.
Channel Director – Grocery (South UK) employer: New Chapter Consulting
Contact Detail:
New Chapter Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Channel Director – Grocery (South UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience with major retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in grocery sales.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the specific challenges and opportunities facing the grocery sector in the South UK. Understanding the market dynamics will help you articulate your strategic vision during interviews and demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed large teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven performance and achieved targets in complex grocery accounts.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the brand portfolio of the drinks company and think about how you can leverage these brands within the grocery channel. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their products will set you apart as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Channel Director – Grocery (South UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in FMCG and grocery sales. Emphasise your leadership roles, particularly any experience with Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and showcase your achievements in managing large teams and delivering on targets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your strategic vision for the role. Discuss how your background aligns with the responsibilities of leading a high-performing grocery sales team and your approach to building relationships with key retail partners.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated commercial excellence in previous roles. Highlight your experience with tracking, forecasting, and decision-making processes that have led to successful outcomes.
Prepare for Potential Interviews: Anticipate questions related to your leadership style and strategic thinking. Be ready to discuss how you would approach the long-term JBP strategy and execution across major Southern retailers, as well as how you would foster cross-functional collaboration.
How to prepare for a job interview at New Chapter Consulting
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Channel Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare to discuss your vision for the grocery channel and how you would approach long-term Joint Business Plans (JBP) with major retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
This role involves leading a team of nine, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed large teams in the past. Discuss your leadership style and how you motivate and develop high-performing sales teams.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your experience in building board-level relationships with key retail partners. Be prepared to provide specific examples of how you've fostered strong partnerships and navigated complex stakeholder environments.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
The role requires a strong commercial edge, so come equipped with data and examples that showcase your ability to deliver against stretching targets. Discuss your approach to tracking, forecasting, and making data-driven decisions in competitive categories.
