Retail Development Manager - fixed term contract in Coventry

We are currently recruiting for a Retail Development Manager, on a 12-month, fixed-term contract, to work on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely from home, Monday to Friday. This role would suit someone with the drive and attention to detail to deliver multiple in-store marketing projects and engage with agricultural teams within supermarkets and the wider supply chain on behalf of British farmers.

Supporting the Senior Retail Development Manager, you will manage AHDB's relationship with key named retailers, their processors and media houses to drive consumer demand for British red meat and dairy at the point of purchase, supporting the effective and efficient delivery of AHDB corporate strategy and KPIs. You will proactively build awareness and engagement with AHDB's products and services, working with key accounts and their supply chains to drive greater efficiency, transparency and sustainability.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with some experience of working with retailers who can demonstrate successful relationship development. A thorough understanding of category or commercial account management and retail planning cycles, the ability to build strong relationships and an interest in food or British agriculture is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with internal teams across the organisation to fully maximise and enhance AHDB's retail offering.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key accounts, ensuring regular and sustained engagement with all relevant departments, including commercial, category and agriculture teams to help establish AHDB as a relevant and credible strategic partner.
• Actively undertake budget management to ensure best use of levy funds.
• Evaluate effectiveness of retail engagement activities ensuring value for money, making recommendations for improvement and implement where appropriate.
• Contribute to the development and support the delivery of strategic plans to drive consumer demand for British products.
• Work with retail colleagues to identify and maximise opportunities for cross-sector working and to ensure consistency of approach across campaigns.
• Establish tactical plans, objectives and targets for defined areas of responsibility, which are agreed with the relevant Head of Retail and Education Partnerships, AHDB senior management and sector boards, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development of a single AHDB retail campaigns calendar (rolling 12 month), ensuring opportunities for maximum synergy across sectors and with external partners.
• Manage relationships with external media agencies and processors to ensure optimal effectiveness and efficiency.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of working with retailers and developing relationships with a professional account management approach.
• Good commercial track record, good customer service, and negotiating and influencing skills, including use of category management and understanding of retail planning cycles.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships, both internally and externally, with a collaborative approach to networking.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with sound analytical skills.
• Good project management skills, with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a sharp attention for detail.
• Full UK driving licence, with the flexibility to travel to meetings as and when required.

The benefits:

• 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, to include hybrid working.
• 33 days of annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays).
• Life assurance cover (4x salary).
• A market‐leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General.
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service.
• A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan.
• Recognition awards throughout the year.
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings.

Apply now, or call 024 7693 5722 if you require any further information. Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications. At AHDB, we are committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to include flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.