Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
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 flexible hybrid working, generous leave, and lifestyle perks.
- Why this job: This is a career-defining role with potential for growth to Commercial Director.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG leadership, managing major retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury’s required.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape strategy in a supportive, high-trust culture.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ 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:
- 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
- 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) (Cheltenham) employer: JR United Kingdom
Contact Detail:
JR United Kingdom Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Channel Director – Grocery (South UK) (Cheltenham)
✨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 within the Southern UK grocery market. Understanding the competitive landscape 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 you're applying to. Understanding their products and how they fit into the grocery landscape will allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Channel Director – Grocery (South UK) (Cheltenham)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in FMCG and grocery sales, particularly with major retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your achievements and leadership capabilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Discuss your strategic vision for leading a grocery sales team and how your past experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your experience in managing large teams and driving performance. Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in complex environments and delivered against challenging targets.
Highlight Commercial Acumen: Demonstrate your understanding of the grocery market and your ability to build relationships with key retail partners. Mention any experience you have with forecasting, tracking, and decision-making processes that contribute to commercial success.
How to prepare for a job interview at JR United Kingdom
✨Understand the Company and Its Brands
Before the interview, take time to research the global drinks group and its brand portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their market position, key competitors, and recent developments in the grocery sector. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and ability to contribute strategically.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the FMCG sector, particularly in managing large accounts like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Highlight your achievements in driving performance and how you’ve developed high-performing teams, as this role requires strong leadership skills.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss your approach to developing long-term Joint Business Plans (JBP) and how you would execute these across major Southern retailers. Think about how you can bring rigour and commercial excellence to tracking and forecasting, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Board-Level Discussions
Since this role involves building relationships with key retail partners and representing your channel internally, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with board-level stakeholders and influence category and brand strategy.
