Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships in Saint Albans
Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships

Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships in Saint Albans

Saint Albans Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale retail and strategic partnerships for a global FMCG brand.
  • Company: Join a dynamic global FMCG business based in St Albans.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape a new channel.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving innovative strategies and building strong partnerships.
  • Qualifications: Proven sales leader with experience in retail, foodservice, or FMCG.
  • Other info: Opportunity to develop a high-performing team and own P&L responsibilities.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Have you built and scaled a retail or out-of-home channel where the strategy, structure, and growth roadmap did not already exist? Can you demonstrate how you’ve converted consumer insight and brand partnerships into commercially material, multi-channel growth? Are you ready to take full ownership of a complex P&L while leading, developing, and holding teams accountable in a high-growth, evolving environment?

MB are partnering with a global FMCG business, looking for a Head of Retail and Strategic Partnerships. Permanent role. Based in St Albans. We are seeking a high-calibre commercial leader to build and scale a high-growth retail and out-of-home portfolio across branded, private label, and wholesale partnerships. This role will define and deliver a category-leading retail strategy, unlocking new routes to market while accelerating performance across existing strategic accounts.

Operating at the intersection of retail, foodservice, and wholesale, the role has full ownership of strategy, execution, and P&L delivery, with responsibility for developing a high-performing team and deepening partnerships with some of the UK & Ireland’s most recognised consumer brands. This is a rare opportunity to shape a relatively new channel within the business, delivering sustainable growth through insight-led selling, brand collaboration, and commercial excellence.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Create and execute an end-to-end retail and out-of-home growth strategy in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Identify and secure new business opportunities across Grocery, Convenience, and Out-of-Home channels.
  • Drive expansion across both branded and private label propositions.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of National Account Managers, building capability and succession.
  • Set clear objectives, performance standards, and accountability across channels.
  • Full P&L responsibility, delivering ambitious growth targets with strong commercial discipline.
  • Own forecasting accuracy and performance tracking across all key value drivers, including:
  • Core product volume
  • Equipment and solutions
  • Servicing and recurring revenue
  • On-the-go formats and unattended retail
  • Ancillary and complementary products
  • Build and strengthen senior-level relationships with strategic partners.
  • Work closely with Marketing to translate consumer insight into compelling customer propositions.
  • Lead complex, multi-channel negotiations and long-term commercial agreements.
  • What We’re Looking For:
    • A proven senior sales leader with strong commercial and strategic acumen.
    • Demonstrated success in building and scaling businesses across retail, foodservice, wholesale, or FMCG environments.
    • Comfortable operating across multiple routes to market, including Grocery, Convenience, Multiples, and Out-of-Home.
    • Strong track record of:
    • Winning new business of scale
    • Developing and implementing growth strategies
    • Managing complex P&Ls
    • Leading and developing high-performing teams
  • Highly effective influencer, able to operate at Board and senior stakeholder level.
  • Data-driven, numerate, and commercially astute.
  • Experienced in brand-led, category, and solution-based selling.
  • Tenacious, resilient, and growth-oriented, with a strong customer and consumer mindset.
  • For more information, please contact Alice Redmond.

    Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships in Saint Albans employer: MacGregor Black

    Join a dynamic global FMCG business in St Albans, where you will have the opportunity to lead and shape a high-growth retail and out-of-home portfolio. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and personal development, providing you with the tools and support to excel in your role while driving sustainable growth through strategic partnerships. With a focus on employee growth and a commitment to excellence, we offer a rewarding environment for ambitious leaders ready to make a significant impact.
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    Contact Detail:

    MacGregor Black Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships in Saint Albans

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to show them that you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit for their team!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your achievements and how they relate to the role of Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to build confidence and ensure you come across as the strong commercial leader they’re looking for.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s make this happen!

    We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships in Saint Albans

    Retail Strategy Development
    P&L Management
    Cross-Functional Collaboration
    Business Development
    Team Leadership
    Accountability
    Negotiation Skills
    Consumer Insight Analysis
    Commercial Acumen
    Growth Strategy Implementation
    Relationship Building
    Data-Driven Decision Making
    Influencing Skills
    Resilience
    Customer-Centric Mindset

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships role. Highlight your experience in building and scaling retail channels, and don’t forget to showcase any successful partnerships you've developed. We want to see how you’ve turned insights into growth!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your journey in the FMCG space and how you’ve driven multi-channel growth. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you’ve coached and developed teams in the past, and how you’ve set clear objectives and accountability. We love seeing strong leaders!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

    How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black

    ✨Know Your Numbers

    As a candidate for the Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships, you need to be comfortable with P&L management. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've driven growth through data-driven decisions in previous roles.

    ✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

    Prepare to articulate your approach to building and scaling retail strategies. Think about specific examples where you've identified new business opportunities or developed successful partnerships, and be ready to share these insights during the interview.

    ✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

    This role requires leading a high-performing team, so be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share examples of how you've coached and developed teams in the past, and how you've set clear objectives and accountability.

    ✨Understand the Market Landscape

    Familiarise yourself with the current trends in the FMCG sector, especially within retail and out-of-home channels. Being able to discuss market dynamics and how they impact strategy will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also passionate about the industry.

    Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships in Saint Albans
    MacGregor Black
    Location: Saint Albans
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    • Head of Retail & Strategic Partnerships in Saint Albans

      Saint Albans
      Full-Time
      72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.)
    • M

      MacGregor Black

      50-100
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