Commercial Strategy & Planning Manager in Uxbridge
Commercial Strategy & Planning Manager

Commercial Strategy & Planning Manager in Uxbridge

Uxbridge Full-Time 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive brand initiatives and deliver commercial plans for a leading beverage company.
  • Company: Join Suntory, a top global soft drinks company with beloved brands.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment, career growth, and work-life balance.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that shapes market strategies.
  • Qualifications: Experience in commercial planning or channel strategy, strong analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.

Who We Are
Suntory is a fast moving, agile and entrepreneurial business that is home to some of the nations most loved brands. The Suntory Group is one of the largest soft drinks companies and among the world’s leading consumer products companies. We offer a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages enjoyed by millions across the globe.

About your role
You play a critical role in delivering the commercialisation of brand and business initiatives for your channel. You shape channel‑ready plans, translate strategy into action, and ensure we deliver in‑year performance. You provide the channel lens within the Mid-Term Planning and Annual Operating Plan cycles and execute Go‑to‑Market plans that land flawlessly in‑market. You work cross‑functionally to connect brand ambition to customer reality, driving sustainable growth.

What You'll Do

  • In‑Year Performance Delivery - Lead the agenda to deliver in‑year financial and execution targets for your channel. Identify growth opportunities through analysis of promotional, pricing, pack and distribution plans. Highlight channel risks and gaps, proposing corrective actions and rallying cross‑functional teams to execute. Monitor channel performance, competitor activity and customer behaviour, ensuring the business remains agile.
  • Annual Commercial Plan & MTP Input - Represent your channel in the annual commercial planning process. Translate brand and portfolio ambitions into channel‑specific building blocks. Develop commercial business cases and success criteria for initiatives within your channel. Provide insight into customer dynamics, retailer trends and channel opportunities to shape the strategic plan.
  • Go‑to‑Market Planning - Lead the development and delivery of Go‑to‑Market plans for your channel (NPD, hero SKUs, pack/format recommendations). Act as the key commercial contact for all in‑year brand initiatives. Set channel and customer targets, establishing clear KPIs, measurement and tracking routines. Coordinate cross‑functional execution and ensure excellence across visibility, availability and activation.
  • Channel Strategy (CS&P Pillar) - Support the development and evolution of the overarching channel strategy and segmentation framework. Identify opportunities and articulate the revenue levers most relevant for your channel (pack, price, promo, terms, distribution, visibility), in partnership with RGM and Category. Feed into channel blueprints and align stakeholders around channel‑specific execution principles.
  • Perfect Store & PICOS - Support delivery of Perfect Store and PICOS standards for your channel. Track execution in customers and physical/digital environments, identifying opportunities to improve. Engage Field Sales, Activation and Customer teams to close gaps.
  • Cross‑Functional Collaboration - Work closely with Marketing, Category Development, RGM, Sales Strategy & Planning, Finance, Supply Chain and Field Activation. Bring the voice of your channel into cross‑functional forums and influence decision‑making with evidence‑based recommendations. Ensure the business understands channel‑specific challenges, risks and opportunities.
  • Commercial Communication & Influence - Build compelling sell‑in and internal communication materials to align teams and influence stakeholders. Provide clarity and direction on commercial expectations, customer behaviours and strategic priorities.

What's in it for you
Joining Suntory isn’t just about taking on a role, it’s about embarking on a career journey. You have the opportunity to work with talented, inspiring and authentic leaders and have the freedom to dream big and go for it (Yatte Minahare). At Suntory you’ll find a supportive work environment that values work life balance and that will help you realise your full potential and grow for good. Our People and Culture team are a team that genuinely care about creating a great experience for our employees and we would love you to be part of it.

What You need to be successful

  • Strong commercial understanding, ideally with experience in account management, commercial planning or channel strategy.
  • Ability to build financially sound and strategically aligned commercial proposals.
  • Strong influencing skills: able to bring cross‑functional teams on the journey.
  • Experience in FMCG across at least one major channel.
  • Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with confidence partnering with stakeholders at all levels.
  • Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret data and convert into actionable channel plans.
  • Highly organised, resilient and motivated to deliver results.

Our DEI Commitment
At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic. Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.

Commercial Strategy & Planning Manager in Uxbridge employer: Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

Suntory is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, encouraging employees to dream big and realise their full potential. With a strong focus on work-life balance, professional growth opportunities, and a commitment to diversity, Suntory provides a supportive environment where talented individuals can thrive while contributing to the success of some of the nation's most beloved brands.
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

Contact Detail:

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Strategy & Planning Manager in Uxbridge

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. 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 culture. Understand their products and strategies, especially in the FMCG space. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested in Suntory.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've driven results in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Suntory team and ready to contribute to our mission of Growing for Good.

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Strategy & Planning Manager in Uxbridge

Commercial Understanding
Account Management
Commercial Planning
Channel Strategy
Financial Proposal Development
Influencing Skills
FMCG Experience
Communication Skills
Storytelling Skills
Stakeholder Engagement
Analytical Capability
Data Interpretation
Organisational Skills
Resilience
Motivation to Deliver Results

Some tips for your application 🫡

Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role and what Suntory is all about. Dive into the job description and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you tailor your application and show us you're the right fit!

Be Clear and Concise: When you're putting together your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to see your skills and experiences shine through without any fluff. Remember, less is often more!

Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for the role and the company come through in your writing. Share why you're excited about the opportunity at Suntory and how you can contribute to our mission. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in what we do!

Check Your Work: Before hitting send, give your application a good once-over. Look out for typos and grammatical errors – they can be a real turn-off. A polished application shows us that you care about the details and are serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

✨Know Your Numbers

Make sure you brush up on your financial acumen. Understand key metrics related to commercial performance, such as sales growth, market share, and profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.

✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience

Prepare examples that highlight your ability to work with different teams. Discuss how you've collaborated with marketing, sales, and finance to achieve common goals. This will demonstrate your understanding of the importance of cross-functional collaboration in delivering successful channel strategies.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Market Trends

Stay updated on current trends in the FMCG sector, especially those affecting the beverage industry. Be prepared to share insights on competitor activity and customer behaviour, and how these factors can influence Suntory's channel strategy.

✨Craft Compelling Stories

Practice telling stories that illustrate your achievements and how you've influenced stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for interviewers to see the impact of your contributions.

Commercial Strategy & Planning Manager in Uxbridge
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I
Location: Uxbridge

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