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- Tasks: Lead and scale our Food & Beverage sales across major UK retailers.
- Company: Dynamic FMCG company with strong growth ambitions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and high autonomy.
- Why this job: Shape the future of our Food & Beverage portfolio in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 8-12+ years in FMCG with strong retail relationships and leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence strategy and drive sustainable growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking a driven, commercially focused Head of Sales with deep experience in the UK FMCG Food & Beverage market, including established relationships with UK supermarket chains and convenience retail groups. This role is responsible for scaling our food and beverage portfolio across major national and regional retailers, wholesalers, cash & carry groups, and FMCG distributors. The focus is on driving distribution, visibility, profitability, and sustainable growth across all channels. The ideal candidate brings strong FMCG Food & Beverage leadership experience, a proven ability to influence senior buying teams, and the commercial acumen to lead negotiations, strategy, and execution at a national level.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and deliver the UK sales strategy for the Food & Beverage portfolio
- Drive national distribution and revenue growth across grocery, convenience, wholesale, and foodservice
- Lead and grow relationships with major supermarket buyers, category managers, and senior retail stakeholders
- Identify, pitch, and secure new business opportunities with national and regional retail partners
- Negotiate and manage pricing, promotions, JBPs, listings, margins, and trade spend
- Ensure strong product availability, shelf presence, planogram compliance, and in-store execution
- Oversee forecasting, demand planning, and stock flow in collaboration with supply chain teams
- Analyse sales performance, category trends, competitor activity, and shopper insights
- Work closely with Marketing and Trade Marketing teams to deliver impactful in-store activations and product launches
- Lead, mentor, and develop the national sales and account management team
Experience, Skills & Background
- 8–12+ years’ experience in FMCG, with a strong focus on Food & Beverages
- Proven relationships with UK supermarket buyers or category managers
- Strong understanding of UK FMCG retail structures, buying cycles, and promotional mechanics
- Demonstrated success in opening new retail accounts and scaling distribution in competitive food categories
- Experience managing national accounts, distributors, and wholesale partners
- Commercially astute with strong analytical capability and P&L ownership
- Confident leader with the ability to influence at board, buyer, and store level
Highly Desirable
- Experience across branded and/or private label food & beverage products
- Exposure to chilled, frozen, or ambient food categories
- Background in scaling FMCG brands or fast-growth businesses
What’s On Offer
- Competitive senior-level salary + performance-based bonus
- High level of autonomy and strategic influence
- Opportunity to lead and shape the UK Food & Beverage sales function
- Entrepreneurial FMCG environment with strong growth ambitions
Head of Sales - FMCG (Food and Beverages) employer: UNIQUE WHOLESALE & DISTRIBUTION LIMITED
Contact Detail:
UNIQUE WHOLESALE & DISTRIBUTION LIMITED Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sales - FMCG (Food and Beverages)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the FMCG Food & Beverage scene. Attend industry events, trade shows, or even local meet-ups. Building relationships with supermarket buyers and category managers can give you a leg up when it comes to landing that Head of Sales role.
✨Showcase Your Success Stories
When you're chatting with potential employers, make sure to highlight your past achievements. Talk about how you've driven distribution and revenue growth in previous roles. We want to hear about those successful negotiations and how you’ve influenced senior buying teams!
✨Research, Research, Research
Before any interview, dive deep into the company’s portfolio and their position in the market. Understand their competitors and what makes them tick. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your pitch to show how you can drive their sales strategy forward.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sales - FMCG (Food and Beverages)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Sales role. Highlight your experience in the UK FMCG Food & Beverage market and any established relationships with supermarket chains. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven distribution and revenue growth in previous positions. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate your success in scaling FMCG brands or managing national accounts. We love seeing quantifiable results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UNIQUE WHOLESALE & DISTRIBUTION LIMITED
✨Know Your Market Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the UK FMCG Food & Beverage market. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and recent news. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful conversations about the industry.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Highlight your established relationships with UK supermarket chains and convenience retail groups. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how these connections have led to successful negotiations or partnerships in the past.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with P&L ownership and how you've driven profitability in previous roles. Use concrete examples to illustrate your ability to influence senior buying teams and lead strategic initiatives.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Think about your approach to scaling a food and beverage portfolio. Be prepared to outline your sales strategy and how you would drive distribution and visibility across various channels. This will show that you're not just a doer, but a strategic thinker.
