At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in major UK grocery and foodservice markets while building impactful business plans.
- Company: Exciting premium chilled foods challenger brand with strong restaurant credibility.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, dynamic team environment, and the chance to shape your own role.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing company where you can truly own the commercial agenda.
- Qualifications: Proven success in UK retail and strong key account leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to build from the ground up in a supportive, ambitious environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Head of Sales Premium Chilled Foods - high growth challenger in London (Hybrid). This is not a maintenance role; it is a build-it, scale-it, own-it opportunity. We’re hiring a Head of Sales for a premium chilled foods challenger brand already supplying many of the UK’s most loved restaurants and now accelerating hard into major retail. The product quality is exceptional, the foundations are strong, and the growth is happening. Now they need the commercial leader who can turn momentum into scale.
The Moment:
- ~£5m turnover today
- Clear trajectory toward £10m+ in the next phase
- 12-person agile team
- Strong operational backbone already in place
- Retail growing fast and becoming a powerful brand driver - with success in major retailers already
Foodservice has built credibility, and retail will build visibility. This role connects the two and turns them into serious growth.
What You’ll Own:
- Drive growth across major UK grocery multiples
- Expand and strengthen foodservice routes-to-market
- Win new listings - and more importantly, scale them
- Build structured, high-impact joint business plans
- Improve rate of sale, margin and distribution
- Set the commercial rhythm: forecasting, account cadence, prioritisation
- Work directly with founders to accelerate the path to £10m+
- Shape the next hires as the sales function expands
What You Bring:
This is for someone who knows how to win and scale in UK retail.
Essential:
- Proven success with major grocery multiples (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Co-op, Waitrose etc.)
- Strong key account leadership: JBPs, rate-of-sale levers, forecasting, commercial negotiation
- Experience navigating foodservice/wholesale routes-to-market
- Evidence of turning distribution into meaningful growth
Highly valuable:
- Challenger or scale-up experience
- Comfort operating without layers, structure or safety nets
- Experience building commercial processes from the ground up
Mindset:
- Founder mentality - you take ownership, not instructions
- Relentless about outcomes
- Energised by stretching targets
- Commercially sharp and customer-obsessed
- Comfortable rolling up your sleeves while setting direction
Working Setup:
- London office (Camden area)
- Hybrid: 2–3 days in-office
- Customer-facing and visible
Why This Is Exciting:
You’re not stepping into a corporate machine. You’re joining a business with outstanding product quality, strong restaurant credibility, growing retail traction, and a clear ambition and plan to double in size quickly. If you’ve been waiting for the role where you can truly own the commercial agenda and build something significant - this is it.
Sales Executive - FMCG Food employer: YF Recruitment
Contact Detail:
YF Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Executive - FMCG Food
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the FMCG food 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!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its products thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around driving growth and building strong relationships with major retailers. Show them you’re the commercial leader they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and highlight any key points from your conversation that showcase your fit for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Executive - FMCG Food
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity to drive growth in the FMCG food sector. Share why this role speaks to you and how you can contribute to our ambitious plans.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in retail and foodservice. We’re looking for someone who knows how to win with major grocery multiples, so be specific about your successes and how they relate to what we’re doing at StudySmarter.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and fluff. Use bullet points if it helps to make your achievements stand out. Remember, we want to see your impact and how you can help us scale!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at YF Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key metrics related to sales growth, market share, and your past achievements. Be ready to discuss how you’ve driven growth in major grocery multiples and what specific strategies you used to achieve those results.
✨Understand the Brand
Dive deep into the company’s product offerings and their unique selling points. Familiarise yourself with their current market position and competitors. This will help you articulate how you can leverage their strengths to drive sales and expand their presence in retail.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think of examples where you’ve successfully navigated challenges in foodservice or retail, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Show Your Founder Mentality
This role requires a proactive approach, so be prepared to discuss how you take ownership of projects and drive results without needing a structured environment. Share examples of how you've built processes from scratch and how you thrive in fast-paced, agile settings.