Business Unit Head Food Service

f'real; Andover; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company seeks a strategic leader to oversee the Food Service Distributors channel across the UK, ensuring robust market delivery and growth. This role demands expertise in relationship management, commercial planning, and a deep understanding of the food industry, contributing to the overall success of the business unit in a competitive landscape.

Qualifications

• Expertise in customer insight delivery and commercial management.
• Ability to develop actionable market strategies.
• Proven leadership in business development and project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK strategy for growth in the Food Service network.
• Develop and implement go-to-market strategies for customers.
• Manage teams to deliver against business unit objectives.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Commercial management

Relationship management

Education

Experience in food industry

Knowledge of grocery sector

Job description

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers, and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants, and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Lead the Food Service Distributors channel across the UK and internationally where appropriate, depending on the nature of the contract. This role has P&L accountability for all production competencies of Rich products, including those available from other markets, across customer brand and branded business. Responsible for delivering sales and profit KPIs and market share growth. This role oversees market strategy, commercial decisions, and the overall delivery of the business unit, ensuring the appropriate approach is taken across channels.

Key Accountabilities/Outcomes

• Design, execute, and deliver the UK strategy for growth across the UK food service network (including international markets if required), as well as creating new routes to market and delivery for our total portfolio across Bakery, TCCS, Pizza.
• Support growth in Food Service in conjunction with the BU Head F’real where opportunities arise, building and delivering the right commercial approach.
• Create and implement the go-to-market strategy across all Food Service customers that delivers clear returns, leading customer delivery against agreed AOP targets.
• Build customer and market insights with the cross-functional team to support short- and long-term strategies aligned with customer AOPs.
• Develop leads and targets in partnership with the Customer Development Manager to pursue new and existing customers that need to meet AOP commitments.
• Lead the cross-functional business team to deliver outcomes across all responsibilities, building a high-performing team.
• Establish a multi-level cross-functional contact strategy across customers and internal teams to ensure full portfolio delivery.
• Maintain a deep understanding of competitors, their advantages, and counter-strategies.
• Develop a 'trusted partnership' strategy that addresses customer problems and delivers value for Rich’s.
• Position as the market’s best custodian of our total portfolio.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Critical

• Expert interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Leadership in customer insight and action creation to deliver returns.
• Ability to build complex business plans, including capital plans and ROI models.
• Proficiency in developing market insights and translating them into actionable strategies across categories and customers.
• Reputation in the grocery industry for customer-centric and commercially successful delivery.
• Ability to manage internal stakeholders at all levels to align on customer needs.
• Expertise in commercial management, customer JBP, and business development.
• Ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Extensive contacts and network within the marketplace.
• Experience managing complex capital ROI projects.
• Deep knowledge of the food industry.
• Proven leadership in JBP development and transformational change with customers.
• Strong understanding of customer needs, voice, and growth plans.

Rich Products Corporation welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process.