Channel Director – Grocery (South UK)

JR United Kingdom; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading global drinks group as the Channel Director for Grocery in Ipswich, overseeing Southern grocery accounts including Tesco and Sainsbury’s. This strategic leadership role offers the opportunity to drive significant revenue and influence the company's direction while leading a high-performing team in a supportive culture with flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Product allowance and lifestyle perks

Qualifications

• Experience managing Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
• Track record of leading large teams in complex grocery accounts.
• Ability to deliver against targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing grocery sales team.
• Own long-term JBP strategy across major Southern retailers.
• Represent your channel internally and shape category strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Relationship management

Strategic planning

Job description

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Channel Director – Grocery (South UK), Ipswich

Client:

New Chapter Consulting

Location:

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

7

Posted:

07.06.2025

Expiry Date:

22.07.2025

Job Description:

Strategic Leadership Role in a Global Drinks Group

We’re hiring on behalf of a market-leading global drinks business with an exceptional brand portfolio and deep commercial partnerships across the UK retail landscape.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of the company’s largest UK channel, leading strategy and delivery across Southern Grocery accounts – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, and Majestic. It’s a senior leadership role with a team of 9 (including experienced controllers), and direct accountability for nearly a third of total UK revenue.

The Role

This is not a day-to-day account manager position. It’s a strategic, high-impact leadership role reporting into the Commercial Director – ideal for someone with the commercial edge and ambition to be the next in that role.

Your focus will be to:

• Lead and develop a high-performing grocery sales team
• Own long-term JBP strategy and execution across all major Southern retailers
• Build board-level relationships with key retail partners
• Represent your channel internally, working cross-functionally to shape category and brand strategy
• Bring rigour and commercial excellence to tracking, forecasting, and decision making

The Ideal Fit

We're looking for an experienced FMCG commercial leader with:

• Deep expertise in managing Tesco and Sainsbury’s
• A track record of leading large teams across complex grocery accounts
• Proven ability to deliver against stretching targets in competitive categories
• Gravitas, clarity, and a natural presence with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience in alcohol is a plus, but not essential – what matters most is capability, ambition, and commercial sharpness

What’s on Offer

• Flexible hybrid working (1–2 office days/month)
• Generous annual leave, birthday off, early Friday finishes
• Product allowance and lifestyle perks
• A supportive, high-trust culture where performance and potential are recognised

This is a career-defining opportunity to take the lead on the UK’s most commercially significant channel within a high-growth global brand house. If you’re ready to step into a bigger role – or want a clear pathway to Commercial Director – this is your moment.