Customer Development Manager

Colgate-Palmolive; Woking; On-site; GBP 71,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive in the United Kingdom is seeking a Customer Development Manager based in Woking, Surrey. You will lead strategic commercial growth across key retail accounts, drive Joint Business Plans, and deliver growth through data-driven category insights and cross-functional collaboration with Brand Marketing, Category Management, Shopper Development, and other teams.

The role reports to the Customer Development Director and offers a clear path to Senior Commercial leadership within

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of commercial management experience in CPG/FMCG.
• Proven direct account leadership with full P&L responsibility and JBP negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver net sales, margin, and profit targets with end-to-end P&L responsibility.
• Lead development, negotiation, and activation of multi-year JBPs.
• Formulate and execute forward-looking retail account strategies.
• Leverage shopper insights and category trends to strengthen customer relationships.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive demand and outcomes.

Skills

Account leadership

P&L management

5P/7P framework

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field

Job description

Job Number #177069 - Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Job Title: Customer Development Manager

Report to: Customer Development Director

Location: Woking, Surrey

Salary range : 70650 - 78500 £

Role Summary

As a Customer Development Manager reporting to the Customer Development Director, you will serve as the strategic commercial lead driving net sales and profit growth across key retail accounts. In this role, you will lead high-impact customer relationships, negotiate dynamic Joint Business Plans, and leverage data-driven insights to maximize Category & CP performance. You will be the primary architect of sustainable, long-term retailer strategies that elevate brand equity and deliver commercial growth.

Responsibilities

• Financial & Growth Stewardship: Deliver budgeted net sales, margin, and profit targets by taking end-to-end ownership of full P&L, customer forecasting, investment allocation, and 5P planning execution.
• Joint Business Planning: Lead the development, negotiation, and activation of multi-year Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align customer priorities with commercial growth targets.
• Strategic Account Leadership: Formulate and execute forward-looking retail account strategies, proactively identifying growth opportunities and navigating commercial challenges to ensure sustained growth.
• Shopper & Retailer Alignment: Leverage shopper insights, category trends, and competitive analysis to cultivate deep customer relationships and position our portfolio as the category benchmark.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Shopper Development, Category Management, Commercial Strategy, and Brand Marketing teams to execute integrated demand generation plans and deliver optimal commercial outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of commercial management experience within Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) / Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).
• Proven track record of direct account leadership, including full P&L responsibility and multi-year Joint Business Planning (JBP) negotiation.
• Demonstrated expertise using the 5P/7P framework to drive category growth and market share expansion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing top-tier national UK or Ireland retail accounts.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated capability in leveraging advanced analytical tools and commercial data platforms for decision-making.
• Alignment with core principles of Caring, Inclusion, and Courage, with a history of driving cross-functional collaboration and managing senior stakeholder relationships.

Career Pathway

• Commercial Strategy Manager
• Customer Development Director
• Cross functional and International role opportunities

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaxk_eF4utznQoVHlxmL9jVFJbOkM4Oe5CAdKOg-h9EPdLfg/viewform) should you require accommodation.

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