Customer Development Manager Cheese (Grocery led) Maternity cover

FrieslandCampina; Horsham St. Faith; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy company is seeking a Customer Development Manager to lead the Cheese Channel and grocery customers. Responsibilities include translating strategies into actionable plans, ensuring alignment with brand goals, and driving execution excellence. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in customer management and sales, with strengths in negotiation and strategic planning. This role offers a salary of £65-70k, along with bonuses and a range of benefits including healthcare and pension contributions.

Benefits

12.5% annual bonus

Car allowance of £5,700

Up to 13.7% employer pension contribution

Private medical cover

25 holiday days plus UK bank holidays

Flexible work arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in customer management and sales performance.
• Proficient in executing plans with excellence.
• Skilled in influencing and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead translation of strategy into customer plans.
• Primary contact for grocery customers.
• Monitor and track key metrics for performance.

Skills

Customer management

Sales performance

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Trade spend management

Influencing cross-functional teams

Excellent communication

Fluency in English

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

This role is responsible for leading the Cheese Channel and key grocery customers, translating the Fighting Unit strategy into actionable, data-driven 12Q Channel & Customer Plans. The position ensures full alignment with Brand, Category, and Commercial strategies, and drives execution excellence through customer partnerships, commercial planning, and in-store excellence - with a strong focus on profitable growth and share of wallet expansion.

Start date 1 October 2025

Apply now

Customer Development Manager Cheese (Grocery led) Maternity cover
Apply now

What we ask

• You are experienced in customer management, sales performance, negotiation, strategic planning, and trade spend management at an advanced level.
• You are experienced in managing private label categories
• You are experienced in the grocery retail landscape.
• You are proficient in executing plans with excellence and driving profitable growth.
• You are positive, solution-minded, tenacious, and highly collaborative.
• You are skilled at influencing cross-functional teams and key accounts effectively.
• You are an excellent communicator and able to work under pressure.
• You are comfortable working in a hybrid environment based in London (2-3 days per week).
• You are fluent in English

What we offer

Salary : £65-70k

Bonus: 12.5% annual bonus

Car Allowance: £5,700 per annum

Pension: Up to 13.7% employer contribution (age-dependent)

Healthcare: Private medical cover (BUPA) + Medicash

Death in Service: 4x salary

Group Income Protection Scheme

Holiday: 25 days + 8 UK bank holidays + Birthday off

Flex Benefits:

• Summer Hours (1pm Friday finishes - July/Aug)
• Winter Wellness (2 hours/week for personal wellness - Nov-Jan)
• 4pm Friday finishes (standard weeks)
• £28/month WFH broadband allowance
• Access to 'Help at Hand' wellbeing support for employees & family

Vacancy description

• Channel & Customer Strategy: You lead the translation of the Fighting Unit strategy into data-driven, insight-based Channel & Customer plans, including budgeting, KPIs, and yearly targets for each account.

• Customer Leadership: You are the primary RFC contact for designated grocery customers and ensure cross-functional collaboration to build long-term, strategic relationships.

• Assortment & Pricing: You prioritize Hero SKUs, contribute to price/pack architecture insights (OBPPC), and gather market intelligence to fuel innovation and renovation strategies.

• In-Store Excellence: You lead the execution of Perfect Store programs, including setting distribution targets, integrating execution KPIs into agreements, and overseeing in-store activation.

• Promotional Strategy: You run efficient, high-ROI promotional plans and manage trade term investments to maximize impact and ROI.

• Performance Monitoring: You track key metrics such as volume, value, trade spend, and customer performance; you deliver regular updates and insights to the Sales Director and MT.

• Business Development: You steer Cheese category growth, contribute to the 12Q planning and budgeting process, and act as key liaison between customer needs and internal development teams.

• Sales Forecasting & S&OP: You own the sales forecast process and ensure supply chain KPIs (e.g., forecast accuracy) are met.

Read more

Staying true to who you really are, that is your starting point at FrieslandCampina. Because it is precisely by embracing our differences that we can grow together. We want to create a working environment that allows all employees to bring their best and authentic selves. If who we are suits you, but you're not sure if you're the best fit for the role, we still encourage you to apply so we can help you find the role that fits you best.

Team Details

At FrieslandCampina, (RFC) we work together to improve global nutrition today and tomorrow.

As part of our team, you will directly contribute to our mission and enjoy a warm and motivating work environment where innovation and collaboration are central.

You will have great opportunity to grow and make a difference within a dynamic and international company.