Customer Development Manager UK FMCG Grocery

Colgate-Palmolive Company; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer products leader based in Woking is seeking a strategic leader to join their Customer Development Team. This pivotal role involves driving sales and profit growth while managing a Joint Business Plan. The ideal candidate will excel in building business relationships and navigating complex data to create impactful strategies. Join this dynamic team to collaborate across functions and lead innovation. Be part of a company invested in a healthier future for people and pets.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in building influential business relationships.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and negotiation expertise.
• Ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies.

Responsibilities

• Drive budgeted sales and profit growth.
• Develop and manage Joint Business Plan.
• Collaborate with internal teams to drive business solutions.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

P&L management

Job description

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number#168162 - Nationwide, United Kingdom, United Kingdom

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specialising 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.

Location

Woking, Surrey

Reporting to

Customer Development Director

Why Join Our Team?

Join Colgate Palmolive, a global leader investing in your career, our world-renowned brands, and cutting-edge technology. We’re committed to a culture built on Caring, Inclusion, and Courage, providing a place where your decisions make a tangible impact on our business and market position.

Career Growth & Innovation

• World-Class Brands : Partner with iconic brands and contribute to global strategies.
• Impact & Autonomy : Operate in a fast-paced environment with personal accountability to directly influence our day-to-day performance and long-term strategy.
• Future-Ready Workplace : We are investing heavily in new tools and technology, including AI, to empower our teams, streamline processes, and make your role more strategic and fulfilling. You will be at the forefront of commercial innovation.

The Role

As a pivotal member of the Customer Development Team, you will be instrumental in driving budgeted sales and profit growth, shaping a sustainable, mutually prosperous business model, and spearheading innovation within one of our most critical accounts.

What You Will Deliver

Financial & Growth Stewardship : Consistently exceed net sales, margin, and profit targets. You will develop, implement, and actively manage a dynamic Joint Business Plan, taking full ownership of customer forecast volumes, sales, and investment, including meticulous management of the 5P planning process and financial accruals.

Strategic & Commercial Acumen : Leverage sharp commercial instincts to interrogate business performance, swiftly identify critical issues and untapped opportunities, and lead effective resolution and optimization initiatives. You will develop and rigorously implement a forward-thinking 3-year retailer strategy.

Retailer & Shopper Expertise : Cultivate robust external networks to gain unparalleled insights into the retailer landscape. Develop a profound understanding of the client's strategic imperatives and shopper insights, expertly aligning our brands to maximize impact and category growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration : Partner closely with Shopper Development, Category Management, Commercial Strategy, and Brand teams to construct high-performing, people‑centric plans, drive Omni Demand Generation, and implement groundbreaking business solutions. You will build strong internal networks to ensure seamless cross‑functional support and actively shape the overall team strategy.

Who We're Looking For

You are a commercially astute leader with a proven track record of building robust, influential business relationships and delivering highly creative, profitable solutions.

Bright, ambitious, and results‑oriented with exceptional strategic thinking and negotiation prowess.

Adept at identifying growth levers and translating complex data into actionable commercial strategies. You thrive in a fast‑paced, autonomous environment.

Influence & Stakeholder Management : A proven ability to build trust and influence decision‑making at senior levels, both internally and with external customer leadership.

Commercial Expertise : Demonstrable expertise in P&L management, Joint Business Planning (JBP), and a track record of implementing the 5P / 7P framework to deliver year‑on‑year market share growth.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today to join our courageous team!

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, colour, 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 should you require accommodation.