Head of Grocery

Lime Talent Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing snacking products company in the UK is seeking a Head of Grocery to lead a portfolio of major grocery customers. This role involves developing strategic plans, building customer relationships, and ensuring commercial success through effective account management. Candidates should have proven experience in managing grocery accounts, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. This position offers a salary up to £80k plus bonus, with the opportunity to work from London 2/3 days a week.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing major grocery accounts within FMCG or related consumer-facing industry.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including P&L management.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work strategically while maintaining attention to detail in execution.
• Experience presenting at senior buyer level.
• Strong analytical capabilities and confidence with retailer data systems.
• Previous people management experience preferred, with demonstrable leadership capability.
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a portfolio of major grocery customers.
• Develop strategic customer plans and drive profitable sales growth.
• Own and manage day-to-day relationships with major grocery accounts.
• Build and execute annual joint business plans.
• Monitor and deliver against commercial targets.
• Lead negotiation of commercial agreements.
• Develop long-term strategic account plans for sustainable growth.
• Identify new opportunities for category expansion.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure effective execution.
• Line manage one JNAM providing coaching and support.
• Track, analyse, and report on account performance.

Skills

Managing major grocery accounts

Commercial and financial acumen

Negotiation and relationship-building

Attention to detail in execution

Presenting at senior buyer level

Strong analytical capabilities

Retailer data systems knowledge

Organised and proactive

Job description

Title: Head of Grocery

Location: London (2/3 days a week)

Salary: Up to £80k + Bonus

The Company

The business is a fast-growing organisation that focuses on creating and supplying high-quality snacking products. It prides itself on great taste, simple ingredients, and honest brand stories. Working closely with major retailers, the company introduces products that stand out for their quality and personality. The team is hands-on, friendly, and genuinely passionate about what they do, always looking for ways to make their products and service even better.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior National Account Manager to lead and grow a portfolio of major grocery customers. This role will be responsible for developing strategic customer plans, driving profitable sales growth, and strengthening long-term partnerships with key retailers. Leading one direct report, you will be responsible for delivering best-in-class account management, commercial excellence, and cross-functional alignment.

Customer & Commercial Management

• Own and manage day-to-day relationships with major grocery accounts, acting as the primary commercial contact.
• Build and execute annual joint business plans, including volume forecasting, promotional strategy, pricing, and range optimisation.
• Monitor and deliver against commercial targets including revenue, margin, distribution, and promotional spend.
• Lead negotiation of commercial agreements, promotional plans, and terms of trade.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop long-term strategic account plans to achieve sustainable growth and maximise category performance.
• Identify new opportunities for distribution, innovation listings, and category expansion.
• Use market insights, retailer data, and category analysis to support decision making and drive retailer engagement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure account plans are aligned and executed effectively.
• Partner with Category and Insights teams to drive category management initiatives and build compelling retailer-facing presentations.
• Collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure forecasting accuracy and service level excellence.

Leadership & People Management

• Line manage one JNAM providing coaching, guidance, and development support.
• Foster a high-performance culture and ensure effective workload prioritisation and problem solving.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Track, analyse, and report on account performance, promotional ROI, and commercial KPIs.
• Prepare monthly business updates and retailer meeting reports for senior leadership.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience managing major grocery accounts within FMCG or a related consumer-facing industry.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including P&L management.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work strategically while maintaining attention to detail in execution.
• Experience presenting at senior buyer level.
• Strong analytical capabilities and confidence with retailer data systems (e.g., IRI, Nielsen, Kantar, retailer portals).
• Previous people management experience preferred, but not essential with demonstrable leadership capability.
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.