Head of Sales

Actalent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Head of Sales to lead its UK Consumer business in the beauty, skincare and consumer health sectors. This senior role directs commercial strategy across major retail and e-commerce channels with a portfolio of market-leading brands and strong growth history.

You will own sales performance, trade investment and profitability, build senior retailer relationships, and shape future capability while developing a high-performing leadership team.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' commercial experience within FMCG, consumer healthcare, beauty, personal care, or a related sector.
• Proven track record of delivering sustainable commercial growth.
• Experience leading major UK retail and/or e-commerce accounts.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including ownership of budgets and profitability.
• Experience managing managers and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence across functions.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the UK sales and channel strategy.
• Lead customer planning and commercial execution across retail and e-commerce.
• Own sales performance, trade investment, customer contribution, and profitability.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with key retail partners.
• Partner with Finance, Supply Chain, and Marketing to optimise performance.
• Lead forecasting and demand planning activities.
• Develop and coach a high-performing leadership team.

Skills

Retail leadership

E-commerce

Forecasting

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Team development

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Head of Sales to lead our UK Consumer business through its next phase of growth. This is a senior leadership role within a fast-growing business operating in the beauty, skincare and consumer health sectors. With a portfolio of market-leading brands and a track record of sustained double-digit growth, this role offers the opportunity to drive commercial strategy across major retail and e-commerce channels.

You will be responsible for commercial performance across major retail accounts, e-commerce platforms, and strategic channel partners. The role combines sales leadership, customer planning, forecasting, trade investment, profitability, and team development. You'll inherit a strong team while having the opportunity to shape future capability and growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the UK sales and channel strategy.
• Lead customer planning and commercial execution across retail and e-commerce.
• Own sales performance, trade investment, customer contribution, and profitability.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with key retail partners.
• Partner with Finance, Supply Chain, and Marketing to optimise performance.
• Lead forecasting and demand planning activities.
• Develop and coach a high-performing leadership team.

Requirements

• 10+ years' commercial experience within FMCG, consumer healthcare, beauty, personal care, or a related sector.
• Proven track record of delivering sustainable commercial growth.
• Experience leading major UK retail and/or e-commerce accounts.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including ownership of budgets and profitability.
• Experience managing managers and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence across functions.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful, growing business with a portfolio of market-leading consumer brands and significant long-term career development potential.