Lead Marketplace Strategic Acquisition Manager

Tesco; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supermarket and technology company in Welwyn Garden City is seeking a Lead Marketplace Strategic Acquisition Manager. This role focuses on building and managing high-performing teams while identifying and onboarding quality sellers to enhance the Tesco Marketplace. With responsibilities ranging from managing seller lifecycles to strategic partner relationships, candidates should possess strong commercial acumen, excellent communication skills, and a thorough understanding of e-commerce. The position allows for a flexible work arrangement.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary

Holiday starting at 25 days plus personal day

Private medical insurance

26 weeks maternity and adoption leave at full pay

Free 24/7 virtual GP service

Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing end‑to‑end partnerships.
• Experience using data and insights to prioritise acquisition.
• Experience in e‑commerce or retail, marketplace experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full seller lifecycle within the Online Marketplace team.
• Maintain a strong, strategically prioritised pipeline of new sellers.
• Sign new sellers to the Tesco Marketplace platform.
• Identify new product and category growth opportunities.
• Manage seller accounts to deliver agreed commercial outcomes.

Skills

Strong understanding of online/marketplace business models and commercial economics

Proven commercial acumen with confidence pitching to sellers

Strong programme/project management skills

Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution

Excellent communication and storytelling skills

Tools

CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot)

Job description

Tesco UK • Shire Park, Kestral Way, Welwyn Garden City • Temporary • Apply by 13-Feb-2026

Marketplace is a key pillar of our ambition to be Easily the Most Convenient grocer by expanding the range of high‑quality 3rd‑party products available alongside customers' core grocery baskets.

As a Lead Marketplace Strategic Acquisition Manager, you will play a critical role in bringing this vision to life. You'll translate our Marketplace strategy into action by identifying, recruiting, and onboarding high‑quality sellers who enhance our overall proposition. You will be accountable for building and managing a high‑performing team of Business Development Managers, ensuring we deliver a compelling assortment for customers while driving growth and achieving our GMV targets.

In this role, you will shape the future of Tesco's Marketplace offering balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on leadership to build a curated, customer‑focused range that supports our long‑term growth plans.

What is in it for you

We're all about the little helps. That's why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you - both in and out of work. Click Here to find out more!

• Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary
• Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance
• 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 years' service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave
• Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing

You will be responsible for

• Leading the full seller lifecycle within the Online Marketplace team from identifying, engaging and recruiting high‑potential sellers aligned to our category strategies, through to managing ongoing seller performance and building long‑term, strategic partner relationships.
• Maintaining a strong, strategically prioritised pipeline of new sellers, using data‑driven insights to ensure the range aligns with our Marketplace growth ambitions.
• Signing new sellers to the Tesco Marketplace platform, working closely with them on range curation, merchandising execution and promotional planning.
• Identifying new product and category growth opportunities based on commercial performance, customer insights and range gaps.
• Managing seller accounts to deliver agreed commercial outcomes and support sellers in improving performance through structured trade and growth planning.
• Partnering with Tesco Commercial teams to shape and execute category‑level strategies that enhance our customer offer.
• Establishing effective governance forums with Commercial teams and owning key relationships with category stakeholders.
• Managing and developing a team of Business Development Managers, coaching them and role‑modelling high standards in sales, negotiation, strategic thinking and partner management.

You will need

• Strong understanding of online/marketplace business models and commercial economics.
• Proven commercial acumen with confidence pitching to sellers and negotiating terms.
• Strong programme/project management skills and the ability to deliver at pace.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• Experience using data and insights to prioritise acquisition and drive performance.
• Excellent communication, storytelling and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence effectively at all levels.
• Experience in e‑commerce or retail (marketplace/3P experience is a plus).
• Track record of managing end‑to‑end partnerships and delivering cross‑functional plans.
• Experience developing strategy, business development pipelines and using CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot).
• Confident representing the business externally, including at events or trade shows.

About us

You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award‑winning mobile network. Truth is, we're all of those things, and much more. Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world. No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues.

At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work. Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely. Whether you're just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we're here to support you. We always welcome a conversation about flexible working, so talk to us throughout your application about how we can support.

We're proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone's welcome. That's why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need support with your application, click here for more information. And if you're interested in joining our team but don't tick every box, don't let that hold you back from applying.