Regional Manager - UK & Ireland

Avomind; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global pet food manufacturer is seeking a highly experienced Regional Manager to drive sales growth and manage operations across the UK & Ireland. This senior role encompasses full P&L accountability and requires strategic leadership combined with commercial expertise. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of sales leadership experience in the pet food sector, strong negotiation skills, and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. The role includes developing strategies, managing key relationships, and ensuring alignment with European business objectives.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years’ sales leadership experience in the pet food industry.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with international teams.
• Strong track record in managing major retail and distribution accounts.
• Willingness to travel regularly within the UK, Ireland, and Europe.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the UK & Ireland sales strategy.
• Achieve annual revenue, profit, and market share targets.
• Lead high-level negotiations with retail chains and distributors.
• Plan and execute brand campaigns in collaboration with the European team.
• Drive cross-functional projects to maximize efficiency.

Skills

Sales leadership experience in the pet food industry

Negotiation and relationship management skills

Analytical mindset

Commercial awareness

Fluent in English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field

Tools

MS Office skills

Job description

Overview

Our client is a leading global pet food manufacturer, is seeking a highly experienced, results-driven Regional Manager to lead their operations in the UK & Ireland. This senior role carries full P&L accountability, driving sales growth, market share, and brand presence in one of their most important regions.

The ideal candidate will combine strategic leadership with hands-on commercial expertise, building strong partnerships with retailers and distributors, while fostering a close and collaborative relationship with the European headquarters and cross-functional leaders to ensure aligned goals, knowledge sharing, and best practice implementation.

Purpose of the Role

To develop, maintain, and grow long-term relationships with key customers, distributors, and partners across the UK & Ireland. The Regional Manager will define and implement strategies that ensure brand consistency, market growth, and sustainable profitability, while aligning with their overall European business objectives. A key aspect of this role is close collaboration with the Managing Director, other country managers, and functional heads (Marketing, Supply Chain & Logistics, Finance, HR) to ensure integrated planning, operational excellence, and seamless execution across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership

• Develop and execute the UK & Ireland sales strategy in line with European objectives
• Achieve annual revenue, profit, and market share targets
• Lead high-level negotiations with retail chains, distributors, and other key partners
• Provide accurate sales forecasts and deliver against budget commitments
• Actively contribute to European leadership meetings, sharing local insights to shape regional strategies.

Brand & Marketing Management

• Plan and execute impactful brand and promotional campaigns, in-store and online in close collaboration with the European marketing team
• Ensure all activities comply with brand guidelines and protect intellectual property
• Use market and consumer insights to guide product positioning and marketing spend
• Work closely with the Logistics & Supply Chain departments to ensure timely, successful product launches.

Market Development & Expansion

• Identify and secure new business opportunities in the pet food sector
• Launch new products with strong retail activation and promotional support
• Represent our client at trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events

Operational Excellence & HEADQUARTER (HQ) Alignment

• Maintain close, transparent communication with HQ to ensure alignment on strategy, priorities, and performance metrics
• Monitor competitor activity and provide regular market intelligence to HQ and relevant department heads
• Drive cross-functional projects in cooperation with Marketing, Logistics & Supply Chain, and Finance to maximise efficiency and customer satisfaction
• Foster a collaborative, solution-focused working culture between the UK & Ireland, teams and headquarters, ensuring shared successes and alignment on strategic priorities

Essential Qualifications & Skills

• 7–10 years’ sales leadership experience in the pet food industry (FMCG experience an advantage)
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with international teams and cross-functional leaders
• Proven track record in managing major retail and distribution accounts
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and business development skills
• Analytical mindset with experience in market research and data-driven decision-making
• Self-motivated, commercially astute, and results-oriented
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); advanced MS Office skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
• Willingness to travel regularly within the UK, Ireland, and Europe
• Full, clean UK or Irish driving licence

Key Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Drive for results and accountability
• Customer focus and relationship building
• Strong planning and prioritisation skills
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities
• Team collaboration and stakeholder engagement