Retail Channel Manager

Firstunion; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Firstunion is seeking an on-site Channel Support specialist in the United Kingdom to strengthen wholesale and retail partnerships and ensure optimal merchandising and promotional execution. The role requires proactive relationship management, strong English communication, and the ability to travel regularly with a valid UK driving licence.

You will engage with frontline sales teams and partners to resolve issues, monitor market trends, and support inventory optimization.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail operations, wholesale channel management, or field sales support in FMCG or consumer electronics.
• Strong ownership, self-motivation and resilience with a hands-on approach.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom.
• Fluent English written and spoken.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
• Valid UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support at wholesale partners' premises, ensuring merchandising, visibility, and execution of promotions.
• Visit wholesale and retail partners to understand business needs, strengthen relationships, and improve satisfaction.
• Respond promptly to partner feedback and work with internal teams to resolve product, logistics, and sales issues.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to support sales strategies.
• Collaborate with channel partners to optimize inventory levels and SKU availability.
• Deliver product knowledge and sales training to partners to boost promotion effectiveness.
• Support planning and execution of in-store promotions and channel marketing initiatives.

Skills

Fluent English

Relationship management

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Self-motivation

Negotiation

Job description

• On-site Channel Support: Provide day-to-day support at existing wholesale partners' premises, ensuring effective product merchandising, visibility, and execution of promotional activities.
• Customer Relationship Management: Conduct regular visits to wholesale and retail partners to understand their business needs, strengthen long-term relationships, and improve customer satisfaction.
• Issue Resolution: Respond promptly to partner feedback and work closely with internal teams to resolve product, logistics, and sales-related issues.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback, providing actionable insights to support sales strategies and business decisions.
• Sales & Inventory Management: Work with channel partners to optimize inventory levels, maintain product availability, and ensure a comprehensive SKU assortment to support sales growth.
• Product & Sales Training: Deliver product knowledge and sales skills training to wholesale and retail partners, helping improve their ability to promote and sell products to end customers.
• Promotional Execution: Support the planning and execution of in-store promotions and channel marketing initiatives to drive sales performance and increase market share.

Requirements

• Relevant Experience: Previous experience in retail operations, wholesale channel management, or field sales support, preferably within the FMCG or consumer electronics industry.
• Proactive & Results-Oriented: Strong sense of ownership, self-motivation, and resilience, with a hands-on approach and willingness to work closely with frontline sales teams and channel partners.
• Right to Work: Must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
• Language Skills: Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective business relationships.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, respond quickly to on-site challenges, and deliver practical solutions.
• Driving Licence: Must hold a valid UK driving licence and be willing to travel regularly to visit wholesale and retail partners.