Senior Business Manager

Alexander Steele Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander Steele Recruitment is seeking an experienced commercial professional to own strategic distributor relationships across the UK foodservice market. The role is home-based with UK travel and offers visibility within a global market leadership context.

You will manage major distributors, drive growth via the Local Fast Food channel, and lead a high-performing commercial team with accountability for revenue, margin and expansion opportunities.

Qualifications

• At least five years in food or drink sales, including UK foodservice.
• Experience managing major distributors and wholesale networks.
• Experience holding full P&L responsibility.
• Previous experience leading, coaching and developing commercial teams.
• Strong analytical skills with pricing, customer data and performance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop relationships with key UK foodservice distributors and wholesale partners.
• Create and deliver strategic account plans and joint business plans.
• Drive profitable growth through increased distribution, range expansion and new business opportunities.
• Hold full P&L responsibility, including revenue, margin and growth targets.
• Lead commercial negotiations with distributor partners.
• Analyse performance using Salesforce, Power BI and market insights.
• Collaborate with marketing, supply chain and finance to improve customer value, availability and service.
• Lead and develop Key Account Manager(s) and set clear objectives.
• Strengthen route-to-market strategy and represent the business professionally.

Skills

Distributors management

P&L ownership

Team leadership

Pricing analysis

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Salesforce/Power BI usage

Tools

Salesforce

Power BI

Job description

South of England | Home Based with UK Travel

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced commercial professional to join a dynamic and ambitious UK & Ireland commercial team.

Following the planned retirement of the current Senior Business Manager later this year, you will take ownership of several strategically important distributor relationships across the UK foodservice market. This is a highly visible and influential role with a particular focus on driving growth through the Local Fast Food channel.

The role

• Manage and develop relationships with key UK foodservice distributors and wholesale partners.
• Create and deliver strategic account plans and joint business plans.
• Drive profitable growth through increased distribution, range expansion and new business opportunities.
• Hold full P&L responsibility, including revenue, margin and growth targets.
• Lead commercial negotiations with distributor partners.
• Analyse performance and identify opportunities using Salesforce, Power BI and wider market insights.
• Work closely with marketing, supply chain and finance to improve customer value, availability and service.
• Lead and develop Key Account Manager(s), setting clear objectives and creating a high-performing commercial team.
• Strengthen the route-to-market strategy and represent the business professionally across the industry.

About you

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious commercial professional who understands how to succeed within a complex foodservice environment.

You will bring:

• At least five years' experience in food or drink sales, including several years within UK foodservice.
• Proven experience managing major distributors and wholesale networks.
• A strong understanding of the Local Fast Food or independent foodservice channel.
• Experience holding full P&L responsibility.
• Previous experience leading, coaching and developing commercial teams.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with pricing, customer data and performance reporting.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder-management abilities.
• A self-motivated, results-focused approach.
• The ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced and international environment.
• A location in the South of England, with the flexibility to travel extensively.

What's on offer?

• A senior, high-impact position within an international market-leading organisation.
• Ownership of strategically important distributor relationships.
• The opportunity to shape commercial strategy and future growth.
• A collaborative environment built around ownership and continuous improvement.
• A fully equipped home-working setup.
• The support and resources of a business employing approximately 2,500 people worldwide.