Senior Channel Manager, Arla

Arla Group; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel opportunities (30–40 days/year)

Job summary

Arla Foods seeks a Senior Channel Manager to strengthen executional excellence and build commercial capabilities that accelerate growth across markets. You will join the Beverage Excellence team, shaping how Milk Based Beverages win across channels by leveraging shopper insights and channel expertise.

You will drive global channel frameworks, execute excellent in-store standards, and translate insights into scalable strategies across markets.

Qualifications

• Master degree in business, marketing, commercial management or equivalent.
• Minimum 7 years experience in Channel Management, Commercial Excellence, Category Management and/or Shopper Marketing within FMCG.
• Experience in non-alcoholic beverages preferred.
• Strong stakeholder management in international matrix organisations.
• Fluency in English; additional languages welcome.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the global channel growth strategy for Milk Based Beverages, translating category vision and shopper insights into winning choices and commercial growth priorities.
• Develop and evolve global channel frameworks and playbooks covering assortment, merchandising, price-pack architecture, promotion and execution, driving adoption and commercial impact across markets.
• Lead Arla's global Perfect Store and Execution Excellence agenda, driving adoption of our standards through aligned KPIs, measurement solutions and performance management to improve execution quality.
• Drive the Beverage Mindset across the organisation through training programs, playbooks, best-practice sharing and hands-on market support.
• Turn shopper and channel insights into actionable recommendations guiding business planning and prioritization across zones, markets and senior stakeholders.

Skills

Channel Management

Commercial Excellence

Shopper Marketing

Category Management

Stakeholder Management

Training & Change Management

Market Insights

Education

Master's degree in business/marketing

Job description

Do you want to help shape how one of Arla Foods' fastest-growing businesses wins across channels globally?

We are looking for a Senior Channel Manager to strengthen executional excellence and build the commercial capabilities that help markets accelerate growth.

As our new Senior Channel Manager, you will be part of our Beverage Excellence team, bringing a strong channel and shopper perspective to the global commercial agenda and turning category vision and shopper insights into scalable strategies that improve availability, visibility and shopper conversion across markets.

“One of our biggest growth opportunities is transforming how we win in-store. We are looking for someone who can challenge the status quo, strengthen executional excellence and help accelerate our journey from a “dairy play” to a “true beverage play”.” says Michaela Czerwenka, Head of Beverage Excellence - Global Milk Based Beverages (MBB).

The position can be based at Arla Foods Global HQ in Aarhus or in another Arla location within our European organization. Final location will be agreed with the successful candidate.
This is an exciting, international role with 30-40 days of travel per year.

Read more about our part of the business here Inside Arla

How you will make an impact

You will define how Arla's Milk Based Beverages brands win across channels globally. By combining shopper insight, channel expertise and commercial excellence, you will help shape how our brands show up and succeed in-store across markets.

Key responsibilities include

• Define and lead the global channel growth strategy for Milk Based Beverages, translating category vision and shopper insights into winning choices and commercial growth priorities.
• Develop and evolve global channel frameworks and playbooks covering assortment, merchandising, price-pack architecture, promotion and execution, driving adoption and commercial impact across markets.
• Lead Arla's global Perfect Store and Execution Excellence agenda, driving adoption of our “Be There, Be Cold, Be Visible” Execution Standards through aligned Perfect Store KPIs, measurement solutions and performance management to improve execution quality and commercial impact across markets.
• Drive the Beverage Mindset across the Arla Foods organization through dedicated training programs, playbooks, best-practice sharing and hands-on market support.
• Turn shopper and channel insights into actionable recommendations that guide business planning, prioritization and strategic decision making across zones, markets and senior stakeholders.

What will make you successful

You are a strong influencer and relationship builder, a results-oriented self-starter who takes ownership, and a confident sparring partner who challenges constructively and sees the bigger picture.

You combine strategic thinking with a strong understanding of what drives execution in-market and bring experience from Channel Management, Commercial Excellence, Shopper Marketing or Category Management within FMCG.

Furthermore, we imagine that you have

• Relevant Master university degree in business, marketing, commercial management or a comparable field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in Channel Management, Commercial Excellence, Category Management and/or Shopper Marketing within FMCG; ideally from a leading player in non-alcoholic beverages.
• Proven ability to develop commercial strategies, frameworks and scalable solutions across markets.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills in complex international matrix organizations.
• Passion for building capabilities and driving change through training, playbooks and best-practice sharing.
• Experience using consumer, shopper and market research to inform strategic decisions.
• Local market experience is an advantage, with insight into customer, channel and execution realities.
• Speak and write English excellently; additional languages are an advantage.
  

What do we offer?

This is a unique opportunity to shape how Arla's Milk Based Beverages brands win across channels globally. You will play a key role in building the channel strategies, Perfect Store frameworks and commercial capabilities that strengthen execution and accelerate growth across markets.

You will work closely with markets, influence senior stakeholders and help shape the future of Beverage Excellence in one of Arla's fastest-growing businesses.

Would you like to join us?

If you want to shape how Arla Foods’ Milk Based Beverages business wins across channels and turn global ambition into measurable market execution, we would love to hear from you.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

For additional information, please contact Michaela Czerwenka, Head of Beverage Excellence - Global MBB, [phone].