Senior Sales Manager - Leeds

Arla Foods; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy manufacturer in Leeds is seeking a Senior Sales Manager to manage strategic Food Manufacturing accounts across the UK and EU. You will lead customer growth, negotiate pricing, and collaborate internationally. Strong commercial experience in FMCG is essential, alongside proven skills in pricing and stakeholder management. This role offers hybrid working and a bonus scheme, allowing for professional growth and development in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible hybrid working

Bonus scheme (up to 20%)

26 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Employer pension matched up to 6%

4× annual salary life assurance cover

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Significant commercial experience in FMCG is required.
• Experience in dairy is an advantage.
• Proven pricing and negotiation capability.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Track record of building positive senior customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Own a portfolio of key food manufacturing and cheese processing accounts.
• Lead monthly/quarterly price negotiations.
• Deliver key financial targets with robust forecasting.
• Manage allocated and forecasted cheese volumes.
• Build and execute customer business plans.

Skills

Commercial experience in FMCG

Pricing and negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Numerical and analytical skills

Relationship building

Job description

Overview

Senior Sales Manager – Arla Foods UK - Leeds

Do you want to shape growth for a leading European mozzarella and cheese manufacturer by managing strategic Food Manufacturing and Cheese Processing accounts across the UK and EU

You’ll lead strategic customer growth, negotiate pricing in a dynamic market and collaborate across the UK and Denmark to deliver profitable volume plans.

What Will Make You Successful

You will have significant commercial experience in FMCG (with dairy knowledge an advantage), you will have proven pricing and negotiation capability and are adept at stakeholder management in a matrix environment.

Your strong numerical and analytical skills enable you to navigate complex pricing, volumes, and profitability, and you have a track record of building positive senior customer relationships and delivering growth. Results-driven and decisive, with high energy and ownership, you will be commercially astute negotiator who thrives in dynamic markets and a relationship builder with a global mindset and clear, confident communication.

We work closely together and are proud of our collaborative culture and high job satisfaction; expect a steep learning curve, meaningful responsibility, and colleagues who will cheer, support, and challenge you.

Responsibilities

• Own a portfolio of key food manufacturing and cheese processing accounts, building long-term partnerships
• Lead monthly/quarterly price negotiations to deliver competitive, value-creating outcomes
• Deliver key financial targets (revenue, margin, mix) with robust forecasting and performance tracking
• Manage and optimise allocated and forecasted cheese volumes across EU and UK supply
• Build and execute customer business plans to grow existing business and win new opportunities

Role Details

This permanent role sits within the Commercial Ingredients trading team at our Leeds HQ and reports to the Commercial Ingredients Director. You will also represent the function at global trading forums and collaborate across a matrix of stakeholders.

What Do We Offer?

• Competitive salary (discussed at application stage)
• Flexible hybrid working – 3 days per week in the office
• Bonus scheme (up to 20%)
• 26 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Employer pension matched up to 6%
• 4× annual salary life assurance cover
• Flexible benefits – option to purchase additional holidays, reward gateway scheme with retailer discounts
• Strong career development and training (internal & external)

Join Us

At Arla, you’ll join a market leader producing household-favourite brands in a way that makes things better for our customers, the farmers who own us and the world. In Commercial Ingredients you’ll gain international exposure (UK/Denmark), a blend of strategic and tactical responsibility, and strong support for your professional development and progression.

If you want to drive growth with leading food manufacturers and help shape our commercial agenda, please apply as soon as possible as we process applications on a continuous basis and will close the recruitment once the right candidate is found.

For additional information, please contact Oliver Hickson-Burr talent partner

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation. We're passionate about people and our planet, striving to unleash the full potential in each of us. Our goal is to make healthy dairy nutrition and good food habits accessible to all. Join us at Arla Foods and become part of a worldwide cooperative dedicated to making a significant impact on the planet and steering the dairy industry towards a sustainable future.

We are devoted to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Diversity and collaboration are key to our success, propelling us to new heights in the dairy industry.