VP Retail Sales

Sofina Foods Europe; Leeds; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking a Vice President, Retail Sales to own one of its largest UK retail business units. You will drive revenue, profitability and long-term customer partnerships with full P&L accountability, leading a multi-disciplinary team across sales, category and customer marketing.

Working with Operations, Technical and Innovation, you will shape customer strategies to be commercially robust and deliver growth, while guiding forecasting, budgeting and strategic planning in a

Qualifications

• Significant senior commercial leadership experience within FMCG, food manufacturing or related sector.
• Proven track record of leading and growing major retail accounts in UK grocery or convenience.
• Experience managing large-scale commercial portfolios with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen including forecasting and budgeting.
• Ability to influence at senior customer and executive levels.
• Experience developing and inspiring high-performing teams.
• Experience working cross-functionally within complex manufacturing environments.
• Strategic thinking with a results-focused execution approach.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the commercial strategy for a major retail business unit.
• Lead revenue, margin and profit performance with full P&L accountability.
• Build and strengthen key retail customer relationships at senior levels.
• Develop and execute customer growth plans delivering long-term value.
• Lead, coach and develop a multi-disciplinary commercial team.
• Drive forecasting, budgeting and commercial planning activities.
• Partner with Operations, Technical and Innovation to develop customer-focused solutions.
• Identify market trends, risks and opportunities to stay competitive.
• Contribute to the wider commercial leadership agenda.

Skills

Strategic leadership

P&L accountability

Retail account growth

Stakeholder management

Forecasting & budgeting

Cross-functional leadership

Education

MBA or equivalent

FMCG/consumer goods knowledge

Tools

CRM / Salesforce

Advanced Excel / Analytics

ERP familiarity

Job description

Lead One of Sofina Foods Europe's Most Significant Retail Divisions

Role Overview

As Vice President, Retail Sales, you'll take full commercial ownership of one of Sofina Foods Europe's largest and most strategically important retail business units.

This is a high-profile leadership role with responsibility for shaping the future direction of a substantial retail division, delivering sustainable growth and strengthening relationships with some of the UK's leading retailers. Combining strategic vision with hands-on commercial leadership, you'll lead a high-performing team while driving revenue, profitability and long-term customer partnerships across a complex and dynamic portfolio.

Working closely with colleagues across Operations, Technical, Category, Marketing and Innovation, you'll ensure customer strategies are commercially robust, operationally deliverable and closely aligned to Sofina Foods Europe's wider growth ambitions.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing international food business, influencing both divisional performance and wider commercial strategy.

Key Duties

You will:

• Define and deliver the commercial strategy for a major retail business unit.
• Lead revenue, margin and profit performance, with full P&L accountability.
• Build and strengthen strategic relationships with key retail customers at a senior level.
• Develop and execute customer growth plans that deliver long-term value for both customers and the business.
• Lead, coach and develop a multi-disciplinary commercial team across sales, category and customer marketing functions.
• Drive forecasting, budgeting and commercial planning activities, ensuring robust decision-making and resource allocation.
• Partner with Operations, Technical and Innovation teams to develop customer-focused solutions and growth opportunities.
• Identify market trends, risks and opportunities to ensure the business remains competitive and commercially agile.
• Contribute to the wider commercial leadership agenda, helping shape the future direction of Sofina Foods Europe's retail business.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an accomplished commercial leader with a proven track record of delivering growth, building strategic customer partnerships and developing high-performing teams.

You will have:

• Significant senior commercial leadership experience within FMCG, food manufacturing or a related consumer goods sector.
• A strong track record of leading and growing major retail accounts within the UK grocery or convenience sector.
• Experience managing large-scale commercial portfolios with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including revenue growth, margin management, forecasting and budgeting.
• The ability to build credibility and influence at senior customer and executive stakeholder level.
• Proven leadership experience developing and inspiring high-performing teams.
• Experience working cross-functionally within complex manufacturing or FMCG environments.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with a results-focused approach to execution.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while balancing short-term priorities with long-term growth objectives.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to lead a major retail division within one of Europe's leading food businesses. You'll have the autonomy to shape strategy, influence key customer relationships and drive significant commercial performance across an established and successful portfolio.

As part of Sofina Foods Europe's senior leadership community, you'll work alongside experienced colleagues in a collaborative environment that values ambition, innovation and customer-led growth. You'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact while helping shape the future of our retail business and developing your own executive leadership career.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It's a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation