Growth-Driven General Manager, FMCG & Food

Osborne - Recruitment Consultancy; Leinster; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Osborne seeks a General Manager to lead a growing food and FMCG business, owning commercial performance, operations, people and finances. You will drive profitable growth, strengthen retailer relationships and ensure robust governance across P&L, cash, and controls.

The role demands a hands-on leader with strong commercial acumen, a track record of margin improvement, and experience with major grocery retailers in Ireland and the UK.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in food, FMCG, grocery or related sector.
• Strong commercial track record including sales growth and margin improvement.
• Experience working with major grocery retailers in Ireland and/or the UK.
• Ability to translate business strategy into practical plans and measurable results.
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on approach suited to privately owned business.

Responsibilities

• Lead the wider business and management team, establishing clear objectives, KPIs and accountability.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on commercial results, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Develop leadership capability and ensure effective day-to-day management across all functions.
• Take ownership of overall business performance, operating with autonomy and sound commercial judgement.
• Lead the execution of the company’s sales and commercial growth strategy.
• Drive profitable growth across branded and private-label product portfolios.
• Develop new business opportunities, including international expansion.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key retail customers, taking responsibility for senior-level customer engagement.
• Align sales, marketing and new product development activities with the business’s commercial priorities.
• Own strategic supplier relationships and lead commercial negotiations.
• Protect and improve gross margins through effective procurement, pricing and supplier management.
• Ensure competitive commercial terms, reliable supply and appropriate capacity to support growth.
• Maintain commercially sustainable economics across all product categories.
• Oversee end-to-end supply chain, warehousing, distribution and customer service.
• Drive improvements in forecasting, inventory management, productivity and cost-to-serve.
• Ensure consistent service levels and reliable delivery to customers.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, manage costs and strengthen operational performance.
• Lead the delivery of the new product development pipeline across branded and private-label ranges.
• Ensure new products are commercially viable, data-led and aligned with customer and consumer requirements.
• Ensure product launches deliver sustainable value for the business, suppliers and retail customers.
• Oversee marketing priorities, investment and external agency performance, ensuring activity supports profitable growth.
• Take full ownership of the business’s P&L, including revenue, gross margin, operating costs and EBITDA.
• Manage working capital, inventory, debtors and cash conversion.
• Establish and maintain robust management reporting, financial controls and performance dashboards.
• Use financial and operational data to identify risks, address underperformance and drive corrective action.
• Ensure timely, accurate financial reporting and maintain a disciplined focus on cash and profitability.
• Ensure high standards of food safety, technical compliance and product quality.
• Maintain compliance with relevant retailer requirements and applicable standards.
• Ensure technical and quality functions effectively support suppliers, customers and product development.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Commercial acumen

Financial discipline

Operations

People leadership

Strategic planning

Customer relationships

Supplier relationships

Negotiation

Forecasting

Inventory management

Job description

Osborne seeks a General Manager to lead a growing food and FMCG business, owning commercial performance, operations, people and finances. You will drive profitable growth, strengthen retailer relationships and ensure robust governance across P&L, cash, and controls.

The role demands a hands-on leader with strong commercial acumen, a track record of margin improvement, and experience with major grocery retailers in Ireland and the UK.