Head of Retail

Excel Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading name in the Irish grocery retail sector is seeking an experienced Head of Grocery Retail. This strategic leadership role requires a results-driven individual with strong retail operations experience to drive sales growth, enhance customer experience, and manage cross-functional teams. The candidate will lead the implementation of sales strategies and ensure best practices across the retail network.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior retail leadership role, ideally within grocery, FMCG, or food service retail.
• Strong understanding of retail business operations including P&L, margin analysis, cash flow, and fresh food management.
• Excellent IT proficiency and report-writing ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of national sales strategies across the retail network.
• Manage the Relationship Development Executives and Fresh Food Managers.
• Oversee execution of chilled/frozen distribution rollouts and new store openings.

Skills

Leadership

Retail Operations

Customer Focus

Sales Management

Cross-Functional Teamwork

Job description

Head of Retail – Nationwide

Excel Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced and commercially focused Head of Grocery Retail on behalf of our client, a leading name in the Irish grocery retail sector. This is an exciting and strategic leadership opportunity for a results-driven individual with a strong background in retail operations, FMCG, or customer-facing environments.

Salary: €100k - €120k

Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of national sales strategies, ensuring performance and growth in sales, margin, and profitability across the retail network
• Manage and support the Relationship Development Executives and Fresh Food Managers, ensuring seamless delivery of commercial initiatives and brand standards.
• Drive chilled/frozen distribution rollouts and oversee execution in line with company objectives
• Work closely with retailers, providing professional business analysis and advice to enhance store performance across KPIs including sales, margin, overheads, and customer experience
• Ensure best practice standards are in place across the store estate, particularly in fresh food, stock management, customer service, and promotions.
• Lead the execution of new store openings, revamps, and retail development projects across the region
• Support store operations through coaching, communication, and consistent performance review
• Manage relationships with wholesalers, key suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth commercial delivery
• Implement sales training and development programs across your team to build capability and performance.
• Work cross-functionally with departments such as marketing, finance, procurement, and HR to ensure delivery of group goals
• Ensure robust health and safety procedures and operational compliance throughout the territory

Requirements:

• Experience in a senior retail leadership role, ideally within grocery, FMCG, or food service retail
• Strong understanding of retail business operations including P&L, margin analysis, cash flow, and fresh food management
• Proven experience managing and motivating sales and operations teams
• A customer-focused mindset with the ability to build strong retailer partnerships
• Experience working on retail projects with cross-functional teams
• Excellent IT proficiency and report-writing ability
• Full clean driving licence and flexibility to travel nationwide

If you are interested in this Head of Retail job opportunity, then please apply to Nikki Murran via the link below. All applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.

Call Nikki 01 871 7600