Are you an experienced Senior Account Manager ready to take on a high-impact role within a purpose-led, international food business?

We are seeking a commercially astute Senior Business Manager to lead strategic retail partnerships and drive sustainable growth across both branded and own-label portfolios. This is a key leadership role within the commercial function, offering exposure to major UK retailers and the opportunity to influence long-term strategic direction.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping customer strategy, delivering revenue and profit growth, and strengthening cross-functional collaboration across the business.

About the Business

Our client is a globally recognised food organisation operating multiple business units and production facilities worldwide, with sales and marketing teams across international markets.

Structured across consumer brands and ingredients divisions, the business supplies both branded and private label products to leading retailers, manufacturers and foodservice customers.

As a values-led organisation with a strong heritage and cooperative ethos, the company is committed to long-term sustainability, continuous improvement, and creating shared value across its supply chain.

The business offers hybrid working, strong career progression pathways (including international mobility), and a comprehensive benefits package.

The Role

The Senior Business Manager will work closely with the Commercial Controller to build and execute customer strategies across key retail accounts. You will have responsibility for both branded and own-label performance, ensuring delivery of volume, profit and strategic objectives.

This is a commercially broad role combining customer leadership, financial ownership, business development, cross-functional alignment and team mentorship.

Key Responsibilities

Customer & Account Leadership

• Build and maintain strong, sustainable relationships across strategic retail accounts.
• Develop and deliver joint business plans aligned to long-term commercial strategy.
• Ensure delivery of annual volume, revenue and margin targets.

Commercial Performance & Growth

• Identify and progress new business opportunities within existing and new customers.
• Deliver private label business plans and ensure optimisation of commercial priorities.
• Lead cost-saving, efficiency and margin enhancement initiatives year-on-year.
• Manage pricing, promotions, commercial agreements and cost negotiations.
• Oversee forecasting accuracy and final demand planning sign-off.

Brand & Portfolio Management

• Partner with Marketing to execute brand strategy across key accounts.
• Deliver EDP and NPD plans in line with agreed customer promotional calendars.
• Analyse promotional effectiveness and recommend performance improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead effective collaboration with Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Finance, Marketing and Technical teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Take ownership of quarterly reconciliation meetings and commercial model governance.
• Represent the commercial function across internal performance and planning forums.

Sustainability & Strategy

• Support alignment between customer sustainability strategies and internal targets.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the 5-year strategic plan.

Leadership & Development

• Provide day-to-day guidance and career development support within the commercial team.
• Champion best-in-class ways of working across the organisation.

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience in senior retail account management within food or FMCG.
• Proven experience managing Top 4 UK retail customers.
• Strong commercial acumen with full understanding of P&L management.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver joint business plans and negotiate complex agreements.
• Highly analytical with strong numerical capability.
• Confident communicator with strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience supporting or mentoring commercial colleagues.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.

This is a rare opportunity to join a global, purpose-driven organisation in a senior commercial role with real influence and visibility. You will have ownership of strategic accounts, the opportunity to shape long-term business direction, and access to strong career progression pathways.  Get in touch for more information or apply with your CV today!