Business Development Director- (Top 4 Customers)- NEW FMCG Entrant- Challenger Brand

The Company 

As one of Europe's Leading privately owned Food Businesses, our client is a Brand Leader in several product areas across many International markets. They have realised their strategic goals by growing through both strong organic development combined with Rapid and Strong Entry into New Markets.

They now wish to bring several New Brands to the UK Market and are committing strong levels of investment into both NPD and Leading Edge Category solutions. Operating within the Branded and some level of Own Label their offering is both sophisticated and premium in nature and subsequently has become a real product of choice for many discerning customers and consumers. Operating within Country Specific structure has meant that their products range is now gaining huge traction in the market offering Brands of High Provenance & Exceptional Quality.

Indeed, with many great products within the Retail Space they serve across many international markets, they are at the forefront of entering the UK market and the respective categories into 2018/19 . As result they are now seeking to appoint a Business Development Director- Grocery

The Role- Business Development Director- Grocery

Reporting initially to the UK Managing Director and working closely with a the UK CEO you will take full P&L accountability for

• Driving Growth across the Top 4.

This role will see you operating at very senior level both internally and externally in which you will drive business performance within your accounts whilst acting as the “key lead” for Board Visible Strategic Initiatives. Candidates most also display a real appreciation of “Category Led” Trading strategies that are underpinned by a “Robust Intellectual” appreciation of the Marco Issues facing the current retail channel.

Initial Core Responsibilities

• 50% - Strategic Mapping & New Business Development
• 30% - Customer Focused
• 20% - Getting Close to NPD, Marketing & the Manufacturing Teams

Within this remit You will have full accountability for All Senior Contacts within the Multiple Accounts; Involving working with key Trade Marketing Stakeholders, supporting launch of NPD, driving key events around Commercial Brand Plans.

Internally you will be challenged to deliver:

• Leadership- Matrix
• Set the Vision/Direction
• Inspire

However- To begin with, this is a "Greenfield" Commercial Role. Whilst you will work alongside a growing commercial team- This not a High Man-Management role. Yes, you will be forming the strategy- but You will also be delivering it. Hence a "Hand on Approach" is an absolutely must.

Candidate Requirements-

Relevant Candidates will already be operating at a Senior Commercial level within a leading Branded Food Business- you may have gained some level of Private Label also; But the main body of your experience must be in Branded Food/FMCG. In that the successful candidate will be fully at home with:

1. Working closely with Strategic Marketing
2. Working closely with NPD Teams
3. Have the ability to spot customer opportunities that encompass the Production and Brand capabilities of the International Estate and Brand Values.
4. Be strategic, Be Category Led- But also have the ability the "Win Business!"

The role requires a real “can do” mentality alongside a creative flair for solution focused thinking inside a matrix framework. Finally the role will need a huge amount of Drive and Passion for delivering real quality to the end consumer combined with a creative flair for delivering ground breaking Customer Solutions.