Head of UK Snacking

We are a $9bn global food company dedicated to bringing local favourite foods to communities everywhere. Within 18 countries, we offer quality branded food at a range of price points and across diverse categories.

We're a company dedicated to produce an exciting range of chilled, frozen and ambient products such as cold meats, dry meats, cheese, yogurt, snacking, prepared meals and beverages. We operate across 64 production plants, supplying more than 670,000 customers in North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and Europe.  We strive for excellence in everything we do. We're passionate about innovation and our consumers; we're committed in bringing them the best quality and taste in every product.

As a leading player in continental meat in Europe – No1 in France, Spain  and Portugal; We have now established a UK Savoury Snacking Business that is set for significant growth across several channels in the overall market. Offering exciting and great tasting Brands/Products across the Savoury Snacking Categories, including the Gold Award Winning and Delectably Delicious https://www.madbutcher.co.uk/ , we are very much set to maximise the UK market growth opportunity.

In order to achieve this, we are seeking to appoint a UK Head of Snacking to spearhead and deliver the UK Commercial Strategy.

Please note- As the UK Business is at an early growth stage, the role would favour candidates at Controller or Senior NAM level.

The Role

Working closely with the New Markets Snacking Director, you will lead the strategy, development, launch and commercial delivery of the UK Snacking range. The key routes to market will be across Retail, Convenience and Foodservice Channels. (although other opportunities will also be encompassed)

Core Purpose of the Role

1. Create, build and implement a new branded platform for growth in a new market.
2. Identify and prioritise new customer target strategies – Retail, Foodservice, Convenience, Independent, B2B and D2C.
3. Deliver a profitable commercial plan for Sigma-Alimentos in the UK, working via close cooperation and collaboration with customers, to achieve targeted KPIs.
4. Understand and interpret customer strategies and performance in the UK food market.  

Core Role Responsibilities

• Identify and co-develop the best range, manufacturing solutions and go to market strategy.
• Work with New Market snacking director and R&D team to support pilots and new business initiatives.
• Pioneer New and manage existing accounts to achieve specific targets and internal KPI’s.
• Lead projects with new customers, developing aligned strategies & relationships to drive sales and listings.
• Ensure Sigma are perceived as the expert within our market place and category.
• Plan, execute, monitor & review category and channel initiatives, prioritising Distribution, Display, NPD, Promotions,
• Pricing and Head Office resource. Champion customer category perspectives internally, working towards multi-functional solutions through Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, Category and Marketing to meet customers’ needs.

Given the strategic importance of the role, it will naturally be the building block to reaching a Senior Leadership role within the UK Commercial Structure.

However- To begin with, this is a "Go-to-Market" Commercial Role. Yes, you will be forming the strategy- but You will also be delivering it! Hence a "Hands on Approach" is an absolute must; and you will relish the challenge of driving New Business.

Candidate Requirements

Relevant Candidates will already be operating at a Senior Commercial level within a leading Branded Food Business; ideally with some level of experience of the Snacking Category. (however, this is not a must)

But Candidates will have:

1. Account Growth/New Business Experience across Grocery, Convenience or Foodservice Channels.
2. Have a natural Entrepreneurial Flair: The ability to spot opportunities that encompass the production capabilities of the Branded Product Range.
3. Be strategic, Be Category Led- But also have the ability to Act with Pace and “Win Business!"

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 market leading Customer Solutions.

Please Note: We have chosen to work exclusively with PT Executive; therefore, we kindly ask that other recruiters respect our decision and do not contact us in relation to this role. Thank you.