Sales Manager Retail - UK
Our client is a renowned Italian producer of premium pasta, known for its authentic recipes, bronze-die extrusion and slow-drying methods. With strong brand recognition and a leading position in both fine food retail and large-scale distribution, the company continues to grow across the UK.
To support this growth, our client is seeking to hire a Sales Manager Retail - UK focused on the large-scale distribution sector.
What will be your key responsibilities:
- Support the CCO in defining sales policies for the Retail Modern Channel.
- Collaborate in the definition in its territory of sales development plans, promotional activities and promotional calendars at local level.
- Take care of direct relations with retail customers.
- Manage order collection, negotiation, the promo calendar and customer development plans.
- Collaborate actively for the regular financial flow and will be proactive with the customers to ensure the regular fulfilment of payment obligations by customers.
- Ensure timely implementation of agreed promotional activities in line with objectives, budgets and defined guidelines.
- Play an active and diligent part in the timely preparation and transmission of information concerning planning, implementation and subsequent verification of promotional activities and investments agreed with customers in accordance with the authorisation flow foreseen for roles and responsibilities.
- Provide periodic and structured reporting on trade and competition trends: acquire structured information on trade and competitor trends through the use of forms and provides timely and periodic feedback to the Management.
- Constantly monitor credit trends in the area, intervening with distributors and/or directly on customers, in order to achieve compliance with payment deadlines.
- Manage and coordinate the activities of the assigned backoffice resources efficiently, consistently with priorities and in accordance with maximum proactivity and transparency towards the other corporate functions.
- Report directly to the Sales Manager Countries France, UK & Ireland.
- Participate in regular business plan meetings with the CCO and regional sales leadership.
- Collaborate closely with other country sales managers to align on goals and strategy.
- Attend frequent strategy and performance reviews (in-person or virtual).
- Support execution of retail-focused sales strategy in the UK market
What experience should you have:
- Completed academic degree
- Experience in the same or a similar position
- Excellent English skills (spoken and written); Italian is a strong plus
- Several years of experience in the FMCG / consumer goods sector
- Knowledge of company procedures, national contracts, and commercial policies for large-scale retail customers
- Several years of experience in the food retail trade
- Strong communication and networking skills
- Excellent organisational abilities
- Open to approx. 50% field-based client visits across the UK
- Strong track record in customer acquisition
- Success-driven, with a proactive mindset
- Team player with strong collaborative skills
- Goal- and customer-oriented thinking and action
- High resilience and reliability, even under pressure
- Independent, structured and self-motivated way of working
- Experience with budget planning, controlling and area reporting
- Ability to develop and manage regional sales plans
- Skilled in identifying and developing new business opportunities
- Experienced in managing and expanding the customer portfolio
- Maintain regular presence at the Chelmsford office at least once every two weeks (preferred: once per week)
- Confident use of MS Office
- This role is open to all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, background, or identity
- You must have the right to work in the UK
What do you get in return:
- 25 days of annual leave (plus public holidays)
- Competitive base salary with performance-based commission
- Company car, also available for private use
- Laptop and company phone
- Home-office based role
- Permanent employment contract following successful probation period
