Head of Sales - Protein Sports Grocery Retail

Overview

Exclusive opportunity to join an exciting Sports drinks and protein brand, who have grown 300% YOY. Now in a position of further growth for 2024, we are looking for a Head of Sales to join their thriving team.

With exciting household name sporting partners and ambassadors, the company is looking for a passionate individual with an interest in the space, to join at their Head Office in Essex.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Head of Sales will create and deliver the sales strategy for the brand across our key focus areas of (1) Major Retailers, (2) Wholesale & Convenience, (3) E-Commerce and (4) Export Markets. This role is for a proactive go-getter to get products into stores across the nation and the hands of as many people as possible. The role has 4 direct reports to start with (actively recruiting for several other sales talent) and you'll need to grow, nurture, and support a multi-channel sales team, to achieve ambitious KPI's and build a strong culture.

The Role:

The ideal candidate is a strategic commercial operator with a deep understanding across several of the channels mentioned above (strongly preferable for UK Retail first and foremost) in the food and beverage sector, a knack for building brand awareness, a great relationship builder, and a proven track record of developing and executing successful sales strategies.

The person we are looking for will either be in an equivalent role at a larger ‘challenger’ brand, or a channel director (preferably Retail) in a mid-large food & beverage business, looking for a broader sales leadership role, influencing beyond their core functional responsibilities.

The right person thrives in a fast-paced environment, is seeking a role in a company underpinned by an authentic mission, and willing to “get their hands dirty” to achieve it!

Sales Strategy & Planning:

• Create a 1–3-year sales commercial strategy in line with the company growth plan
• Develop and own the sales forecast across all channels reviewing and adjusting on a defined cadence (e.g., 8,12 weeks)

Channel Management & Relationships:

• Work with marketing and creative resource, create the story to take to the trade and show why the brand is a vital part of their range
• Own and nurture our key commercial relationships to deliver short and long-term sales goals

Sales Performance & Reporting:

• Own the Monthly and Quarterly internal reporting cycle to tell the progress of our growth across all key sales channels

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership:

• Work closely with other departments to create and execute a commercial plan that will drive distribution, visibility and rate of sale
• Lead the collaboration between sales, ops and marketing to ensure consistent brand delivery and availability across all channels

Team Leadership & Development:

• Grow, nurture, and support a multi-channel sales team, to achieve ambitious KPI’s and build a strong culture
• Execute alongside their team to build high trust and credibility with their the team and customers
• Coach teams to always negotiate towards win-win outcomes

Required Skills & Experience

• 4+ years proven success in sales roles within the food & beverage industry – ideally with major brands or challenger brands to have gained high level exposure to the ‘right way’ of doing things
• Strong understanding of health and wellness trends
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to think creatively and strategically with a growth mindset
• Proven sales experience with a track record of hitting targets across multiple channels
• Knowledge of commercial and office software (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint)
• Understanding of P&L management
• Proven track record of successful product launches and brand development through mission led brands

Salary: c. £90,000 - £110,000 plus car / car allowance , performance based bonus, medical insurance, fuel allowance.

Location: Hybrid (3 days from office in Essex, 2 days from home). Accessible on the Central Line.

Working hours: Mon to Fri, 08:30 – 16:30 (hybrid working model though preference for 3 days in office)

· Sa