Birds Eye are looking for a motivated and passionate individual to join our Sales team to drive the customer agenda and lead a team of Commercial Managers.

Reporting to the Grocery Director, as the Account Controller you’ll be accountable for the execution of the customer business plan to hit and exceed annual targets.  You’ll do this by building partnerships with customers to develop, manage & execute Joint Business Plans – to achieve Sales, Profit & Share targets.  This is a key role within the wider commercial sales team where you’ll manage a broad portfolio of branded products for the business within the Birds Eye, Aunt Bessies and Goodfella’s Pizza portfolios. 

• Management of the full P&L for the Customer Account and leadership of multiple direct reports (Commercial Managers and an Account Executive).
• Develop and deliver bespoke execution plans that best support key Birds Eye, Aunt Bessies and Goodfellas business priorities (e.g. Marketing/Category initiatives + NPD)
• Develop & execute promotional plans with your team, that best meet the needs of yours & your customer’s targets
• Own the day-to-day commercial relationship with the Senior Buying Manager in the customer and this will also include some exposure to Category Directors and above.
• Lead the building of longer-term plans for the customer and be prepared to articulate this back clearly & concisely to the business
• Team management Develop the capability of your team through regular coaching, training and mentorship as well as having regular 121’s to review progress.

Already operating at this level, you have solid trading experience and history of working with Top 4 retailers and have a complete understanding of the FMCG retail industry in the UK.  You’ve a track record of managing and delivering via your team, especially where you were focused on developing them.  We look for people who are focused on getting results, embrace learning and bring positive energy, combining initiative with a sense of teamwork and collaboration. 

• Strong customer relationship management skills, possessing the ability & confidence to sell commercial propositions in line with company and customer needs.
• Delivered change and transformation in the category and customer they’ve worked in
• You’re a highly developed cross-functional team leader with the ability to take holistic decisions based on a wider business perspective.
• You’re resilient with excellent negotiation skills in order to achieve mutually acceptable outcomes in often very demanding circumstances.
• Experience of formulating and reviewing detailed business plans.