Retail Channel Manager

Responsible for developing and executing UK channel management strategies to drive consistent retail execution across distributors and major UK retail chains. This role end-to-end oversees distributor lifecycle governance, in-store merchandising, promotional standards and partner capability building, identifies market growth opportunities, and ensures all channel activities align with company commercial objectives.

• Develop and roll out UK channel strategies, policies and operational standards to ensure unified execution across all UK retail markets
• Manage the full distributor lifecycle, including partner recruitment, onboarding, ongoing performance management, capability training and exit arrangements
• Establish and continuously optimise distributor governance systems, equipping channel partners with professional product knowledge, operational support and commercial capabilities to meet business targets
• Oversee end-to-end retail execution across major UK supermarkets and retail channels, including product listing, shelf merchandising, in-store display and promotional campaigns, ensuring full brand standard compliance
• Monitor overall channel performance and conduct regular reviews to guarantee effective implementation of commercial policies and channel strategies
• Conduct in-depth market, customer and channel analysis to identify growth opportunities, operational risks and optimisation potential
• Design actionable channel development plans and deliver strategic recommendations to improve channel efficiency, retail quality and overall business performance
• Collaborate with internal sales and marketing teams to align channel execution with global and local business objectives

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in FMCG channel management, distributor management or regional commercial operation
• Solid experience managing full lifecycle distributor relationships, including recruitment, capability development, performance review and channel governanc
• In-depth knowledge of the UK FMCG retail landscape, distribution models and channel operation logic; proven experience building channel policies and standardised retail execution system
• Hands-on experience overseeing supermarket listing, merchandising, in-store activation and retail promotion project
• Strong commercial analysis skills, capable of diagnosing channel issues, identifying growth opportunities and delivering practical solution
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and cross-team collaboration skill
• Self-driven, result-oriented and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-growing commercial environment
• Preferred backgrou
  nd:
  Global tobacco (BAT, PMI, IQOS) or top-tier FMCG brands (Coca-Cola, Pepsi Co, Red Bull, P&G, Danone, Kraft)
• Must be legally eligible to work in the UK without employer sponsorship, now and in the future