Role: Customer Manager 

 Location: Home-based (UK) with occasional travel

We’re looking for a commercially driven and ambitious Customer Manager to take full ownership of key Co-op customer accounts. This is a high-impact role where you’ll lead the day-to-day commercial management of your portfolio, delivering sustainable and profitable growth across our brands.

You’ll be responsible for achieving Net Sales Value (NSV) targets across multiple categories, leading all aspects of trading activity including promotional planning, forecasting, CPI delivery, and annual terms negotiations. With full P&L accountability, you’ll play a key role in driving performance while ensuring excellent customer service and strong, lasting relationships.

Working cross-functionally, you’ll collaborate with teams across Category, Marketing, NPD, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver best-in-class customer plans aligned with both business and customer strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage the customer portfolio, delivering against Sales, Profit, Distribution, and NPD targets
• Develop and execute Joint Business Plans (JBPs), reviewing performance and adapting to opportunities
• Lead forecasting, reporting, and performance analysis, providing actionable insights
• Plan and deliver promotional and shopper activation programmes aligned to marketing strategy
• Take full ownership of P&L, ensuring profitable growth and effective trade spend management
• Build strong relationships at buyer level and across customer organisations
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless execution of plans and excellent service levels
• Maintain a strong understanding of the market, customer strategy, and competitor activity

What We’re Looking For

• Degree-level education (or equivalent experience)
• Proven FMCG sales experience, ideally within a blue-chip environment
• Experience managing Joint Business Plans and customer negotiations
• Background across branded and/or own label products (food categories preferred)
• Strong commercial acumen with a results-driven mindset
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Skilled negotiator with experience using structured frameworks
• High proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong trading and commercial planning capability
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities and act decisively
• Collaborative approach with cross-functional teams
• Committed to delivering against targets and business objectives

Role Scope

• Full P&L responsibility for customer portfolio (c. £10–15m NSV)
• Accountability for sales value, volume, and trade investment
• Management of promotional spend and customer budgets
• Regular performance reporting and insight delivery
• Potential line management responsibility depending on account scope

Working Conditions

• Home-based with regular UK travel
• Visits to customer head offices, factories, and route-to-market locations
• Occasional overnight stays required

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a high-profile account within a fast-paced FMCG environment. You’ll have real autonomy, strong cross-functional support, and the chance to make a measurable impact on both customer success and business growth.