Channel Development Manager

This is an exceptional opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of well-established brands within the fast-moving consumer goods sector. As a Channel Development Manager, you will be at the forefront of driving business growth by developing and executing channel strategies, collaborating closely with distributor teams, and ensuring that sales targets are not only met but exceeded.

The organisation offers a supportive environment where your analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to foster strong relationships will be highly valued. You will benefit from flexible working opportunities, ongoing training, and the chance to work alongside knowledgeable professionals who are committed to your professional development.

• Take ownership of channel development initiatives and collaborate with distributor teams to deliver strategic sales plans that drive sustainable business growth across multiple channels.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities and access to continuous training programmes designed to enhance your expertise in sales operations, trade marketing, and key account management within the FMCG industry.
• Be part of an inclusive team culture that values knowledge sharing, cross-functional collaboration, and supportive leadership focused on helping you achieve your career aspirations.

What you'll do:

As a Channel Development Manager, you will immerse yourself in a dynamic environment where your primary focus is on achieving ambitious sales targets through effective channel management. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve close collaboration with distributor teams as you guide them in planning and executing robust sales strategies. You will take charge of setting clear distribution targets per SKU, establishing impactful display standards, and ensuring that all point-of-sale materials are optimally utilised. By leading joint business planning sessions with key retailers, you will help shape mid- and long-term strategies that drive mutual growth. Your analytical mindset will be crucial as you evaluate customer performance data, identify new business opportunities, and support distributor teams in crafting tailored plans for each customer. In addition to monitoring key performance indicators such as sales volumes and stock levels, you will manage trade spend efficiently-ensuring every investment delivers measurable returns. Your ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams like Trade Marketing will further strengthen your impact on execution excellence at both central and local levels.

• Provide strategic guidance and influence distributor teams to plan and execute comprehensive sales strategies tailored to assigned channels.
• Lead the development of channel planning in partnership with distributor teams, ensuring alignment with broader business objectives for sustained growth.
• Define distribution targets per SKU for each channel and establish display standards as well as point-of-sale materials suitable for both occasion-based and permanent placements.
• Set improvement targets for My Perfect Store KPIs to guarantee full store coverage within assigned channels and monitor progress towards these goals.
• Drive joint business planning sessions with key retailers to align on mid- and long-term strategies that support mutual growth objectives.
• Develop customer- and channel-specific plans aimed at accelerating product off-take while improving achievement of overall sales objectives.
• Analyse current customer performance data to identify future business opportunities and areas for optimisation within the assigned channels.
• Support distributor channel teams in defining customer-specific goals and strategies that are aligned with overarching channel priorities.
• Continuously monitor channel and customer performance metrics, including sales, stock levels, and building block KPIs, to ensure targets are being met or exceeded.
• Manage trade spend within established guidelines for each channel, approve distributor claims related to trade spend, and link expenditures directly to business-driving activities such as promotions or secondary placements.

What you bring:

To excel as a Channel Development Manager, you bring a wealth of proven experience from the FMCG industry-particularly in roles involving sales operations or key account management. Your background includes hands-on involvement with both traditional retail environments and modern trade formats, giving you a holistic perspective on market dynamics. You possess an innate ability to interpret commercial logistics challenges while optimising field execution processes for maximum efficiency. Your interpersonal strengths shine through advanced communication skills that enable seamless collaboration across departments such as Trade Marketing or Distribution Management. Analytical thinking comes naturally to you; it empowers your approach when evaluating performance metrics or identifying new avenues for growth. Adaptability is one of your core attributes-you thrive amid change by remaining resilient under pressure while managing multiple priorities simultaneously. With proficiency in Microsoft Office (and ideally some exposure to SAP), you are equipped with the technical tools needed for success. Above all else, your commitment to nurturing positive relationships ensures that every stakeholder feels supported throughout their journey.

• A university degree coupled with substantial commercial experience in sales and key account management within the fast-moving consumer goods sector is essential for this role.
• Demonstrated expertise in traditional trade, modern trade, impulse channels, as well as trade marketing functions such as channel planning and portfolio management is required.
• A deep understanding of commercial logistics processes, sales operations workflows, field execution best practices, and merchandising techniques is vital.
• Exceptional business acumen combined with meticulous attention to detail enables you to analyse complex data sets effectively while maintaining results orientation.
• Advanced communication skills empower you to influence stakeholders across various functions while fostering collaborative relationships within diverse teams.
• Proven ability to multitask efficiently under pressure ensures deadlines are consistently met without compromising quality or accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is mandatory; prior experience using SAP systems would be advantageous but not essential.
• Fluency in both spoken and written English allows you to communicate clearly across internal teams as well as external partners.

What sets this company apart:

The client behind this opportunity is recognised globally for its commitment to excellence within the consumer goods industry. Employees enjoy an inclusive workplace culture where knowledge sharing is encouraged at every level-fostering both personal growth and collective achievement. Flexible working arrangements allow team members greater autonomy over their schedules while still benefiting from structured training programmes designed around individual career goals. Supportive leadership ensures that everyone's contributions are valued equally; this creates an environment where collaboration thrives alongside innovation. The company's dedication to responsible business practices extends beyond its products-it invests heavily in employee wellbeing through ongoing professional development initiatives as well as community engagement projects. If you are looking for a place where your talents can flourish among passionate colleagues who genuinely care about making a difference together, this is the perfect environment for you.

What's next:

If you are ready to take the next step in your career journey by joining a team dedicated to excellence in channel development management within FMCG-this is your moment

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; seize this exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.