Senior Channel Strategy & Planning Manager (Off Trade GB)

C&C Group plc is a premium drinks company which owns, manufactures, markets and distributes a unique portfolio of beer and cider brands in its home markets and across the globe. You probably know us best from brands like Bulmers, Magners and Tennent’s.

Overview

This role will work closely with the Senior Commercial Directors in National Accounts to set the strategic priorities to deliver profitable growth. This will focus on category opportunities linked to owned brands (Tennent’s. Magners, Menabrea, Orchard Pig, Heverlee, Outcider) and strategic suppliers across beer, cider, spirits, softs and wine.

Lead the Nationals Off Trade channel marketing team to build, execute and evaluate annual plans that deliver C&C’s commercial objectives.

Working closely with insight, commercial, procurement and marketing teams, define where to play and how to win, and will allocate resources to deliver the business goals. Continually review the performance, identify gaps and adjust the plans accordingly.

Understand the customer, channel, category dynamics and brand/supplier strategy to deliver activation plans that allow us to win in key National customers. Regularly engage with customers to build our reputation as a trusted partner and brand owner. Work with commercial and insight counterparts to deliver the right range, in the right outlet and activation plans which flex by customer dynamics and category opportunity.

About the role

• In line with the UK Off Trade Channel Strategy, own the channel strategy for National Accounts. Develop and execute a clear channel and category strategy fit for both our distribution portfolio, strategic supply partners and owned brands. This strategy must be grounded in insight and channel knowledge.
• Drive the commercial performance of our portfolio via sustainable volume and profit growth initiatives across National Accounts. Work with finance and commercial to track regularly to review and course correct as appropriate
• To lead and develop compelling customer and channel plans in conjunction with brand leads and commercial colleagues across owned, partner and distribution portfolio for Nationals. Ensure that these plans deliver the commercial objectives.
• Create, deliver and evaluate Distribution Gold Standard within the Nationals channel. Ensure it embeds into customer and channel plans and tenders, delivering the right range, in the right customer, with optimised profit delivery.
• Build support plans that drive visibility at every off trade consumer touch point; delivering ‘perfect outlets’ that focus on the consumer drinks journey.
• Set KPI and ROI success measures, report on efficiencies and impact of all executed customer activity, ensuring that learnings are noted and shared.

About Us

• Comfortable with managing a diverse workload of projects in a high-pressure environment.
• Consumer insight driven, business planning, commercial strategy, and creative skills.
• Ability to translate into compelling narrative for action.
• Track record in building successful relationships with both internal and external partners.
• Entrepreneurial, challenger mindset.
• Good creative judgement.
• Commercially astute and savvy to managing a portfolio P&L with an objective of optimising growth.
• Strategically minded, with a flair for ideation and ability to turn data into insight to drive growth.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Passion to lead highly effective teams to deliver against KPIs is desired.
• Relevant experience within an FMCG background.