Lead Channel Development Manager

Britvic; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Lead Channel Development Manager. In this role, you will develop and deliver strategies for the on-trade market, ensuring alignment and accountability across teams. Candidates should possess significant experience in channel and trade plans, alongside strong communication and commercial awareness. Join us to shape the future of our on-trade portfolio across both beer and soft drinks categories, leveraging your knowledge and innovative mindset to drive growth.

Benefits

Monthly product allowance

Private Medical options

Life Assurance

Company bonus scheme

Access to 24/7 GP services

Enhanced pension contribution

Generous holiday

Access to high street discounts

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering market-outperforming channel and trade plans.
• Comfortable operating in complex, matrix environments.
• Strong action-oriented mindset with a passion for delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sub-channel strategies and commercial plans.
• Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the plan.
• Be the key consult for brand and business operations teams.

Skills

On trade experience and knowledge

Strong commercial acumen

Excellent communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Growth mindset

KPI-driven approach

Job description

Job Title: Lead Channel Development Manager
Location: Hemel Hempstead - Breakspear Park
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: 37.5
Competitive Salary with extensive benefits:

• Monthly product allowance – alcoholic & non-alcoholic options available
• Private Medical options
• Life Assurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Access to 24/7 GP services
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Generous holiday (inc bank holidays)
• Access to a range of high street discounts

Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK and is home to some of the most iconic and popular beers & soft drinks, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Poretti and Brooklyn to ale favourites such as Hobgoblin and Wainwright. For soft drinks, Carlsberg Britvic’s brands include J2O, Robinsons, Tango and London Essence along with the licence rights to the Pepsi portfolio in the UK including Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Iced Tea and Rockstar Energy.

With a strong national footprint, the Carlsberg Britvic business includes 5 production facilities and 16 logistics depot’s servicing customers up and down the UK. As these two historical businesses have come together, the one common goal remains, and that is ensuring our people succeed.

About the Role

Join Carlsberg Britvic, an integrated beverage powerhouse combining the strengths of two legacy businesses to create a unique market proposition. As the On Trade Channel Manager, you'll be responsible for delivering sub-channel strategies and commercial plans that drive performance across our beer and soft drinks portfolio. Working at the intersection of strategy and execution, you'll collaborate with Commercial Operations and Account Directors to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and develop commercially sound solutions that deliver exceptional results in the On Trade environment.

Role Responsibilities

• Be the indispensable business partner to the trading directors ensuring the delivery of the channel brand plan (Licenced or Hospitality)
• Translate the channel plan into clear levers of growth and actions for the commercial teams to deliver against
• Co‑ordinate the day‑to‑day delivery of the plan via the performance cycle holding teams to account to ensure the plan is delivered
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the business to ensure that the on trade is supported appropriately
• Own the monthly performance cycle ensuring solutions are in place with clear actions and owners to accelerate growth further
• Be comfortable challenging the quality of the plans and initiative solutions with a growth culture mindset
• Be the expert of our performance within the sub channel and be the key consult for the brand and business operations teams
• Work together to drive a consistent and optimized way of working throughout the whole channel
• Report weekly scorecards tracking performance of vol/NR/profit vs ambition and plan
• Ensure timely delivery of brand deployments to the teams with appropriate tools to unlock growth conversations with customers
• Work shoulder to shoulder with the category team understanding the trends and external market dynamics to flex and unlock opportunities within year and beyond
• Drive the channel innovation process through the gate process representing our channel through the process
• Have a clear pipeline of thought leadership on how we unlock growth
• Develop future plans in line with category trends and shifts in consumer behaviour

Experience and Key Attributes

• On trade experience and knowledge essential, ideally in beers and/or soft drinks categories
• Strong on-trade experience and knowledge essential, ideally in the beer and/or soft drinks categories
• Proven track record of delivering market-outperforming channel and trade plans
• Ability to understand performance drivers and unlock plans to course‑correct
• Strong commercial acumen and awareness required, with a strong understanding of the bigger picture and strategic direction
• Excellent communication skills at all levels, from engaging large teams to the senior management team
• Cross-functional collaboration with peers to build aligned and robust plans
• A firestarter who epitomises a growth mindset, especially Semper Ardens
• Ability to cut through complexity and make things simple
• An innovator with a track record of delivering significant change
• Takes responsibility and ownership for the day‑to‑day delivery of the Annual Operating Plan
• Strong action‑orientated mindset with a passion for making things happen
• Consistently demonstrates strong resilience to overcome challenges and barriers
• Curious mindset to constantly explore and stretch thinking beyond what is thought possible
• Ability to inspire others to take ownership, course‑correct, or accelerate
• KPI‑driven, with an unwavering approach to delivering business expectations
• Experience of leading the business within complex, matrix environments
• Proven ability to lead through others and hold teams to account
• Comfortable operating in the grey while creating solutions and simple ways of working
• A strong and influential voice for the channel at LT level

Our commitment to diversity equity & inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences - including those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. We actively seek to create a safe and inclusive environment for all of our colleagues, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and inclusive practices are embedded in everything we do.

We are happy to support accessibility needs, to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates, so please do let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

Application Process: We read applications continuously, and vacancies may be filled anytime, so please apply as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application.