Job Description

About Hero UKI

You probably know us best through our beloved brands: Deliciously Ella for our range of plant-based food products and delicious recipes; Organix for our tasty toddler snacking range; and Goodies for fun pre-schooler snacks.

We’re proud of our strong heritage of using business as a force for good in the UK food landscape – building brands that connect deeply with consumers; leading our categories in key retail partners; and offering delicious, better-for-you snacking options to all age groups.

You’ll find our offices in the heart of London and in sunny Bournemouth. We’ve been named a Great Place to Work, and we’re seriously proud of the positive culture and business we’ve built together.

We’re part of the Hero Group, a global family of brands united by a shared mission ‘to delight consumers through honest goodness in every bite’.

About Hero Group

Hero is a global food company, founded in 1886 in Switzerland, specialising in branded nutritional products across the Growing Up and Adult categories. With a portfolio of trusted brands like Corny, Semper, Goodies, Beech-Nut, Organix, and Deliciously Ella, Hero delivers high-quality, great-tasting food rooted in natural goodness. With 4,000 team members worldwide, the company is driven by strong values, high performance, and a commitment to doing the right thing - always, without compromise.

Our Values

Our values are at the heart of everything we do. Developed through an inclusive process involving colleagues from across the business, they guide how we work, collaborate, and succeed together. They reflect who we are today and the future we are building:

Create Wow - We go beyond expectations and strive to make a meaningful impact

Everyone Hero – Every individual matters and every contribution counts.

Nourish Others – We support, inspire, and help each other grow.

Take Responsibility - We own our actions and outcomes, individually and as a team

About the role

You are responsible for developing and implementing customer specific business plans aligned to Hero UK&I brand and category objectives whilst considering the wider retail arena, to drive profitable growth for both Hero UK&I and the customer(s). With a remit to cover, but not exclusively; Co-Op, Discounters and Booths

Your internal stakeholder relationships will include Sales team, Online team, Brands & NPD Teams, Management Team, Operations and Supply Chain and Finance. External relationships will include Retailer contact matrix, Buyer, Senior Buyer, Supply and marketing contacts, Third Party agencies (where appropriate).

The team:

You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative and high-performing Sales team, working closely with colleagues across the wider business to deliver great results for our customers and brands. We’re a team that values ownership, open communication and fresh thinking, and we’re looking for someone who will bring energy, curiosity and a proactive approach to help us keep growing.

Key responsibilities

• Plan Development and Execution – Within the context of the sales strategy, develop and execute joint business plans for your customer(s). Translate the Hero UK&I brand strategy, category, financial, and retailer requirements into a JBP plan that delivers mutually profitable growth thus contributing to overall company target achievement
• Business Development – identify and drive business development opportunities within the customer(s) from all available data sources in conjunction with Category and Marketing colleagues to exceed performance ahead of plan short, medium, and long term.
• Maximise Spend Effectiveness – Maximise the effectiveness of Hero UK&I promotional spend within the customer(s), constantly striving for more impactful (shopper) and more effective (customer/Hero UK&I) activities.
• Coordinate all Customer Requirements – interact and coordinate with other colleagues and departments (supply chain, finance, marketing, commercial) to meet customer requirements and deadlines. Build the customer relationship and resolve any conflicts that could impact the business plan
• Communicate effectively both internally and externally on all matters pertaining to the efficient day to day running of the customer’s business so that initiatives happen fast and first time.
• Lead the Instore Agenda – Lead the development of Hero UK&I Instore impact within the customer by constantly striving to improve Hero UK&I products position and presence both on-shelf and off-shelf using the category insight generated by the category team.
• Monitor Competitive Activity – Monitor and evaluate competitor activity in the market and make appropriate recommendations/changes to Hero UK&I business/customer strategy as required.
• Administration & Forecast – Ensure accurate and timely completion of all necessary administration (both internal & external) and achieve key targets for forecast and invoice accuracy
• Wider Team Contribution – Play a full and active part in the wider sales team to aid the overall achievement of Hero UK&I’ sales targets
• Drive Continuous Improvement – Act as a catalyst for change and a sales ‘leader’ who does not accept the status quo.

Sustainability

• Responsible for ensuring that sustainable and ethical practices are a key function of your day-to-day role.
• As the interface with our customers and consumers you will have a clear understanding of HeroUK&I sustainability policies, plans and practices and communicate these with stakeholders, as well as support delivery of initiatives.
• You will ensure best practice is delivered on all projects so excessive packaging, wastage, poor supply chain practices and potential write-off concerns are not incurred.

About you

• Extensive retail account management experience within the FMCG sector, customer & brand portfolio management
• Proven commercial skills and proven experience with market and financial data analysis
• Strong communicator and interaction across senior management
• Self-motivated and agile learning approach as we continue to grow
• Full UK driving licence

What We Offer

You will have the opportunity to be part of a mission driven business at a hugely exciting point in our growth trajectory, where your voice is heard and where you’re able to actively impact our business. Some great perks in working for Hero UK&I include:

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
• Private Medical Insurance from day one (plus dental and optical fund)
• Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Contributory pension scheme starting with 5% employer contribution, moving to 10% with service, and access to free pension advice
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Access to Grocery Aid employee assistance resources.
• Massages & Reflexology when you are in our Bournemouth office
• Psycle Classes when you are in our London office
• Salary sacrificed schemes: Childcare support, Home & Tech, Bike to Work and Electric Car Schemes
• On-site parking at our Bournemouth Office
• Hybrid Working and Flexible Bank Holidays
• Summer hours in July and August
• Office perks including team breakfasts and lunches and snacks from all our UK brands
• Learning Opportunities and Study Leave
• Free Deliciously Ella App Access for you and five friends and family

Equal Opportunity Statement

Hero UK&I is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected category under applicable laws.