Overview Our client is a leading global pet food manufacturer, is seeking a highly experienced, results-driven Regional Manager to lead their operations in the UK & Ireland. This senior role carries full P&L accountability, driving sales growth, market share, and brand presence in one of their most important regions.The ideal candidate will combine strategic leadership with hands-on commercial expertise, building strong partnerships with retailers and distributors, while fostering a close and collaborative relationship with the European headquarters and cross-functional leaders to ensure aligned goals, knowledge sharing, and best practice implementation.Purpose of the RoleTo develop, maintain, and grow long-term relationships with key customers, distributors, and partners across the UK & Ireland. The Regional Manager will define and implement strategies that ensure brand consistency, market growth, and sustainable profitability, while aligning with their overall European business objectives. A key aspect of this role is close collaboration with the Managing Director, other country managers, and functional heads (Marketing, Supply Chain & Logistics, Finance, HR) to ensure integrated planning, operational excellence, and seamless execution across the region.Key ResponsibilitiesCommercial LeadershipDevelop and execute the UK & Ireland sales strategy in line with European objectivesAchieve annual revenue, profit, and market share targetsLead high-level negotiations with retail chains, distributors, and other key partnersProvide accurate sales forecasts and deliver against budget commitmentsActively contribute to European leadership meetings, sharing local insights to shape regional strategies.Brand & Marketing ManagementPlan and execute impactful brand and promotional campaigns, in-store and online in close collaboration with the European marketing teamEnsure all activities comply with brand guidelines and protect intellectual propertyUse market and consumer insights to guide product positioning and marketing spendWork closely with the Logistics & Supply Chain departments to ensure timely, successful product launches.Market Development & ExpansionIdentify and secure new business opportunities in the pet food sectorLaunch new products with strong retail activation and promotional supportRepresent our client at trade shows, exhibitions, and industry eventsOperational Excellence & HEADQUARTER (HQ) AlignmentMaintain close, transparent communication with HQ to ensure alignment on strategy, priorities, and performance metricsMonitor competitor activity and provide regular market intelligence to HQ and relevant department headsDrive cross-functional projects in cooperation with Marketing, Logistics & Supply Chain, and Finance to maximise efficiency and customer satisfactionFoster a collaborative, solution-focused working culture between the UK & Ireland, teams and headquarters, ensuring shared successes and alignment on strategic prioritiesRequirementsEssential Qualifications & Skills7–10 years’ sales leadership experience in the pet food industry (FMCG experience an advantage)Proven ability to work collaboratively with international teams and cross-functional leadersProven track record in managing major retail and distribution accountsStrong negotiation, relationship management, and business development skillsAnalytical mindset with experience in market research and data-driven decision-makingSelf-motivated, commercially astute, and results-orientedFluent in English (written and spoken); advanced MS Office skillsBachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related fieldWillingness to travel regularly within the UK, Ireland, and EuropeFull, clean UK or Irish driving licenceKey Leadership CompetenciesStrategic thinking and commercial acumenDrive for results and accountabilityCustomer focus and relationship buildingStrong planning and prioritisation skillsExcellent communication and influencing abilitiesTeam collaboration and stakeholder engagement
Overview
Our client is a leading global pet food manufacturer, is seeking a highly experienced, results-driven Regional Manager to lead their operations in the UK & Ireland. This senior role carries full P&L accountability, driving sales growth, market share, and brand presence in one of their most important regions.
The ideal candidate will combine strategic leadership with hands-on commercial expertise, building strong partnerships with retailers and distributors, while fostering a close and collaborative relationship with the European headquarters and cross-functional leaders to ensure aligned goals, knowledge sharing, and best practice implementation.
Purpose of the Role
To develop, maintain, and grow long-term relationships with key customers, distributors, and partners across the UK & Ireland. The Regional Manager will define and implement strategies that ensure brand consistency, market growth, and sustainable profitability, while aligning with their overall European business objectives. A key aspect of this role is close collaboration with the Managing Director, other country managers, and functional heads (Marketing, Supply Chain & Logistics, Finance, HR) to ensure integrated planning, operational excellence, and seamless execution across the region.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Leadership
- Develop and execute the UK & Ireland sales strategy in line with European objectives
- Achieve annual revenue, profit, and market share targets
- Lead high-level negotiations with retail chains, distributors, and other key partners
- Provide accurate sales forecasts and deliver against budget commitments
- Actively contribute to European leadership meetings, sharing local insights to shape regional strategies.
Brand & Marketing Management
- Plan and execute impactful brand and promotional campaigns, in-store and online in close collaboration with the European marketing team
- Ensure all activities comply with brand guidelines and protect intellectual property
- Use market and consumer insights to guide product positioning and marketing spend
- Work closely with the Logistics & Supply Chain departments to ensure timely, successful product launches.
Market Development & Expansion
- Identify and secure new business opportunities in the pet food sector
- Launch new products with strong retail activation and promotional support
- Represent our client at trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events
Operational Excellence & HEADQUARTER (HQ) Alignment
- Maintain close, transparent communication with HQ to ensure alignment on strategy, priorities, and performance metrics
- Monitor competitor activity and provide regular market intelligence to HQ and relevant department heads
- Drive cross-functional projects in cooperation with Marketing, Logistics & Supply Chain, and Finance to maximise efficiency and customer satisfaction
- Foster a collaborative, solution-focused working culture between the UK & Ireland, teams and headquarters, ensuring shared successes and alignment on strategic priorities
Requirements
Essential Qualifications & Skills
- 7–10 years’ sales leadership experience in the pet food industry (FMCG experience an advantage)
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with international teams and cross-functional leaders
- Proven track record in managing major retail and distribution accounts
- Strong negotiation, relationship management, and business development skills
- Analytical mindset with experience in market research and data-driven decision-making
- Self-motivated, commercially astute, and results-oriented
- Fluent in English (written and spoken); advanced MS Office skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
- Willingness to travel regularly within the UK, Ireland, and Europe
- Full, clean UK or Irish driving licence
Key Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Drive for results and accountability
- Customer focus and relationship building
- Strong planning and prioritisation skills
- Excellent communication and influencing abilities
- Team collaboration and stakeholder engagement
Avomind is a go to firm to hire commercial, strategy and analytics & insights talent globally.Our global network - serviced from Berlin, London, Barcelona, Miami, Jakarta and Singapore is built up of partnerships with >200 leading academic institutions; 25 leading MBA programs and 45 tech institutions.We provide our clients with unlimited access to our network and offer custom recruitment; embedded hiring and talent branding services.Speed is our care value - do expect a first project input within 24 hours. 75% of the hired candidates are part of the 1st week’s batch, that we would deliver on a project.
Avomind is a go to firm to hire commercial, strategy and analytics & insights talent globally.
Our global network - serviced from Berlin, London, Barcelona, Miami, Jakarta and Singapore is built up of partnerships with >200 leading academic institutions; 25 leading MBA programs and 45 tech institutions.
We provide our clients with unlimited access to our network and offer custom recruitment; embedded hiring and talent branding services.
Speed is our care value - do expect a first project input within 24 hours. 75% of the hired candidates are part of the 1st week’s batch, that we would deliver on a project.
