National Account & Own Label Development Manager

A Taste of the Job

As our National Account & Own Label Development Manager , you’ll sit at the commercial heart of one of the most strategically important growth engines within Quintessential Brands. Covering Aldi, Lidl, and Co-op , alongside the Convenience & Forecourt channel, this is a senior, field-based role with full accountability for delivering profitable revenue, margin growth, and sustainable distribution expansion.

Reporting to the Head of Grocery & Prestige Retail, you’ll blend disciplined strategic account management with proactive new business development and commercially focused innovation. A core part of the role is leading the Own Label NPD agenda across discounter accounts, identifying category gaps, managing tenders, and delivering innovation that converts into long-term listings and measurable financial return.

This is a role for a commercially sharp operator who thrives in complex, margin-sensitive retail environments and knows how to turn opportunity into scalable growth.

Your Impact Will Include

Strategic Commercial Leadership – Discounters & Co-op

• Own the end-to-end commercial strategy across Aldi, Lidl and Co-op.

• Hold full P&L responsibility, including revenue, gross margin and trade investment.

• Develop and deliver Joint Business Plans aligned to retailer strategy.

• Lead annual negotiations on pricing, promotional frameworks and commercial agreements.

• Manage inflation recovery and margin optimisation strategies.

• Identify growth through space expansion, premium SKU introduction and mix optimisation.

• Drive disciplined forecasting and availability management.

Convenience & Forecourt Growth

• Develop and execute a structured new business strategy across Convenience and Forecourt.

• Identify, prospect and convert regional and national operators.

• Secure scalable distribution through symbol groups and buying consortia.

• Develop impulse-optimised propositions suited to smaller formats.

• Build and manage a robust new business pipeline with clear conversion metrics.

Own Label NPD & Innovation Leadership

• Own the Own Label innovation pipeline for Aldi, Lidl and selected convenience customers.

• Conduct customer gap analysis and range reviews to identify commercially viable NPD opportunities.

• Lead own-label tender submissions from concept through to launch.

• Develop costed, margin-accretive propositions aligned to retailer pricing architecture.

• Partner with NPD and Technical teams to deliver projects OTIF.

• Ensure innovation meets agreed ROI thresholds and delivers incremental revenue and margin.

• Conduct post-launch performance reviews to optimise range and future pipeline.

Commercial & Financial Ownership

• Deliver profitable top-line growth across a diverse and margin-sensitive channel mix.

• Optimise pricing architecture and promotional mechanics.

• Manage trade spend with strict ROI discipline.

• Align demand planning with commercial forecasts.

• Analyse performance data to identify risks and opportunities.

• Provide clear reporting on account performance and pipeline health.

Category & Shopper Development

• Build insight-led selling stories tailored to discounter and convenience formats.

• Support premiumisation within limited-space retail environments.

• Influence decisions through data and shopper insight.

• Collaborate with marketing to deliver impactful in-store and retail media activation.

• Ensure Own Label and branded propositions are underpinned by strong category rationale.

A Flavour of the Business

At Quintessential Brands , we’re a unique blend, a fast-growing global spirits business with over 250 years of distilling heritage . Our award-winning portfolio spans premium, strategic and commercial brands enjoyed across the UK and internationally.

We operate in a lean, entrepreneurial way, giving our commercial leaders genuine ownership and influence. Joining QB, as we’re known to our friends , means rolling up your sleeves, spotting opportunity, and shaping growth across some of the most competitive retail channels in the market.

The Perfect Serve – A Bit About You

You’re a highly commercial account leader with deep discounter experience and a strong track record in own-label innovation. You’re confident owning P&L, leading complex negotiations, and building innovation pipelines that deliver long-term value, not just launches.

You will bring:

• Proven experience managing UK Discounters (Aldi and/or Lidl essential) .

• Experience across Convenience or impulse-led channels (advantageous).

• Demonstrated P&L ownership and margin optimisation success.

• Strong experience leading Own Label NPD and tender processes.

• Commercially sharp negotiation capability in structured retail environments.

• Proven new business development success.

• Strong financial modelling and analytical skills.

• Understanding of route-to-market and wholesale models.

• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint capability (Salesforce advantageous).

• WSET qualification is advantageous.

The Garnish – Benefits That Come With the Role

We know strong commercial leadership deserves strong support. We offer:

• Competitive salary and performance-related bonus

• Company car or car allowance

• Company pension scheme

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Staff product allowance and discounts

The Essence of QB

At Quintessential Brands Group , we proudly continue the legacy of Thomas Dakin , who pioneered quality English gin in 1761. Today, we blend heritage with ambition, building brands and partnerships that win in market and in store.

As National Account & Own Label Development Manager , you’ll play a defining role in delivering profitable growth, sustainable innovation, and long-term value across the UK’s most demanding retail environments.