National Account Manager - UK Grocery
About the role
đ Take ZOE onto UK supermarket shelves for the first time!
ZOE has built a world-class, science-led health brand, and now weâre taking our physical products into retail. Next year, our Gut Health Bars launch into major UK grocers, and weâre hiring our first National Account Manager to lead it.
Youâll own our relationships with buyers at grocers like Tesco and Sainsburyâs, shape our retail strategy, and build the function from day one, with a growing pipeline of new products to follow. If youâve personally managed major UK grocers, love a tough negotiation, and want to build something rather than inherit it, this is your opportunity.
đ About the role
This is a genuine zero-to-one role and ZOEâs first commercial hire, with our retail function built around you. We have a clear retail strategy; youâll bring the major grocer expertise to turn it into reality, challenge it where needed, and build the playbook weâll scale from across the UK and beyond.
Youâll lead everything from the first pitch and commercial negotiation through to supplier setup, launch, and trading once weâre on shelf. Itâs a hands-on role that balances strategy and execution: one day youâll be shaping which grocer we launch with first, the next youâll be in a buyer meeting or getting a product live on a supplier portal.
đĽ About the team
Youâll report to Dani, our Associate Director of Operations, within ZOEâs Supply Chain & Operations team. The team makes sure ZOEâs physical products can be launched, supplied and scaled reliably. Youâll work closely with Marketing, Finance, Legal, Product, Quality, Growth and Creative, as well as our suppliers, warehouses and logistics partners.
The team is distributed across the UK, EU and US, working remotely and cross-functionally, with a strong focus on clear ownership, fast decisions and reliable execution.
đŻ What youâll be doing
Retail Strategy: shape where and how ZOE launches into UK grocery, including which retailers to prioritise, how to position our products on shelf, and how we scale to future launches.
Commercial Negotiation: lead negotiations with major grocery buyers yourself, including joint business plans, trading terms, pricing and promotional investment, balancing growth with the confidence to push back and protect ZOEâs interests.
Launches, from Range Review to Shelf: own retailer launches end to end, including range review pitches, critical paths and operational readiness, often with several launches running in parallel.
Supplier Setup: own retailer setup requirements, including supplier portals, product information, pricing, GS1 barcodes, artwork, promotional setups and delivery requirements.
Trading Performance: track rate of sale, availability, distribution, stock cover and promotional uplift, and use the data to make decisions that grow the business.
Supply and Forecasting: work with Supply Chain on forecasting, purchase orders and stock visibility, so products are always available on shelf.
Cross-Functional Leadership: be the driving force that brings internal teams together to unblock decisions and keep launches on track.
Building the Playbook: create the processes, templates and metrics that will help ZOE scale its retail presence across the UK and EU.
đ§ What youâll bring
Major UK Grocer Experience (Essential): youâve personally owned at least one of Tesco, Sainsburyâs, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose or M&S on the supplier side, working for a brand or manufacturer. Typically, youâll have 4+ years of experience in national or key account management.
Commercial Confidence: youâve led buyer negotiations yourself, and you know when to trade, when to hold the line, and how to protect margin.
Hands-on Launch Experience: youâve taken products from range review to shelf, including supplier setup, critical paths and getting stock into distribution centres.
Category Knowledge: experience in food, snacks or consumer health is ideal. If youâre from another FMCG category, you understand the constraints of food, such as shelf life.
A Builderâs Mindset: youâve created processes, trackers or playbooks from scratch, and youâre excited to build a function, not just join one.
Data and Modern Tools: you use retailer data (such as EPOS, dunnhumby, NielsenIQ or Circana), dashboards, and ideally AI tools to work smarter.
Strategic Thinking: you can see the bigger picture of how a new brand should approach the major grocers, and bring others along with your thinking.
đ What we offer
Competitive base salary, depending on level
Share options, so you share in the growth you help create
A full benefits package covering health, wellbeing, family life and personal growth
Remote-first working in the UK, with quarterly get-togethers in London and an annual company retreat.
⨠Our Hiring Journey
We value your time. While the exact steps and timeline can vary slightly depending on the role, seniority, and team, weâve designed a streamlined 4-step blueprint to get us from "Hello" to "Welcome to the team" as efficiently as possible:
đ Intro Chat with the Talent Team: A high-energy alignment check to learn about you and share our vision.
đ§ Hiring Manager Interview: A tactical conversation focused on your craft, experience, and aspirations.
đ The Remote Loop: 2 to 4 focused interviews assessing your technical expertise, behavioural approach, and collaboration style.
đ Offer & Welcome: Finalising the details and getting you ready to hit the ground running!
Once we connect, we pride ourselves on moving fast. Our average hiring process takes between 20 to 30 days, depending on the complexity of the role.
We love momentum, but weâre always happy to adjust the timeline to match your schedule and personal preference.
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đ Ready to thrive? Apply Now
If you are genuinely excited about ZOE's mission and this opportunity, please don't hesitate to applyâeven if you don't meet every single requirement listed. We fundamentally value potential and commitment above all else.
ZOE is an equal opportunity employer. If you require any reasonable accommodations during the interview process, just let us knowâwe are here to support you.
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Not the perfect match? Join ZOE's Talent Community!
If this role isn't the exact right fit, or the timing isn't right, don't let the journey end here. Drop your resume here. When a role opens up that matches your unique superpowers, you'll be the first person we reach out to.
đ¸ Stay Curious. Follow the Journey.
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