Head of Sales
18 hours ago
Ditchling
We are proud to be partnered exclusively with the premium, category-leading English wine brand, Ridgeview wine estate, in recruiting a Head of UK sales. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for driving Ridgeview’s UK sales performance across on-trade, off-trade, prestige and key account channels. You will own the UK sales strategy, lead a high-performing team, and deliver sustainable growth while protecting and elevating a premium, award-winning brand. Why this role? • Be part of a pioneering English wine house, internationally recognised for award-winning sparkling wines and category leadership., • Take full ownership of UK sales strategy, driving growth while protecting and enhancing a premium brand position., • Play a central role in shaping how Ridgeview shows up across the UK trade—from prestigious on-trade venues to leading retail partners., • Work closely with the CEO and leadership team, influencing the direction and future of the business., • Lead and inspire a team within a culture that values quality, collaboration and long-term thinking over short-term wins., • Represent a brand with genuine story, provenance and purpose—one that resonates with customers, partners and consumers alike. The Role… • Develop and deliver the UK sales strategy aligned to ambitious growth plans., • Own and deliver commercial performance across all channels, including P&L responsibility, budgets and forecasting., • Identify and unlock new business opportunities across on-trade, retail and route-to-market partners., • Lead all major commercial negotiations, including pricing, contracts, tenders and strategic agreements., • Build and maintain senior relationships with key customers, distributors and industry partners., • Drive promotional strategy and commercial frameworks to maximise return and brand positioning., • Lead, coach and develop the sales team, creating a high-performance, accountable culture., • Work cross-functionally with Marketing and other teams to ensure alignment between brand and commercial execution., • Act as a senior ambassador for the brand across trade, events and industry forums. The Company… Ridgeview is at the forefront of the English wine movement. From its Sussex vineyards to some of the UK’s most prestigious listings, the brand has built its reputation on precision, passion and a relentless commitment to quality. As one of the founding names in English sparkling wine, Ridgeview combines heritage with ambition—continuing to push boundaries while staying true to its roots. The business is driven by a belief in long-term partnerships, sustainable growth and creating wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the world. Joining Ridgeview means becoming part of a story that is still being written—one where commercial success and brand integrity go hand in hand. You… The ideal candidate will bring senior-level sales leadership experience within FMCG, wine, or premium drinks, with a proven track record of delivering sustained commercial growth over a two- to three-year period. They will have significant experience managing and developing key prestige and national accounts, supported by an established network across UK trade channels, including on-trade, off-trade, and distributor relationships. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to develop and execute effective sales strategies, alongside full P&L ownership, including budgeting, forecasting, and margin management. Strong commercial and financial acumen is essential, as is a results-driven mindset and the ability to maximise performance across multiple channels. The role requires advanced negotiation skills, with experience leading high-value contracts and managing complex commercial agreements. The successful candidate will also have a strong background in leading, coaching, and developing high-performing sales teams, and will be comfortable operating in a lean, fast-paced, and hands-on environment. Excellent stakeholder management skills are critical, with the ability to influence at senior level both internally and externally. If you would like to find out more about this role please get in touch with Jake Merrick-Wren - How can we make our recruitment process more accessible for you? You can always talk to us about any adjustments you need to make your life easier. We’re always open to your thoughts and suggestions to make what we do more accessible. Get in touch and let’s work together to make recruitment fair for everyone. Feedback is extremely important, not only is it common courtesy we know it can help improve mental health, provide clarity and help you improve. Marvel FMCG will aim to respond to all applications within 2 working days. Responding makes us human.