About the role
Job Description:
Mars is a family-owned business that has been making products for people and their pets for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, ECLIPSE®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, DOLMIO®, BEN’S ORIGINAL ® MASTERFOODS ® and ROYAL CANIN® ORIJEN® ACANA® we are dedicated to making a positive impact on people and the planet.
Join us in building a sustainable future where people, communities, and the planet can truly thrive.
Role Title: National Business Manager – WWNZ, Specialty & Agri
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Hours & Arrangement: Full-time.
Reporting to: Customer Director
About the role:
We are looking for an inspiring leader to join our New Zealand Multi-Sales team as a National Business Manager. If you are a commercial strategist who thrives on developing talent, rebuilding partnerships, and leading high-performing teams through exciting retail transformations, this is your next career-defining move.
You will take full strategic and operational ownership of the Woolworths New Zealand portfolio Specialty, and Agriculture channels.
This is not just about maintaining a portfolio—it is about leading a significant business shift and driving a team reset. You will lead, coach, and re-engage a dedicated team, establishing new ways of working and set a clear vision to win.
What are your key responsibilities?
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute tailored customer solutions (assortment, merchandising, pricing, promotion) that align with shopper, channel, and category-centric goals.
- Team Development & Coaching: Act as a dedicated mentor and leader. Build capability, drive accountability, and champion succession planning to help your team of Key Account Managers and Key Account Executives to reach their full potential.
- Customer Focus: Drive the customer agenda and build deeply collaborative, influential joint business plans with senior retail stakeholders to elevate our partnership to the top tier.
- Commercial Excellence: Manage the customer P&L and a combined trade spend budget to optimize commercial performance, ROI, and sustainable category growth.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with SLT, Category & Insights, Shopper Marketing, Strategic Revenue Management, and Demand & Supply teams to deliver flawless market execution for new product launches and daily operations.
What we’re looking for?
- Senior FMCG/Grocery Experience: A proven track record in senior-level account management, specifically within the New Zealand grocery landscape.
- Inspiring People Leadership: Exceptional coaching and leadership skills. You have a passion for developing talent and a proven ability to motivate, align, and unite a team during times of organizational change.
- Negotiation & Commercial Acumen: Strong financial acumen with experience managing substantial P&L portfolios, optimizing trade investment, and navigating complex commercial negotiations.
- Relationship Builder: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to influence senior key decision-makers and secure category captaincy/advisory partnerships.
- Resilience & Agility: A positive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to manage complexity, navigate conflict, and drive results in a fast-paced, evolving retail market.
- Qualifications: A tertiary degree in business, marketing, or a related discipline is preferred.
Why you’ll love working for Mars:
- Purpose: Help craft beloved brands with a legacy of over 100 years of local manufacturing making products that people and pets will love all while helping to build a more sustainable future.
- People: A culture that values your contributions, fosters leadership, and recognises the impact you make. Your work truly matters here.
- Development: Shape your career with personalised development and real opportunities to grow from day one.
- Enjoy a team and business environment that is invested in helping you manage and grow your energy for work and life.
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