Job Description

Channel Director, On Trade
Your Manager: Commercial Director
Team: Commercial
Location: Office based. We operate a hybrid working approach, which allows you to manage your time between home and office
About us
We are Pernod Ricard, a leading company in the global spirits industry with over 19,000 employees globally. We own 16 of the world's top 100 Spirits Brands and hold one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry with 240 premium brands available in over 160 countries, including: Absolut vodka, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater, Malfy and Monkey 47 gins, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes.
About the team
This position sits in our Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK) business. Our diverse population of 270 passionate employees have been creating conviviality since 2001, bringing our premium brands and unforgettable experiences to the UK. As the world's 2nd largest spirits market, the UK is a key location for our company.
At PRUK, we have a culture that blends performance and conviviality: we are recognised as an open and diverse business with a firm commitment to our employees' wellness, inclusion and safety and to making a positive impact on our industry and environment.
The UK market is a well-developed, competitive environment with a number of large competitors selling to very well-developed trade segments. The On Trade consists of over 100,000 licensed premises supplied by a number of large national and many small regional wholesalers. Although the On Trade Channel in totality has been under pressure in recent years, the markets that Pernod Ricard operates in remain comparatively buoyant. Thus, the channel is an important contributor to the profit of Pernod Ricard in the UK as well as playing a vital role in building the equity of our brands with consumers.
About your role
The Channel Director's primary purpose is to deliver the annual business plan, drive customer & team engagement and build organisational capability in the On-Trade Channel. Leading a team of 5 Controllers (indirect team of
75) who lead their commercial functions and include Commercial Operations.
Key Responsibilities

• Define, design, deliver and develop strategies to provide superior returns to PRUK. Lead the channel team through this.
• Deliver the annual plan for volumes and contribution in line with strategic intent
• Performance Challenge - monitor quality delivery across customers and the team
• Recruit, retain/remove, and build human capital within the channel
• Build PRUK share of voice with customers well beyond natural share position, and build effective networks for leverage
• Embrace and embed PRUK values within the channel and create a high performing team culture
• Embed a strong culture of Innovation, creative solutions and doing more with less across channel teams
• Ensure Knowledge basis within PRUK remains at the cutting edge of industry best practice
• Ensure PRUK has robust commercial processes and delivery mechanisms
• Build relational capital with media and 3rd parties and act as a PRUK Ambassador
• Build insights and knowledge of key competitor strategies

Key Relationships

• Membership of leadership teams within PRUK, e.g. Leadership team, & Commercial Channel Leadership
• HR, Marketing Finance and Supply Chain are key business partners
• With PR Group brand companies Pernod Ricard Commercial Development and peer group networks
• External relationships primary customer networks but with media and 3rd party agencies plus industry groups.

What you need

• UK On Trade experience in the Beers, Wine & Spirits industry, with a proven network
• A track record of:

• Commercial Achievement - based on clear thing, strong negotiation skills, customer centricity.
• Leadership of a Large Team - up to 80 people
• Strong Networking Skills - internally & externally
• Commitment to be 'the face' of PRUK in the On Trade - involves commitment to travel & planned attendance at on trade events / customer meetings - often in the evening
• Commercial strategic thinking
• Ability to Lead Transformation Projects
• Convivial, people focused, affinity to the Brands & the Sector
• Broader Leadership Impact - demonstrates influence and leadership beyond commercial functions, contributing to cross-functional strategy, culture, and enterprise-wide initiatives.

Job Posting End Date: 2025-09-01
Target Hire Date: 2025-10-08
Target End Date: