Company Description

Wren Laboratories Ltd is the company behind Optibac Probiotics, the UK’s most recommended range of friendly bacteria supplements. We believe in cultivating an environment where talent thrives, ideas flourish, and every team member plays a crucial role in our collective success.

As scientists discover more about the important role of the gut in overall health and wellbeing, the global demand for probiotic supplements is increasing dramatically and as the experts in friendly bacteria, specialising entirely in live cultures, we are committed to producing a high quality supplement range containing some of the most researched strains in the world, developed in the world’s leading laboratories.

Our award-winning range is sold in the UK, Ireland and many international markets via multiple different sales channels including pharmacies, health food stores, grocery, online retailers, marketplaces and Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners.

Pioneers of the probiotics supplement category, Optibac has long been championing the gut health revolution, tirelessly educating professionals and consumers alike on the benefits of friendly bacteria in maintaining overall health and wellbeing.  Our continual mission is to ‘empower millions of people to change their lives with the power of probiotics’.

As a family-run business we have a strong focus on work-life balance, maintaining a vibrant & inspiring workplace and ensuring contributions are recognised and valued. There is also a commitment to giving back to wider society through charitable giving, Wren Labs has donated over £2m to charitable causes.

We believe that a diverse, inclusive culture drives creativity and success.  We strive to create a workplace that values all people, where we embrace differences, and everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE JOB 

The UK & Ireland sales team is a highly dynamic team, with strong technical and commercial aptitude.  We pride ourselves on being team players, personable, good communicators, organised, commercial and professional.

Working closely with the Senior Account Manager this role will take ownership & manage some of our National accounts whilst prospecting new business avenues for growth within the account portfolio. They will conduct high level negotiations and develop strategic & innovative solutions with their accounts to promote and create revenue growth for Optibac Probiotics and increase profitability in the channel.

Flexibility is essential at Wren Laboratories, with all teams working closely together to support and develop the ‘Optibac’ brand, so occasional additional support duties may be required in other areas of the business.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILTIES

This document outlines the duties required of the post to indicate the level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and duties may vary from time to time but these would not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility.

The post will include, but is not limited to:

• Create strategic account plans with insights to grow rate of sale
• Manage Joint Business Plans (JBP) with buyer
•  Develop and maintain relationships for long terms success
• Use brand insights & category data to create compelling selling stories
• Negotiate with buyers and maximise ROI for all investments
• Forecast sales, manage budgets, targets, and profitability
• Support in creating customer communication to strengthen trust and visibility with retail partners
• Monitor in store and online execution and look for opportunities to drive rate of sale and test and learn new shopper marketing initiatives
• Collaborate cross functionally with brand, supply chain, and marketing teams to ensure alignment and delivery against customer needs.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the sector, keeping & remaining up-to date with market trends and competitor development
• Attend customer meetings, trade shows, and events to represent the business professionally and credibly
• Ensure brand consistency and retail criteria compliance met by accounts
• Administrative tasks such as new lines forms / PO’s
• Support SNAM with larger accounts and contribute to JBPs

DESIRABLE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships
• Confident presentation and communication skills
• Proactive, responsive and self-motivated with a results driven positive attitude
• Strong organisational and administration skills, with an eye for detail
• Can make decisions and provide solutions in challenging situations
• Proficiency across MS Office packages (Word, PowerPoint, and particularly Excel)
• Highly organised with excellent prioritisation and time management
• Flexible, agile, resilient and willing to adapt to change

KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Essential: 4+ years of working within FMCG
• Desirable: Experience of VMS or Health & Wellness sector
• Knowledge / familiarity of grocery retailers and their retail portals
• Good understanding of retailer JBPs & category review processes
• Ability to develop own selling story to present to buyers influentially at range review
• Experience of managing investment budgets & supporting P&L processes
• Good understanding of key metrics, with strong analytical mindset to confidently interpret data and identify opportunities to grow ROI
• Ability to demonstrate the use of different tools to drive sales