Senior Business Leader - NZ Grocery

124 Pah Road, Royal Oak, Auckland 1023, New Zealand

Sanitarium is a progressive and dynamic business that is New Zealand owned and produces New Zealand’s leading breakfast products – Up & Go, So Good, Alternative Dairy Co range and New Zealand’s favourite breakfast Weet-Bix.

Reporting to the National Sales Manager, the Senior Business Leader is accountable for leading Sanitarium’s Grocery function across New Zealand, with responsibility for strategic direction, commercial performance, people leadership, and capability development across a portfolio exceeding $200m in revenue.

This role leads a team of National Account Managers and Sales Account Support, driving best‑in‑class commercial execution, strengthening customer partnerships with key grocery retailers, and ensuring long‑term, profitable growth aligned to Sanitarium’s national objectives.

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• Lead the development and execution of the NZ Grocery strategic plan, aligned to national business priorities
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• Champion medium‑ to long‑term customer and category strategies across FSNI, WWNZ, and FSSI
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• Drive disciplined commercial optimisation across pricing, promotions, and trade investment efficiency
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• Lead Joint Business Planning (JBP) at a senior level, delivering mutual value for customers and Sanitarium
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• Maintain strong, trusted relationships with senior retail executives and key decision‑makers
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• Own financial performance outcomes, including profitability, ROI, and trade discipline
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• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing account leadership team, building a strong succession pipeline
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• Foster a culture of strategic thinking, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
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• Ensure robust governance, compliance, performance reporting, and alignment with WHS and regulatory requirements
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You are a senior FMCG commercial leader with a strong track record of leading complex customer portfolios and high‑performing teams. You bring a balance of strategic foresight, financial discipline, and relationship leadership, with the ability to influence outcomes through insight, partnership, and integrity.

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• 10+ years’ experience in senior sales, category, or commercial leadership roles within FMCG or Retail
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• Proven success in developing and executing customer‑led growth strategies
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• Demonstrated ownership of complex commercial outcomes and P&L performance
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• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including trade investment optimisation
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• Proven capability in leading, coaching, and developing leadership teams
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• The ability to balance short‑term delivery with long‑term strategic growth
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• A leadership style aligned with Sanitarium’s values, ethics and purpose‑driven culture
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• A tertiary qualification in Sales, Marketing or Business is preferred.
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All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the legal right to work in New Zealand.