Customer Lead
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£55,200
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 3556 (80% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £55,200, and Boehringer Ingelheim is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2432 (Marketing and commercial managers, Commercial negotiations and strategy could fit marketing/commercial manager) or SOC 1132 (Marketing, sales and advertising directors, Strategic account leadership with P&L accountability could be director-level). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3556 Sales accounts and business development managers Most likely code | £38,600 | £55,200 | £55,200 | £55,200 |
2432 Marketing and commercial managers Also possible | £35,000 | £40,000 | £45,100 | £50,100 |
1132 Marketing, sales and advertising directors Also possible | £61,100 | £69,800 | £78,600 | £87,300 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
THE POSITION
The Customer Lead for Pets at Home is responsible for leading and developing one of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK's most strategically important retail partnerships. The role is accountable for delivering sustainable and profitable growth through excellent customer management, commercial execution and the development of joint business plans.
The role is responsible for developing and delivering the customer strategy, driving commercial performance, stakeholder engagement and executional excellence. Success requires strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking and the ability to build effective cross-functional partnerships. Through strategic account management and collaboration, the role identifies growth opportunities and delivers sustainable sales and market share growth.
This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity with a hybrid working model, combining remote working with regular travel to customer sites and Boehringer Ingelheim office.
TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Account Management
- Develop and implement a customer strategy aligned with business objectives and commercial priorities
- Create, execute and maintain customer business plans to deliver sustainable sales, profit and market share growth
- Identify category, customer and brand growth opportunities through market analysis, customer insights and business performance data
- Develop and maintain stakeholder maps, customer profiles, competitor assessments and market landscape reviews
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key customer stakeholders across commercial, category, marketing and leadership functions
- Lead customer business reviews, performance updates and strategic planning discussions
- Influence internal and external stakeholders to align priorities and deliver mutually beneficial outcomes
Commercial Leadership
- Participate in commercial negotiations, including annual agreements, pricing strategies, promotional plans and trade investment discussions
- Manage customer P&L performance to ensure profitable and sustainable growth
- Monitor account performance against agreed business objectives and identify opportunities, risks and corrective actions
- Build accurate sales forecasts and contribute to business planning processes
- Apply strong commercial judgement to anticipate changing customer, market and competitive dynamics
Customer Growth & Execution
- Drive excellence across range optimisation, availability, pricing, promotions, digital shelf performance and in-store activation
- Ensure effective execution of customer initiatives in line with agreed retail activation plans
- Use customer, category and shopper insights to develop growth opportunities and commercial recommendations
- Partner with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Customer Excellence and Category teams to deliver best-in-class execution
- Monitor KPIs and performance metrics, implementing actions to improve commercial outcomes and customer results
- Identify and implement initiatives that strengthen customer partnerships and deliver category growth
Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Category, Finance, Customer Excellence and Global Retail teams to achieve shared business objectives
- Maintain effective communication with local and global stakeholders, providing regular performance updates, insights and recommendations
- Coordinate internal resources to support successful delivery of customer plans and strategic initiatives
- Gather and share customer, competitor and market insights to support business planning and decision-making
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with the Boehringer Ingelheim Code of Conduct, company policies and relevant industry requirements
- Maintain a strong understanding of applicable governance standards, compliance requirements and business procedures
- Complete all mandatory compliance and governance training within required timelines
- Promote a culture of compliance, transparency, accountability and continuous improvement
- Support the identification, escalation and resolution of compliance-related issues where required
REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience
Skills & Experience
- Proven success in Key Account Management, National Account Management or Customer Development within FMCG, Consumer Healthcare, Retail or comparable customer-facing environments
- Significant experience managing high-value, strategically important customer partnerships and delivering sustainable commercial growth
- Strong commercial acumen with a proven ability to manage customer P&Ls, trade investment, forecasting and business performance
- Demonstrated success in developing and executing customer business plans and long-term growth strategies
- Exceptional negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage credibly at all levels of an organisation
- Strong understanding of retail and category management principles, customer development strategies and commercial planning processes
- Ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with senior customer stakeholders and key decision-makers
- Proven ability to lead, influence and align cross-functional teams to achieve shared business objectives without direct authority
WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
Boehringer Ingelheim has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, demonstrating our commitment to building an exceptional workplace through strong people practices and supportive HR policies.
Learn more: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk/careers/uk-careers/why-great-place-work
Our Company
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
Why Boehringer Ingelheim?
With us, you can develop your own path in a company with a culture that knows our differences are our strengths - and break new ground in the drive to make millions of lives better.
Here, your development is our priority. Supporting you to build a career as part of a workplace that is independent, authentic and bold, while tackling challenging work in a respectful and friendly environment where everyone is valued and welcomed.
Alongside, you have access to programs and groups that ensure your health and wellbeing are looked after - as we make major investments to drive global accessibility to healthcare. By being part of a team that is constantly innovating, you'll be helping to transform lives for generations.
Want to learn more? Visit https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Boehringer Ingelheim, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Sales accounts and business development managers (SOC 3556) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~448k in sample- Middle half £40,144–71,448
- Median £53,820
- Going rate £55,200
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £38,600–49,680
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Browse more sponsored jobs at Boehringer IngelheimAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Boehringer Ingelheim holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 3556 going rate of £55,200. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.