Business Head - Modern Trade

You will be responsible for leading the Modern Trade channel in the mattress and sleep solutions industry. Your role as the Business Lead Modern Trade will involve strategic thinking, account management, and operational execution to drive visibility, availability, and revenue. Key Responsibilities: - Develop and execute the modern trade strategy aligned with business objectives. - Identify new retail partnerships across large-format stores like Home Centre, Pepperfry, IKEA, etc. and drive market expansion. - Lead product placement, assortment planning, and category growth within modern retail. - Build and maintain relationships with category buyers and decision-makers at key accounts. - Create joint business plans (JBPs) and ensure their execution with retail partners. - Ensure planogram compliance, in-store branding, and deployment of promotional campaigns. - Work with retail partners to enhance consumer experience through staff training, visual merchandising, and product trials. - Track footfall-to-conversion metrics and focus on improving store-level productivity. - Collaborate with supply chain, marketing, and product teams to ensure stock availability, promotional readiness, and timely product launches. - Partner with finance and commercial teams for budgeting, claims, and reconciliation. - Lead a team of Key Account Managers and Regional Business Development Executives. - Monitor performance, coach team members, and ensure timely reporting and feedback loops. Qualifications: - Education: MBA in Sales, Marketing, or Retail Management from a reputed institute. - Experience: 8-12 years of sales experience, with a minimum of 3-5 years in the Modern Trade channel within FMCD/Furnishing/Home Decor or allied sectors. Experience with high-ticket durable consumer products preferred (mattresses, furniture, appliances, etc.). Key Skills: - Excellent knowledge of modern retail formats such as LFRs, specialty stores, e-commerce-led offline retail, Local Retail Chains. - Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills. - Analytical mindset with the ability to drive data-backed decision-making. - Proficient in MS Office, sales dashboards, and CRM tools.,