Key Customer Manager - London & South

Who Are We?

Theakston’s are one of the UK’s most iconic ale brewers. Established almost 200 years ago in North Yorkshire. This family run brewing company is famous for the quality of its beers, especially its legendary Old Peculier. Theakston’s enjoys a national profile and a regional strength that has helped its cask and keg beers build strong sales over many generations. With a potent mix of heritage and innovation, we have an ambitious growth agenda.

We are proud to partner with Swinkels UK, part of the family-owned Royal Swinkels Group (known for its brands – La Trappe, Rodenbach, Bavaria and Uiltje), and Brennan’s Brewery, an award-winning independent Irish brewer. This independent family-brewing partnership creates an exciting and diverse portfolio that blends heritage, international strength, and innovation across cask, keg, and packaged formats.

We are looking for experienced sales professionals who love building brand distribution, share our passion for great beer, and believe that on-trade success is built on close, supportive customer relationships.

If you are based in London and are interested in working with Theakston’s and our brewery partners, we would love to hear from you.

The Role

This is a pivotal position in our growing national on-trade team, blending new business development with key customer management. You will be responsible for driving distribution and volume growth across Theakston, Swinkels, and Brennan’s Brewery brands — managing key regional pub groups and premium free-trade accounts in the London region.

Reporting to the Channel Development Managers, you will:

Manage and grow trusted commercial relationships with key regional customers and route-to-market partners.
Analyse data and use insights to identify, win and develop new business opportunities in the premium on-trade, from contemporary bars to traditional pubs.
Deliver joint business plans to achieve volume, revenue, and brand distribution targets in collaboration with the CDMs.
Lead commercial negotiations and ensure trading agreements deliver mutual benefit.
Collaborate closely with the marketing teams to deliver on-trade marketing solutions to support our beer at launch and once established with new customers.

About You

You will be a commercially savvy, relationship-driven individual who combines strategic thinking with on-trade instinct. You enjoy the thrill of gaining new business as much as you do nurturing long-term relationships, and you take pride in representing independent brewers in a competitive market. You will bring:

A passion for beer and pubs, and the positive contributions they make to our community.
Proven experience in on-trade account management or business development — ideally in beer, cider, or premium drinks.
A confident and enthusiastic personality who takes pride in building deep customer relationships and delivering exceptional service, working with key pub groups and free-trade customers.
Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering growth.
Excellent negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
The ability to think strategically while also delivering day-to-day challenges.
An ability to operate independently but also be able to collaborate with and contribute in a small, dynamic team.
A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across the region.

Benefits

Competitive base salary (£42,000 – £45,000 depending on experience)
34 days holiday (including bank holidays)
10% of salary pension contribution
Travel Card
Monthly beer allowance across all partner breweries
Opportunity to work with a unique and diverse brewing partnership of three independent brewers.

Further Details