ALISTAIR HALL
INTERIM COMMERCIAL FMCG SPECIALIST
SUMMARY
Providing bespoke Interim Management solutions for FMCG / SME businesses across a range of commercial disciplines.
Arrive seamlessly, agree and deliver objectives on time, in full and within budget. Engage with client teams and share
best practice, transition projects back in-house, exit professionally and smoothly.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
An experienced Interim Manager able to successfully align strategic thinking with operational delivery for positive
business results. Extensive client facing customer management within FMCG and SME’s. Experienced in building
branded and own-label business across a range of market sectors, including an in-depth current working knowledge of
the Top 6 UK Multiple Grocers. Fluent in French, Internationally experienced, skilled at building winning teams, I am
able to communicate at all business levels with key skills in:General Management
Leadership
Strategy Development
SME M&A
Sales Account Management
Joint Business Plans
Profit / KPI Analysis & Mgt
New Business Development
Team Development
New Product Development
Supply Chain / Operations
Procurement
HEADLINE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
-
People leadership – extensive experience of building and developing high performing commercial teams. An
experienced talent developer, coach, leader and direct influencer of KPI and ‘Gallup’ performance.
Joint Business Plans - significant direct and supporting account management experience, personally
handling over £¼bn of retail business throughout the last 10 years, creating, negotiating, implementing JBP’s,
delivering turnover, EBIT and market share growth, whilst improving external relationships and TAS.
VC turnaround – primary lead for a confectionery business, including full brand creation, company structure
and market proposition resulting in the securing of six New Business national supply contracts, delivering over
100% EBIT growth within two years, ahead of budget plan.
Category Management – managed and streamlined a confectionery supply base by 40%, delivered a
category terms improvement of 5%, reduced stockholding by 18% against a 20% SKU count increase.
Cross-functional Business Units – created and led in several FMCG businesses, including a cross-regional
team in Australia and an in-client team in J Sainsbury’s. A highly capable operator in matrixed environments.
International Logistics - created and led a team of 15 through an 18 month project as a supplier to a major
UK retailer resulting in the roll-out of the logistics consolidation project across the retailer’s deep-sea wine
shipment supply base. Retailer UK stock holding reduction of 40% within 12 months, supplier confidential
income stream gain.
INTERIM CAREER:
12th Man Interim Solutions Ltd – Owner / Director
2010 to date
Commercial Interim Management business established to serve FMCG, Retail and SME businesses. Operating on an
external consultancy or interim basis within client teams, positively leading the people and customer agendas.
Recent assignments:
blu UK Ltd (e-cigarettes) – Interim Commercial Director
May 2014 to Dec 2014
UK subsidiary of Blu e-cigs, the global leader and innovator in the electronic cigarette category. A senior
commercial strategic and operational role, leading the UK & European business through a growth and
transition phase (re-structure, distributor outsourcing and acquisition). Team of 75 (15 direct).
MARS Chocolate UK
August 2012 to April 2014
$33bn Global food and drink manufacturer. Three back-to-back assignments. Six direct reports for each
assignment, channel values £50m - £100m NSV.

Interim Channel Controller – High Street & Convenience Sector (6 months)

Interim Channel Controller – Wholesale Sector (6 months)

Interim Channel Controller – Discount Sector (9 months)
Nestlé World Foods (OSEM UK)
Oct 2010 to July 2012
CHF 92bn Global food and drink manufacturer. Cross functional team management of six in-direct reports plus
direct client management of three Multiple Grocers and one fresh food distributor.

Interim Business Unit Manager – Grocery Sector
PERMANENT CAREER:
The Treat Company – UK General Manager
2008 – 2010
A confectionery division of the VC backed Blueberry Group (VC - 3i/Close Growth Capital).
A Group leadership role with team management responsibility of six direct reports. Recruited to build a profitable,
branded, consumer driven business from an under-invested, un-branded, single route-to-market dependent
existing business. Full P&L responsibility to EBIT level.
Reason for leaving: To set up own business
Beam Global Spirits & Wine – Business Unit Manager (Grocery)
2006 - 2007
Part of Fortune Brands (now Suntory), a US $8bn Consumer brands business. Commercial handling of Courvoisier
Cognac, Cockburn's Port, Laphroaig Single Malt, Maker’s Mark Bourbon and Harveys Sherry to the UK Grocery Market.
Management of two of the Top 6 UK Grocery Multiples (J Sainsbury’s and Wm. Morrison), creation of cross-functional
business units, significant client relationship rebuilding and involvement in creating new drinking solutions.
Reason for leaving: Office location moved to South Coast
The Wine Group – Sales Director (Northern Europe)
2005
UK subsidiary of The Wine Group Inc (USA), a $500m Wine Business.
Responsible for the Sales and Marketing of branded and own-label Californian Wines to the UK & European drinks
trade (On & Off trade). Direct involvement with UK & International retailers including the appointment and
management of in-market distributors.
Reason for leaving: Redundancy due to controlled closure of the business
Southcorp Wines Europe Ltd – Business Manager (J Sainsbury’s)
2002 - 2005
UK based £200m+ turnover (now Treasury Wine Estates). Sales and Marketing of Penfolds, Rosemount and
Lindemans wines. Leading the J Sainsbury’s business, heading up a cross-functional/regional commercial team.
Reason for leaving: Career progression
E&J Gallo Winery Europe Ltd – Senior National Account Manager (Tesco)
1995 - 2001
£100m+ UK Subsidiary of Ernest & Julio Gallo (USA). Sales & Marketing of Californian wine into the UK & European
Drinks Trade. Management of all formats of the Tesco business, Gallo’s Number One European Account. Previous
internal roles included: NAM (Asda, Co-op), Retail Sales Operations Manager (Team management and regional
account role), Retail Sales Executive (Grocery), European Sales Executive (Belgium & France)
Reason for leaving: Career progression
EDUCATION
University:
2 European Business Degrees

BA (Hons) European Business Administration (B.A.E.B.A.), London, UK

Diplôme D’Études Supérieures Européennes de Management (D.E.S.E.M.), Reims, France
Senior Education:

Nottingham High School: A-level Economics, French and Pure Maths. 8 GCSE’s
Further studies:

WSET Spirits (Professional), WSET Wine (Intermediate), plus a wide variety of in-house training courses
including account management, presentation skills, negotiation (GAP) and people management.

Recent MARS & Nestlé UK Competition Law courses completed.
PERSONAL / INTERESTS
I am married with two children, a keen sportsman enjoying skiing, golf, competitive league cricket and dog-walking in
the countryside. I have lived and studied in Europe and travelled extensively internationally through my career. I
enjoy experiencing different cultures and sampling their local food and drink. I have recently completed a two year
voluntary role as Chairman of Plumtree Cricket Club, leading a Premier League club in Nottinghamshire into the
future, including overseeing a £¼m grant and donation funded capital re-development of the club whilst heading up a
voluntary team of 15 sub-committee heads. I am British and have a full, clean UK driving licence.
alistair@12thmangroup.com
01949 861 340 / 07970 858 671
LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/alistairhall
The Old Barn, 22 Main Street, Harby, Leicestershire, LE14 4BN