BOB TRICE
10 Collingwood Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 7WG
Tel: 01293 883284 (home) 07912 274304 (mobile phone)
Email: bobtrice@btinternet.com
PROFILE
Successful and engaging senior manager with a track record of driving profitable sales growth in an
extensive range of food and nutrition companies. Expert coach, outstanding communicator and
highly effective general manager.
Currently working independently on a range of assignments including part time/interim
management, NEDs, coaching and charity projects, specialising in nutrition and healthcare.
Most recently held the position of Managing Director of a gluten free food business based in the
North West, responsible for 40 UK based staff and reporting directly to head office in Italy, where I
successfully integrated the UK business into the global organisation whilst continually increasing
margins and profits, as well as coaching and developing a wide variety of company staff. Gained
experience in retail, healthcare and foodservice sectors, and directly managed the marketing team.
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Previously helped to set up a Japanese vitamin/mineral company in the UK, and before that had a
long and successful career with Nestle in the UK and Switzerland, in the consumer research,
marketing and management areas.
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
SELF EMPLOYED BUSINESS CONSULTANT November 2014 to present
Set up own company to focus on part time/interim management roles, coaching, NEDs and
charity work
DR SCHAR UK Sept 2007 – October 2014
Managing Director of the UK/IRE business for this international market leader in gluten-free
foods. Responsible for 40 staff, including 10 direct reports and for a turnover of £30m.
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Lead the company, maintaining focus and motivation, through a turbulent time during
which one UK office was closed, several brands were discontinued, and the business
moved from a standalone company into a fully integrated subsidiary of the Dr Schar Group,
Improved retail sales profitability by 60%, whilst sustaining planned sales turnover
Improved healthcare sales and penetration in a flat market through consumer insight,
product quality improvements and extensive marketing campaigns
Dramatically improved sales in new sectors – Ireland, Foodservice – and launched a highly
successful range of low protein products
Worked closely with direct reports in the UK (finance, supply chain, HR, QA, sales,
marketing, R&D) and with Group management to devise and deliver clear strategic goals
Worked extensively with the NHS, industry group (I am a board member of the BSNA),
patient charity and the media to safeguard the future of gluten-free foods on prescription
SUN CHLORELLA CORPORATION July 2006 – Aug 2007
Joined a well-established and traditional Japanese health food supplements company, setting up in
the UK, as Sales and Marketing Manager based in central London.
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Set up the UK business, in consultation with head office in Japan, recruiting 4 staff in sales
and marketing
Planned and executed the marketing strategy, including a direct to consumer launch
mailing that achieved the highest response ever seen by the marketing agency
Developed online sales shop and retailer/wholesaler business resulting in growth from
zero to £2m in one year
MARKETING CONSULTANT Nov 2005 - June 2006
Left Nestle following a change to the structure of the European healthcare business and set up as a
consultant working on marketing projects for a range of clients including:
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Novartis Medical Nutrition – team coaching, business development, marketing planning
Nestle UK - consumer insight and company image project
Anaphylaxis Campaign (Allergy Charity) - compiling a report on allergy issues
Pharmexx Alchemy UK (contract sales provider) – helped the company pitch for and win a
significant account in the medical nutrition area
THE NESTLE COMPANY 1983 – Oct 2005
Head of Nutrition Marketing UK, Croydon 2003 – Oct 2005
Responsibility for all specialist nutrition marketing, including Infant and Performance Nutrition.
Reporting to the General Manager, UK Nutrition. 5 direct reports
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Developed a full range of new Infant nutrition products to launch into a new sector of the
market within a 9 month period
Worked as part of a senior industry group with the objective of safeguarding the medical
nutrition business, resulting in the creation of the definitive malnutrition screening tool
Devised and led the implementation of a comprehensive CRM campaign to District Nurses
resulting in 50% sales increase and the l Pharmaceutical Marketing award for best DM.
Represented the UK on an international team to study and develop a new range of nutrition
solutions to launch in the UK in 2006, and became the key driver of the project
Head of Clinical Nutrition UK, Croydon 1998 - 2003
Recruited into the newly formed Specialist Nutrition Unit, launched after the termination of a joint
venture with another major Nutrition Company, with the objective to develop a Clinical Nutrition
business. Reported to the General Manager, UK Nutrition. 5 direct reports.
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Developed the credibility and success of Nestlé’s Clinical Nutrition offering in the UK
delivering exceptional growth of 50% per year over 5 years
Planned a customer influencing programme which started to deliver hospital contract wins
after a year of consistent application, and which now stands at 20+ wins worth £2m+
Conceived, directed and managed a unique approach to Primary Care Trusts resulting in
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market share increase from zero to 60% within 6 months
Managed the launch of a unique disease specific clinical nutrition product for Crohn’s
disease leading to rapid adoption and a multimillion pound business
Planned, organised and managed Nestlé’s participation in a highly successful European
Nutrition Conference utilising effectively a budget of £200,000
Commercial Manager, New Business, Foodservice UK, Croydon 1995 - 1998
Returned from Switzerland to take up a new position within Foodservice. Reported to Head of New
Business Development.4 Direct reports.
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Participated in the development of Nescafe Coffee Shops in Eurotunnel, taking a business
idea from concept to reality and managing the successful result in conjunction with the
UK’s leading contract caterer and Eurotunnel management
Working closely with R&D and a factory in Germany, developed a unique product in the
fast food industry which enabled Nestle to develop business in an important part of the
catering market, leading to double digit sales growth
European Marketing Manager, Cereal Partners Worldwide, Switzerland 1991 - 1995
Promoted to the position of European Marketing Manager within a joint venture (Nestle and
General Mills) breakfast cereal company located in Switzerland.
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Conducted a thorough assessment of business opportunities in new European countries
for breakfast cereals, involving market trips to 10 countries meeting the Nestle market
heads, field trips and final report preparation, leading to launches in 5 countries.
Led the marketing plan for a the whole product range in a newly acquired Eastern
European business, leading to a smooth transition from the old product range and several
new trade listings
Launched several new pan European products, working with R&D and production units,
developing packaging, promotions, advertising and sales strategies, helping the business
to deliver rapid growth over several years
PRIOR POSITIONS
Senior Brand Manager - Buitoni, UK, Croydon 1989 - 1991
 Integrated the Buitoni Italian Food business into Nestle
Senior Brand Manager - Confectionery, UK, Croydon 1987 - 1989
 Helped to integrate Nestle’s confectionery business into the recently acquired Rowntree
operation in York
Brand Manager - Instant Drinks 1986 – 1987
Assistant Brand Manager - Nescafe 1985 – 1986
Senior Market Research Executive - Nestle 1983 – 1985
Market Research Executive - Magpie, London 1981-1983
Market Research Executive - RSGB, Morden, Surrey 1979 - 1981
EDUCATION
University of Leicester (1976-1979)
BA (Hons) Geography (Upper Second)
Sir Roger Manwood’s Grammar School, Kent (1969-1976)
11 ‘O’ Levels, 3 ‘A’ Levels (grades A, A, B), 2 ‘S’ Levels (merits)