Steven Nicholls

Returning from a 12-month sabbatical I was promoted into SBPD role within Strategy.

Here I have further widened my business understanding, whilst leveraging my existing cross functional perspective to drive elevated collaboration throughout Senior & Regional Leadership Groups.

Key responsibilities/achievements include;

• Leading LRP planning, utilising an integrated Commercial Planning process positioning business months ahead of demonstrated capability.
• Leading review & refresh of IBP process including structure, strategy integration & governance which is due to launch in Oct 2026.
• Instrumental in shaping culture of collaboration and accountability within SLG, enhancing productivity aligned with Leadership Footprint
• Implemented continuous improvement methodologies, enhancing overall process efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborated cross-functionally to drive organisational objectives and achieve high performance standards.
• Optimised processes to enhance operational efficiency across cross-functional project streams.

Pursuing breadth development in-line with my PDP, I was asked to step into a role within Supply Chain – a cross functional move, which is something I have championed across the business.

Leading a team of 32 within Logistics, facilitating substantial transformation in a highly dynamic setting while effectively engaging senior stakeholders.

Key responsibilities/achievements.

• Successfully restructured the department to optimise our S&OP process and elevate our external customer connection strategy.
• Lead the DP & CC teams through the duration of a significant system change, training & implementation.
• Developed several team members through PDP, resulting in 3 promotional moves including one cross functionally.
• Delivered a green year end scorecard across all key performance metrics.
• Increased Manager Effectiveness scores YOY, and achieved the highest department score within Logistics

• Leading a team of two CBMs and one CDM through challenging and complex negotiations with largest Off Trade customer group.
• Successfully negotiated CPI ahead of plan across the group.
• Supported team to achieve ahead of budget, including +40% volume delivery in Retail.
• Directed cross-functional team to transform IBE & IBP process for Off Trade, enhancing end-to-end visibility at RLT level and increasing efficiency across channel.
• Reset customer relationship at senior level along with developing joint business plans for value creation which paved pathway for sustainable growth.
• Established effective talent pipeline ensuring seamless succession transition and minimised disruption for both business

Beginning my career with Coors within our Field Agency partner Powerforce for 18 months, I subsequently held a variety of account management roles within the Commercial Off Trade – achieving successive promotions in recognition of development, ability & drive to succeed among my peers.

• With key posts including Tesco, Morrisons & Booker, my achievements included the below;
• Successfully re-set a sub-optimal relationship with Tesco, re-establishing a level trading relationship and securing two successive trading agreement which included the first CPIs achieved within 3 years – Adding c. £5/HL to the rate of our largest customer within 2 years.
• Played a key role in navigating a significant customer merger (Tesco/Booker) through strategic modelling & senior negotiation.
• Moved our last remaining customer from the dilutive 20 pack to 18 pack Carling, through a highly emotive negotiation resulting in significant value creation for both parties.
• Multiple awards both internally and externally recognised for my commitment to deliver consistent results for all parties.

• Self employed within the Music Industry, I enjoyed 8 successful years writing & performing music internationally, along with running a successful commercial recording studio in Sheffield.
• My time showed me much about motivation, and a determined self-starter work ethic which I have carried with me through my career.