Zakir Zareen
Harlow,Essex
Summary
Results-driven FMCG sales and retail management professional with over 17 years of experience delivering commercial growth, developing high-performing customer relationships, and driving business success across competitive markets. Proven track record of growing territories, exceeding sales targets, and identifying opportunities that increase revenue and market share. An ambitious and commercially focused leader with strong relationship-building, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, I thrive in fast-paced environments where adaptability, strategic thinking, and customer focus are essential. Passionate about delivering measurable results, I am committed to continuous professional development and bringing energy, integrity, and a growth mindset to every opportunity.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Territory Sales Manager
Grace Foods UK Ltd
London, England
2022.07 - 2026.04
- Took ownership of an £800k territory and grew it to £1.7m within four years by securing new business, expanding existing accounts, and consistently exceeding commercial objectives.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies and plans that increased market penetration in the assigned area.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with key customers, resulting in increased loyalty and repeat business.
- Addressed customer concerns and resolved issues promptly to enhance customer satisfaction and retention.
- Analysing competitor activities and adjusting sales strategies accordingly.
- Ensuring sales activities comply with company policies and regulations.
- Demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the products or services offered by the company.
- Communicating product features and benefits to customers.
Category Development Manager – P&G Gillette UK
Field Sales Solutions
London, England
2018.09 - 2022.07
- Managing Accounts In top 4 supermarkets, Boots, Superdrug’s and Wilko
- Streamlined in-store processes by correcting product placement inefficiencies, enhancing availability of key Gillette SKUs.
- Delivered tailored solutions to store issues, ensuring top availability of products.
- Managed inventory corrections to facilitate better product availability in stores.
- Building relationships with stores who are meeting expectations to gain additional floor space for incremental displays to maximise sales.
- Identified underperforming stores and educated staff on processes to achieve performance expectations.
Business Development Manager - Haribo
Powerforce Field Marketing
London, England
2018.03 - 2018.08
- Visiting cash and carry to withdraw stock on credit, then selling to retailers who have a gap in distribution.
- Cold called new convenience and independent businesses to secure distribution of key skus.
- Identified and addressed gaps in distribution of core Haribo portfolio.
- Sell-in Haribo key skus to plug gaps in distribution.
- Speak with KDM in independents to gain floor space to promote Haribo Lines.
- Provided POS materials to retailers, enhancing visibility of Haribo products in store.
- Ensured accurate weekly reconciliation of sales by balancing cash takings, securely depositing funds, and processing stock returns to the designated cash & carry in accordance with company policies.
Territory Sales Manager - Duracell Batteries UK
Tactical Solutions
London, England
2015.01 - 2018.01
- Drove incremental sales and enhanced brand presence through targeted strategies.
- Executed interventions at store level across grocery multiples, including wholesalers, to optimise product visibility.
- Maintained consistent communication and timely follow-up with store KDMs, ensuring responsiveness to clients' real-time needs.
- Effectively building and maintaining partnerships with KDMs, prospects and people at all levels across the store.
- Effectively demonstrating how personalised solutions will solve clients' problems.
Senior Team Manager Ambient - (Grocery, Home and Leisure, Health and Beauty, Warehouse, Beers Wines and Spirits)
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
London, England
2014.01 - 2015.01
- Achieving regional sales targets set by senior managers.
- Stock Management involving ordering Goods, constant stock availability on the shop floor, audits/stock takes and waste control.
- Liaising with buyers
- Managing department staff, staff coaching and development.
- Introducing New Product Lines, seasonal and non-seasonal products.
- Promotion planning, Ordering and Set-up.
- Following company set standards and being compliant.
Field Sales Representative
Zesco Foods UK Ltd
London, England
2013.01 - 2015.01
- Liaising with International and local suppliers, buyers and traders.
- Attending local and international exhibitions.
- Marketing the products into hyper markets and grey markets and taking customer orders.
- Managing the timely delivery of goods to clients.
- Sales forecasting for the week.
- Reviewing budgets, labour costs & overheads.
- Presented products effectively to engage potential customers.
- Building relationships with customers, keeping products compliant, Gaining discretional space to increase product sales and visibility.
Department Manager – Grocery
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
London, England
2012.01 - 2014.01
Department Supervisor – Frozen Food
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
London, England
2011.01 - 2013.01
Sales Assistant
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
London, England
2009.01 - 2010.01
Education
B-Tec National Diploma - Business And IT
Newvic 6th Form Collage
London 2006.01 - 2009.01
GCSEs - Secondary School
Langdon secondary school
London 2001.09 - 2006.07
Skills
- B2B sales expertise
- Territory management
- New account prospecting
- Business development strategies
- Competitor analysis
- Product knowledge
- Customer demonstrations
- Trade show participation
- Merchandising skills
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Time management skills
- Decision-making ability
- Team leadership
- Active listening
- Problem-solving
- Root cause identification
Certification
- Health and Safety Level 1 & 2
- Electronic Operating System (iPad/Android) Training
- Merchandising/Stock Control Training In all retailers.
- Promotional Planning Training
- Top 4 Supermarkets HOW TO Guides Training
- Retail Communication Training
- Sales Manager Competence Training
- Buying And Selling Training
- Selling, Merchandising and reporting Training
PERSONAL DETAILS
English
Advanced
Tamil
Advanced
Punjabi
Beginner
Hindi
Beginner
Affiliations
- Football
- Family Vacation's
- Family Time
- Reading
- Politics
Personal Time
I like to spend all my time with my family, my sons who are 7 years old and 3 years old. I enjoy playing and following cricket, football and tennis. My hobbies are reading newspapers and following the news. I also enjoy being physically active, and spend a lot of time playing sports and team games.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakir-zareen-16654b102
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Territory Sales Manager
Grace Foods UK Ltd
2022.07 - 2026.04
Category Development Manager – P&G Gillette UK
Field Sales Solutions
2018.09 - 2022.07
Business Development Manager - Haribo
Powerforce Field Marketing
2018.03 - 2018.08
Territory Sales Manager - Duracell Batteries UK
Tactical Solutions
2015.01 - 2018.01
Senior Team Manager Ambient - (Grocery, Home and Leisure, Health and Beauty, Warehouse, Beers Wines and Spirits)
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
2014.01 - 2015.01
Field Sales Representative
Zesco Foods UK Ltd
2013.01 - 2015.01
Department Manager – Grocery
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
2012.01 - 2014.01
Department Supervisor – Frozen Food
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
2011.01 - 2013.01
Sales Assistant
WM Morrison Supermarket PLC
2009.01 - 2010.01
B-Tec National Diploma - Business And IT
Newvic 6th Form Collage
2006.01 - 2009.01
GCSEs - Secondary School
Langdon secondary school
2001.09 - 2006.07