Senior Commercial Manager

The Compleat Food Group are leading the way in Food Manufacturing, we are dedicated to delivering market-leading, quality innovative branded and own label products and shaping the future of UK chilled food production. We are currently recruiting for a Senior Commercial Manager, working in partnership with one of the most prestigious leading UK retailers to cover multiple buying areas and sub-categories. 

We're looking for an experienced, capable candidate with considerable commercial retailer experience who can build long term, partner-relationships at the highest levels and has the gravitas to represent our business in a professional manner in what is one of the group’s key trading relationships.

The successful candidate will work closely with our Customer Director and the cross functional business unit to deliver sales revenue and margin growth for our customer as well as for our group.

We are a multi-site business with manufacturing centres of excellence across the UK as well as working with a large network of supply partners throughout Europe.

The successful candidate will be required to travel to Customer meetings frequently (mostly London), we are flexible on base location however, the role will involve working from our offices in Redhill, Surrey with the flexibility of home working 2-3 days per week.

As Category leaders our ability to drive growth for our customers is through our focus on understanding our consumers and our relentless pursuit of innovation – we have the courage to think differently, raise the bar and challenge the status quo

Responsibilities of the role:

• Driving, delivering and implementing the business plans, ensuring all parts of the business are engaged and focused on results.
• Building strong relationships with site teams and suppliers in order to drive the customer agenda. 
• Proactively manage customer perception and drive the quality agenda with the site teams.
• Liaising with all relevant functions internally and in front of the customer as the ambassador of the company.
• A close understanding of Category Management principles and their implementation to enable TCFG to shape and direct the category. 
• Understand all areas of the business that impact upon sales and influence these to deliver forecast requirements.
• Manage communication and relationships internally and externally to ensure all relevant parties are fully informed on applicable issues.
• Driving, delivering and implementing the business plans, ensuring all parts of the business are engaged and focused on results.
• Creating and managing the annual promotional plan.

The successful candidate will have a hunger for success and an inquisitive nature enabling them to proactively identify, build and deliver opportunities.

Skills and Experiences:

• Track record of dealing with the major retailers at buyer level for at least 3-5 years (M&S, Waitrose, Sainsbury etc)
• Will have a good understanding of Own Label and Branded products and knowledge of what retailers look for in a respected supplier partner
• Will be strong numerically and be able to interpret data and utilise market information
• Must be a self-starter and will be able to see opportunities and go after them, a track record of forming strong customer relationships
• Strong analytical abilities are key for this role. The successful candidate must be confident in reviewing sales data, able to identify performance drivers and confident in proposing action plans, in response to findings.
• A passion for food, the industry and proven detailed knowledge of previous category and product ranges.
• Financially literate and possess advanced computer skills to include MS Office
• Outstanding people skills, attention to detail 

• A proven relationship builder with a strong industry network.
• Entrepreneurial drive with significant levels of energy and passion.
• Determined, resilient and comfortable working in a challenging environment at pace, whilst able to deal with ambiguity and work it to your advantage. 
• High level of integrity with ability to gain the trust of colleagues, able to get on with people at all levels and able to influence decisions.

This role would suit someone who is keen to step-up and develop their career further in Sales/Commercial Retailer Management as our business will allow you to grow to help meet your career aspirations. We would encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join us in our mission to deliver high-quality, innovative products that delight our customers. You will be part of a team that's shaping the future of food manufacturing.  

Benefits to Include:

• Car Allowance
• Company Bonus Scheme
• Pension Scheme
• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Online and High-street retailer discount scheme and well-being portal
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Informal and Formal training opportunities with online personalised LMS platform
• Charity Initiatives and Team events
• 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid

The Compleat Food Group are proud to have built an inclusive and respectful culture where our colleagues feel safe, supported and valued. A place where they can bring their whole selves to work to achieve exceptional results and thrive.

 We continue to attract diverse talent into our teams, because we know greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect in all that we do. 

Recruitment Agencies We have an active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies.