At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial performance and manage key customer relationships for sustainable growth.
- Company: Join 2 Sisters, one of the UK's largest food manufacturers with a passion for quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days annual leave, health support, and a company pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your commercial skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial roles, strong analytical skills, and excellent relationship management.
The predicted salary is between 52200 - 63800 £ per year.
Location: Carlisle
Working Hours: 08:30-17:00, Monday-Friday
About us: When you join 2 Sisters, you’re joining one of the UK’s biggest food manufacturers – a £3 billion business with 13,500 colleagues who are passionate about feeding the nation. At our Cavaghan & Gray site in Carlisle, we’re proud to create delicious, high-quality M&S products enjoyed by millions of customers every week. With over 150 product lines and 115 million units produced each year, the impact of our work is felt far and wide.
About the Role: As Commercial Manager, you will play a key role in driving the commercial performance of our business, managing strategic customer relationships and delivering sustainable growth across our portfolio. Working closely with internal stakeholders across operations, finance, technical, and supply chain, you will provide commercial insight and leadership to support decision-making and maximise business opportunities. This is a high-impact role where you will take ownership of customer accounts, develop commercial strategies, and ensure we continue to deliver value for both our customers and the wider business.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the day-to-day management and strategic development of key customer accounts, building strong partnerships and identifying opportunities for growth.
- Owning commercial performance reporting, analysing sales, margin, promotional activity, and market data to provide insight and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Managing customer negotiations, including pricing discussions, cost changes, new product launches, and range reviews.
- Partnering with Finance to manage P&L performance, forecasting, budgeting, and identifying opportunities to improve profitability.
- Working closely with operational teams to understand business performance, challenge costs, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leading customer reviews and preparing commercial presentations, providing clear insights and recommendations.
- Identifying new business opportunities and supporting the development of innovative products aligned to customer requirements.
- Coaching and supporting junior members of the commercial team, helping to develop capability across the function.
About You: We are looking for an experienced commercial professional who can combine strong analytical capability with excellent relationship management skills. You will have the confidence to influence stakeholders, manage complex customer relationships, and drive commercial results within a fast-paced FMCG environment. You will ideally have:
- Previous experience in a commercial, account management, or customer-facing role within food manufacturing, FMCG, or a similar industry.
- Proven experience managing customer accounts and delivering commercial growth.
- Strong understanding of P&L management, forecasting, budgeting, and margin improvement.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and turn insights into actionable business decisions.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with customers and internal stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience working collaboratively across functions including Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Technical teams.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; SAP experience would be advantageous.
Up to 33 days Annual Leave including Bank Holidays
Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme and Grocery Aid, offering confidential support services 365 days a year
Company Pension Scheme
Commercial Manager in Carlisle employer: 2 Sisters Food Group
2 Sisters Food Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Rogerstone Park site in Wales, where flexibility and employee engagement are at the forefront of our culture. We prioritise professional growth through continuous development opportunities and foster a supportive atmosphere that values collaboration and innovation, making it a rewarding place for HR professionals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager in Carlisle
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like 2 Sisters Food Group.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from 2 Sisters Food Group!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like 2 Sisters Food Group, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at 2 Sisters Food Group, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager in Carlisle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at 2 Sisters Food Group, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at 2 Sisters Food Group.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to 2 Sisters Food Group. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at 2 Sisters Food Group. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at 2 Sisters Food Group
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to 2 Sisters Food Group’s mission.
