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- Tasks: Lead commercial strategies and build relationships with major grocery customers.
- Company: Established soft drinks supplier with a strong track record and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, annual bonus, private health cover, and pension scheme.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and drive growth in a fast-paced drinks market.
- Qualifications: Proven experience with top grocery customers and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
About the Company
Our client is an established soft drinks supplier with an enviable track record both UK & Internationally. Promoting taste, authenticity and natural ingredients to its consumers, our client has developed their brands organically into all major channels including On Trade, Off Trade, Online & International. They pride themselves on having an inclusive culture, where Senior Directors and Colleagues work side by side to achieve their goals. Employees benefit from a friendly and professional environment that remains true to its founding values despite years of success.
About the Role
We are looking to hire a Senior Commercial Manager to guide this innovation led drinks supplier through its next period of retail expansion. Reporting to the Head of Retail UK&I you will play a pivotal role in delivering the commercial offering, liaising with supermarket customers and internal stakeholders to meet growing consumer demand.
Key Responsibilities
- Relationship Management: Build, nurture, and extend high-value relationships within a major grocery customer (likely Tesco or Sainsburys), acting as a trusted partner to drive mutual growth and deliver outstanding commercial results. P&L 40m NSV.
- Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: Manage and influence a broad team of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and collaboration to achieve shared objectives.
- Joint Business Planning: Develop and execute robust Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align the company-wide strategic goals with customer objectives, leveraging data-driven insights and market trends.
- Commercial Negotiation: Lead negotiations on commercial terms, promotional plans, and pricing to achieve sales, volume, and profit targets while ensuring effective investment decisions and account profitability.
- Account Performance & P&L Management: Oversee account P&L, analyse financial metrics, and make informed decisions to maximise profitability and sustainable growth.
Qualifications
It is essential that you have a successful track record of building profitable and lasting relationships within top grocery customers. Tesco or Sainsburys exposure would be preferable but working knowledge of wider retail customers on behalf of a recognised food or drinks manufacturer will be considered.
Required Skills
- Confident Communicator: Demonstrates strong communication skills, able to address conflict constructively and engage in challenging conversations with professionalism and empathy.
- Leadership by Example: Sets high standards for self and others, consistently modelling integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
- Relationship & Rapport Building: Excels at building trust and rapport with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders, fostering collaborative and productive working relationships.
- Organisational & Time Management: Highly organised, with exceptional time management skills; able to prioritise effectively and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Analytical & Numerate: Applies analytical thinking and numerical skills to solve problems, make data-driven decisions, and drive commercial success. Candidates with existing supermarket buying or purchasing contacts would also be beneficial.
Preferred Skills
Experience of selling branded food or drink products into major supermarket customers (Ideally JS or Tesco) is essential in this high profile role. Branded Soft Drinks is a dynamic and pacy category, a previous track record in these markets would be favourable and help you get up to speed quickly! The successful candidate must have the ambition and ability to develop into a Head of Retail UK&I in a well resourced but agile drinks supplier within the next career step.
Pay Range and Compensation Package
- Basic Salary: Circa £65,000 - £80,000
- Company Car
- Annual Bonus: 20% OTE
- Private Health Cover
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Softer Benefits
Location
The successful candidate will be based from a head office and manufacturing facilities near Bristol an average of 2-3 days per week. The role will offer the flexibility for home working. You will be expected to attend national customer visits and trade events when required.
Interview Process
Screening Calls and Interviews taking place throughout February 2026. Please reach out to info@bluerice.co.uk to register an interest.
Senior Commercial Manager - Grocery in Bristol employer: BLUE RICE - FMCG Talent Selection
Contact Detail:
BLUE RICE - FMCG Talent Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager - Grocery in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry, especially those who work at Tesco or Sainsbury's. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for a chat. You never know who might help you land that Senior Commercial Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by knowing your stuff! Research the company’s products, their market position, and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around P&L management and relationship building. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves leading negotiations on commercial terms, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to drive profitable outcomes. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you ace your application and get noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Let’s make your dream job a reality together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager - Grocery in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience with major grocery customers like Tesco or Sainsbury's, and showcase your achievements in building profitable relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to demonstrate your understanding of the soft drinks market and how your skills align with our client's goals.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role involves P&L management and data-driven decision-making, be sure to include examples of how you've used analytical thinking to drive commercial success in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at BLUE RICE - FMCG Talent Selection
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Commercial Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with P&L management. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've maximised profitability in previous roles. Bring specific examples of how your analytical skills have driven commercial success.
✨Build Rapport with Key Stakeholders
Relationship management is crucial for this role. Before the interview, research the company’s key grocery customers, like Tesco or Sainsbury's. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build trust and rapport with these stakeholders during your conversation.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Expect to discuss commercial negotiations in detail. Prepare by thinking through past negotiation experiences where you achieved significant results. Be ready to articulate your approach to joint business planning and how you align customer objectives with company goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills. Reflect on your leadership experiences and be prepared to share how you set high standards for yourself and your team. Discuss how you foster collaboration and drive results in a fast-paced environment, as this will resonate well with the company's culture.
