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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and partnerships for a fast-growing food brand across Europe.
- Company: Join an ambitious food business expanding into major UK and European markets.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a dynamic brand while leading a high-performing team in a vibrant industry.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in FMCG, strong retail experience, fluent in English and French.
- Other info: Ideal for strategic thinkers ready to make an impact in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 78000 - 130000 £ per year.
Up to £130,000 | London or Home Counties | Hybrid
About the Role
An ambitious, fast-growing food business is looking for an experienced commercial leader to spearhead its next phase of international retail expansion.With products already stocked by major supermarkets, the brand is entering a pivotal stage of growth across the UK and continental Europe.
This is a high-impact, senior position offering the chance to shape commercial strategy, build strong partnerships with leading retailers, and lead a growing international sales team.The ideal candidate will bring a mix of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a proven track record of delivering results in fast-paced FMCG environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and lead the commercial strategy for retail growth across the UK, France, Spain, and wider European markets.
- Manage and expand partnerships with major retailers (e.g.Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Carrefour, Monoprix).
- Oversee sell-in and sell-out activities, including promotions, product launches, and in-store execution.
- Define pricing and margin strategies aligned with company objectives.
- Build and lead a high-performing commercial team across multiple geographies.
- Manage distributor and wholesale relationships to extend market reach.
- Collaborate closely with internal teams including Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Quality.
- Monitor sales performance, analyse key metrics, and take corrective action where needed.
- Represent the business externally at trade events and buyer meetings, strengthening market presence.
The right person
- A senior commercial professional with 15+ years of FMCG experience, ideally in food or world food categories.
- Strong UK and European retail exposure, with a successful track record of delivering profitable growth.
- Experience managing both direct retail accounts and indirect distributor channels.
- Demonstrated leadership experience across international teams.
- Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
- Highly credible and influential at retail buyer level.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Fluent in English and French (required).
- Confident, collaborative communicator with a hands-on approach and clear sense of ownership.
Location: London or nearby (Home Counties), with flexibility for European travel.
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Commercial Director - Food Retail employer: COREcruitment
Contact Detail:
COREcruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director - Food Retail
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience in food retail. Attend industry events and trade shows where you can meet potential colleagues or partners, as personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the major retailers mentioned in the job description, such as Tesco and Carrefour. Understanding their business models and current market strategies will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading commercial strategies and managing teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven growth in fast-paced environments, as this will be crucial for showcasing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your French language skills if you're not already fluent. Since the role requires collaboration across UK and European markets, being able to communicate effectively in both English and French will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director - Food Retail
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in FMCG and food retail. Emphasise your achievements in commercial strategy, partnerships with major retailers, and leadership roles in international teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and hands-on execution skills. Mention specific examples of how you've driven growth in previous roles and your familiarity with the UK and European markets.
Highlight Language Proficiency: Since fluency in English and French is required, ensure you mention your language skills prominently in your application. If applicable, provide examples of how you've used these languages in a professional context.
Showcase Analytical Skills: In your application, demonstrate your analytical abilities by discussing how you've monitored sales performance and taken corrective actions in past roles. Use metrics and results to back up your claims.
How to prepare for a job interview at COREcruitment
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Commercial Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to develop and lead commercial strategies. Prepare examples of how you've successfully shaped strategies in previous roles, particularly in FMCG environments, and be ready to discuss how you would approach the international retail expansion for this food business.
✨Highlight Your Retail Partnerships
Given the importance of managing partnerships with major retailers, come prepared with specific examples of successful collaborations you've led. Discuss how you navigated challenges and built strong relationships with key accounts like Tesco or Carrefour, as this will show your credibility at the retail buyer level.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
This role requires leading a high-performing commercial team across multiple geographies. Be ready to share your leadership style and experiences managing diverse teams. Highlight any instances where you’ve driven performance and fostered collaboration among team members in a fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare for Analytical Discussions
Strong commercial and analytical skills are crucial for this position. Brush up on key metrics relevant to sales performance and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in past roles. This will showcase your ability to balance strategy with execution effectively.
