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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 (London) employer: COREcruitment
Contact Detail:
COREcruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director - Food Retail (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network strategically within the food retail industry. Attend trade events and conferences where you can meet key players in the FMCG sector, especially those from major retailers like Tesco and Carrefour. Building these connections can give you insights into the market and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership experience by sharing specific examples of how you've successfully managed international teams. Highlight any cross-border projects you've led, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the role's requirements effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the food retail sector, particularly in the UK and Europe. Being knowledgeable about current market dynamics and consumer preferences will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and show that you're proactive.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your analytical skills in detail. Be ready to explain how you've used data to drive commercial decisions in previous roles, as this is crucial for monitoring sales performance and defining pricing strategies in the new position.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director - Food Retail (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in FMCG and food retail. Focus on your achievements in commercial strategy, partnerships with retailers, and leadership roles. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the food industry and your strategic vision for retail growth. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed partnerships and led teams in previous roles.
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, emphasise your analytical abilities by discussing how you've monitored sales performance and taken corrective actions in past roles. This will demonstrate your capability to balance strategy with execution.
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 fast-paced FMCG environments.
✨Highlight Your Retail Partnerships
Discuss your experience managing relationships with major retailers like Tesco or Carrefour. Be ready to share specific instances where you expanded partnerships or improved sales performance through collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership across international teams. Prepare to talk about your experience in leading diverse teams, including any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them to achieve results.
✨Prepare for Analytical Questions
Expect questions that assess your commercial and analytical skills. Be ready to discuss how you've monitored sales performance, analysed key metrics, and taken corrective actions in past roles to drive growth.
