At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and drive sustainable growth in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Dynamic UK manufacturer transitioning into brand ownership with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, company car, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing company and make a real impact on its success.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience with strong negotiation and P&L accountability.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression to board-level with equity participation.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.
DerventioUK is recruiting on behalf of a fast-growing UK manufacturer transitioning from contract production into multi-channel brand ownership and distribution. This is a pivotal strategic hire designed to unlock the next phase of growth. This is not a maintenance role; it is a scale-up opportunity. The business is targeting revenue growth from circa £3m to £710m over the next 35 years, diversifying into wellness, personal care and contract bottling while strengthening pricing discipline, margin performance and commercial forecasting.
If you are a commercially driven leader who thrives in SME environments and enjoys building structured growth engines, this could be the opportunity to shape a company’s next chapter.
The Role
You will take full ownership of the commercial function, with P&L accountability and responsibility for driving sustainable, profitable growth.
Key Objectives (First 6–12 Months)
- Develop a credible 3-year commercial growth strategy
- Implement structured account segmentation and pricing architecture
- Deliver measurable gross margin improvement
- Strengthen UK, Ireland and selected EU pipelines
- Embed structured forecasting integrated with operations
This role is central to revenue growth and strategic scaling.
Commercial Responsibilities
- Lead all major pricing negotiations, contracts, rebates and margin structures
- Own revenue forecasting and budgeting
- Improve gross margin through structured commercial discipline
- Optimise account mix and eliminate low-contribution SKUs
- Structure volume-based rebate and pricing models
- Manage regulatory and excise cost pass-through
Core KPIs
- Revenue growth (mid double-digit in early phase)
- Gross margin uplift
- Forecast accuracy
- New account acquisition
- Account retention
- Working capital impact
Leadership & Team
You will manage a commercial team of 6, including marketing, account management, business development, procurement and systems. This is a hybrid strategic and hands-on role. You must be capable of high-level planning while personally leading key negotiations. The culture rewards ownership, data-led decision-making and accountability.
Location: Primarily remote with required presence in Belfast every few weeks.
Sales & Business Development Focus
This role requires strong commercial DNA.
You Will Accelerate Growth Across
- Own brand portfolio
- Contract manufacturing
- Retail distribution
- Export markets
- Wellness and personal care sectors
- Private label / contract bottling
Year one split is roughly 50% account growth and 50% new business development, becoming increasingly strategic over time.
Company Context
- Established manufacturer with strong technical and regulatory credibility
- Transitioning into brand ownership and expanded distribution
- Clear growth runway
- Direct board exposure
- Genuine strategic influence
- Potential long-term equity upside
This is an SME environment: agile, ambitious and execution-focused.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Senior commercial leadership background
- Full P&L accountability
- Strong negotiation and contract structuring capability
- Proven revenue scaling within SME environments
- Demonstrable margin improvement track record
Desirable
- FMCG / Consumer Goods / Manufacturing
- Regulated sectors
- Retail distribution exposure
- International markets
Skills
- CRM discipline
- ERP familiarity (Unleashed or similar advantageous)
- Advanced Excel and forecasting
- Data-driven commercial decision-making
Personal Attributes
- Confident decision-maker
- Direct communicator
- Commercially competitive
- Comfortable with ambiguity
- High ownership mentality
Package
- £70,000 basic salary
- Up to £75,000 for exceptional candidates
- Performance bonus (10–20% linked to revenue and margin)
- Potential commission overlay for significant new wins
- Company car or allowance
- Pension and standard senior benefits
- Hybrid working
Career Progression
There is potential progression to full board-level Commercial Director with equity participation for the right individual.
Interview Process
23 stage process
Not For
- Pure corporate managers lacking SME execution
- Individuals without deep negotiation experience
- Candidates unable to evidence margin improvement
Apply Now
If you are an experienced Commercial Leader ready to scale revenue, professionalise commercial processes and drive margin growth within an ambitious manufacturing business, we would welcome your application. For a confidential discussion, please contact DerventioUK and post your CV for consideration.
Commercial Director in Belfast employer: Derventio Education
Contact Detail:
Derventio Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend relevant events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Show us you understand the market landscape and can bring valuable insights to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for driving growth and improving margins. We want to hear how you plan to take the company to the next level.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Director. Highlight your P&L accountability and any experience in scaling revenue, especially in SME environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our growth ambitions!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this pivotal role. Share specific examples of your negotiation successes and how you've driven margin improvements in the past. Let us see your passion for commercial leadership!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Outline how you would approach developing a 3-year commercial growth strategy for us. We’re looking for someone who can not only plan but also execute effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Derventio Education
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L accountability. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue growth and improved margins in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
This role involves leading major pricing negotiations and contract structuring. Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led, focusing on the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the FMCG and manufacturing sectors, especially in wellness and personal care. Be prepared to discuss current trends and how they could impact the company's growth strategy.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
You'll be managing a commercial team, so highlight your leadership style and experience. Share examples of how you've built and motivated teams to achieve ambitious targets in an SME environment.