At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop teams to drive operational performance and sales growth in FMCG.
- Company: Established FMCG business, a leader in importing and distributing international food brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, autonomy, and influence on strategy.
- Other info: Join a dynamic senior leadership team with significant career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing FMCG business and make a lasting impact.
- Qualifications: Proven FMCG sales experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Are you an experienced operational leader with a strong FMCG sales background, who knows how to develop people, improve performance and drive profitable growth? This established FMCG business is one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of international food brands, supplying retailers, wholesalers and foodservice customers across the UK.
As the business continues to grow, we’re investing in our people, systems and processes and are looking for an exceptional Head of Commercial to join the senior leadership team. We’re particularly interested in candidates who combine strong operational leadership with proven FMCG sales experience. You’ll understand not only how to build an efficient operation, but also what customers need, how commercial teams operate and how the wider business needs to perform to deliver sustainable sales growth.
About the Role
This is a hands-on senior leadership position with responsibility for improving operational performance while maintaining a strong commercial and customer focus. You’ll oversee multiple functions, develop managers, establish greater accountability and implement the systems, processes and reporting required to support the company’s next phase of growth. Working closely with the Director and senior leadership team, you’ll help shape company strategy and ensure that operations, sales and commercial priorities work together effectively.
Your FMCG sales experience will be particularly valuable in helping the business understand customer requirements, identify commercial opportunities and ensure operational decisions support revenue, margin and customer service.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading, coaching and developing managers and teams across the business
- Creating a high-performance culture built around accountability, ownership and measurable results
- Working closely with the sales function to support revenue growth, customer retention and new business opportunities
- Using your FMCG sales experience to bring a strong customer and commercial perspective to operational decision-making
- Improving collaboration between sales, operations, supply chain, finance and other functions
- Improving operational efficiency, service levels and business performance
- Strengthening financial controls, including cash flow, credit management, margins and operational costs
- Developing and implementing SOPs, training programmes and operational documentation
- Building KPI dashboards and meaningful management reporting across both operational and commercial performance
- Leading operational improvement projects and business change initiatives
- Supporting the senior leadership team in developing and delivering the company’s long-term growth strategy
About You
We’re looking for a commercially minded operational leader who understands the fast-moving nature of the FMCG sector and can combine strong people leadership with genuine sales and customer experience. FMCG sales experience will be a key factor in our selection process.
You’ll ideally bring:
- Proven sales experience within FMCG, food, beverage or a closely related consumer-goods environment
- A strong understanding of selling to retailers, wholesalers, distributors and/or foodservice customers
- Demonstrable experience of delivering against sales, revenue, margin or commercial targets
- Proven experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams
- Experience managing multiple operational or commercial functions within a growing business
- A strong understanding of the relationship between sales, stock, supply chain, customer service, margin and cash flow
- Strong commercial awareness and financial understanding
- A track record of implementing process improvements and successfully driving change
- Experience creating SOPs, reporting frameworks, KPIs and management dashboards
- The confidence to make decisions, challenge constructively and take ownership
- A practical, hands-on leadership style and the ability to move comfortably between strategic priorities and day-to-day execution
- Experience within food distribution, importing, wholesale or branded FMCG would be particularly advantageous.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Performance-related bonus
- Significant autonomy and responsibility
- The opportunity to influence both operational and commercial strategy
- A genuine opportunity to shape how a growing FMCG business operates
- A key position within the senior leadership team with the ability to make a lasting impact
If you’re an experienced leader who combines operational excellence with a strong FMCG sales background, and you’re looking for an opportunity where you can directly influence people, performance and growth, we’d love to hear from you.
Head of Commercial in Potters Bar employer: Embed Talent
Join a leading FMCG business in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, where your operational leadership and sales expertise will be valued in a dynamic and supportive environment. We prioritise employee growth through significant autonomy, performance bonuses, and the chance to shape our commercial strategy, all while fostering a high-performance culture that encourages accountability and collaboration. With a commitment to investing in our people and processes, this is an exceptional opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the fast-paced world of food distribution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial in Potters Bar
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Commercial at Embed Talent!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Embed Talent or be willing to refer you for that Head of Commercial position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Embed Talent who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Commercial star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Commercial role at Embed Talent!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial in Potters Bar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Embed Talent. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Embed Talent
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Embed Talent. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
