At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for challenger food and drink brands and manage retailer relationships.
- Company: YF, a dynamic company helping innovative brands thrive in retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to influence from day one.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a small team and make a real impact on exciting brands.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial experience in UK grocery and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
About YF
YF helps challenger food and drink brands land and grow in retail. We sit between founders with ambition and retailers with shelves - and we make the commercial side of that relationship actually work. That means getting brands listed, keeping them there, and helping them scale profitably. We do this through retained account management, commercial projects, and outsourced buying support for retailers.
The Role
This is not a typical Account Manager role. You'll sit across both sides of the table:
- Acting as a commercial lead for challenger brands
- Managing retailer relationships and accounts
- Supporting retailers with sourcing and onboarding new brands
Some weeks you'll be rebuilding a pitch for a brand targeting Waitrose. Others you'll be deep in a range review with a buyer, or sourcing brands for a retail partner. If you're used to owning accounts but want broader exposure, more variety, and real influence - this is that role.
What You’ll Do
- Lead commercial strategy for challenger brands
- Turn 'we think we're ready' into a clear route to listing
- Build sell-in decks, pricing, and proposition that buyers actually respond to
- Shape retail strategy across channels and categories
- Run accounts
- Manage day-to-day relationships across retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado, and others)
- Own JBPs, promotions, range reviews, and performance tracking
- Act as an extension of the brand's commercial team
- Work on the retailer side
- Source and assess challenger brands for retail clients
- Support buying decisions, negotiations, and onboarding
- Bring a buyer mindset into everything you do
- Deliver high-impact commercial projects
- Pitch rebuilds, category reviews, pricing models, forecasting
- Work closely with the wider YF team to deliver outcomes, not just outputs
- Help shape what we sell
- Feed into how we package, price, and evolve our commercial services
- Bring insight from the frontline into how YF grows
What We're Looking For
Non-negotiables
- Strong commercial experience in UK grocery (brand or retailer side)
- You understand how buyers think - and how to influence them
- Confident running accounts, building JBPs, and managing commercial performance
- Excellent written communication (decks, emails, proposals)
- Able to manage multiple clients without dropping the ball
- Genuine interest in challenger brands and early-stage growth
Nice to have
- Experience on both sides of the table (brand + retailer)
- Existing buyer relationships
- Category expertise (e.g. chilled, ambient, wellness, BWS, etc.)
How We Work
Hybrid (London + flexibility). Small team, high ownership. You'll work closely with senior leadership and have real influence from day one.
Package: Competitive, dependent on experience. We'll be transparent early.
Senior Commercial Manager in City of London employer: Energy Jobline ZR
At YF, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and growth in the food and drink sector. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, allowing you to make a tangible impact from day one while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in the vibrant City of London. With ample opportunities for professional development and a focus on challenger brands, you'll find a rewarding environment that values your contributions and supports your career aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the food and drink industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that Senior Commercial Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with someone from YF or a similar company, make sure to highlight your commercial experience and understanding of the grocery sector. Share specific examples of how you've influenced buyers and managed accounts successfully.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into YF’s mission and values. Understand their approach to challenger brands and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at YF and making an impact in the retail space.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Commercial Savvy:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your strong commercial experience in the UK grocery sector. We want to see how you understand buyer behaviour and can influence decisions, so share specific examples that showcase your skills.
Tailor Your Communication:Your written communication needs to shine! Whether it's a deck, email, or proposal, we’re looking for clarity and impact. Use concise language and structure your thoughts well to demonstrate your ability to manage multiple clients effectively.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Challenger Brands:We love candidates who are genuinely interested in challenger brands and early-stage growth. In your application, let us know why this excites you and how your background aligns with our mission at YF. Show us your enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do and how we work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Energy Jobline ZR
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, dive deep into the challenger brands that YF works with. Understand their unique selling points and how they fit into the retail landscape. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Master the Retailer Mindset
Since you'll be managing relationships with major retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury's, it's crucial to understand their buying processes. Research what these retailers look for in a brand and prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated similar situations in the past.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with Joint Business Plans (JBPs) and how you've driven commercial performance. Prepare specific examples where you've influenced buyer decisions or managed accounts effectively, as this will demonstrate your capability in leading commercial strategies.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent written communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, whether it’s in your responses or through any materials you might present. Consider preparing a mini pitch or a sell-in deck to showcase your skills during the interview.
