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 work model, and high ownership from day one.
- Other info: Join a small team with great career growth opportunities and influence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of challenger brands in retail.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial experience in UK grocery and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € 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 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 take ownership of your projects while working closely with senior leadership. With a hybrid working model based in London, we offer competitive packages and unique opportunities for professional development, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about challenger brands and retail success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in 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 buyer behaviour. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decisions and managed accounts successfully.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into YF’s work. Understand their approach to challenger brands and retail relationships. Bring insights and ideas to the table during your interview – it’ll show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute from day one!
✨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 serious about joining the team and ready to take on the challenge of helping brands grow in retail.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in 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! Craft your application with clear, concise language that reflects your ability to create compelling decks and proposals. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can manage multiple clients, so demonstrate your organisational skills through your writing.
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. Show us that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re passionate about making an impact!
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 at YF.
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 Retail Landscape
Brush up on your knowledge of UK grocery retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose. Be prepared to discuss recent trends, challenges, and opportunities in the market. This will demonstrate your understanding of the buyer mindset and how to influence them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be ready to share specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed accounts or built Joint Business Plans (JBPs). Highlight your ability to track performance and adapt strategies based on data—this is crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since excellent written communication is a must, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Whether it's discussing a pitch or explaining a pricing model, ensure you can convey your ideas succinctly and persuasively. Consider preparing a mini-presentation to showcase your skills.
