At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major retail relationships and drive commercial growth in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join ESG Drysdale, the UK's only brassica-focused Producer Organisation.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, car allowance, and 30 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a sustainable, future-focused business.
- Qualifications: Strong background in fresh produce and exceptional customer leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement in a supportive, collaborative culture.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Hybrid Role (1 day per week in office minimum) Scotland or Northern England based. Highly competitive salary + Car Allowance + 30 Days Annual Leave.
About our Client
Alexander Steele are working exclusively with ESG Drysdale, the UK's only brassica-focused Producer Organisation and one of just three recognised vegetable POs nationwide. Formed through the successful merger of Drysdale and East of Scotland Growers, the business has built a commercially robust, future-focused operation supplying fresh produce at scale. With 18 dedicated farmers operating across 200 miles of fertile Scottish coastline, ESG Drysdale has created an integrated grower network that delivers resilience, regional diversity, and year-round supply. The group supplies major UK supermarkets, B2B partners, and foodservice customers, supported by the wider ESG brand family including ESG Co‐Operative, a not-for-profit specialising in crop planning, agronomy, harvest coordination, and marketing. Driven by sustainability, collaboration, and operational excellence, ESG Drysdale plays a vital role in delivering high-quality vegetables from seed to shelf helping nourish communities across the UK, every day of the year.
The Role
As Senior Commercial Manager and second-in-command to the Commercial Director, you will play a key role in driving the next phase of commercial growth. You will lead major retail relationships while delivering strong commercial performance and contributing significantly to annual revenue. Working across the full supply chain, you will collaborate closely with operations, supply chain, technical, and finance teams to optimise performance, enhance forecasting and pricing accuracy, and support category expansion into other emerging areas. This is a high-visibility commercial leadership position requiring strong relationship-building skills, sharp commercial judgement, and a confident, challenger mindset to influence direction and elevate commercial standards across the business.
Key responsibilities
- Take full commercial ownership of major retail customers, ensuring best-in-class service and long-term growth.
- Drive profitable growth and contribute to the development and execution of the company's commercial strategy.
- Lead pricing, forecasting, and range planning, ensuring robust commercial decisions that reflect availability, customer needs, and category dynamics.
- Collaborate closely with supply chain, operations, and technical teams to safeguard service levels, proactively manage risk, and resolve issues with both speed and authority.
- Develop strong, trusted relationships with internal teams, maintaining a deep understanding of the supply chain.
- Support diversification into new categories - by identifying opportunities, shaping propositions, and supporting launch execution.
- Enhance commercial processes, systems, and reporting, driving greater accuracy, transparency, and operational discipline across the team.
- Act as the Commercial Director's deputy, providing leadership, setting standards for the commercial function, and supporting team capability and development.
Candidate Profile
- Strong background in fresh produce, chilled or frozen within UK retail supply.
- Exceptional customer leadership, with experience influencing senior retail stakeholders and delivering joint business plans that drive both volume and value.
- Credible and trusted relationship builder, able to quickly earn the confidence of internal teams and retail partners.
- Challenger mindset - not afraid to bring new thinking, question assumptions, and push for better ways of working.
- Strong commercial skills: pricing, forecasting, promotional planning, and P&L understanding.
- Self-driven and accountable, proactive in identifying opportunities, solving problems, and pushing initiatives forward.
- Tech-savvy, comfortable working with data and forecasting tools.
This is a great opportunity for a SNAM/Business Manager/Commercial Manager to take that next step up in responsibility and make a meaningful impact within a growing business.
Senior Commercial Manager in Hull employer: ESG Drysdale
Contact Detail:
ESG Drysdale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in Hull
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Ace the Informal Chat
Before any formal interview, try to have an informal chat with someone from the company. This could be a current employee or even a recruiter. It’s a great way to get insider info and show your genuine interest in the role. Plus, it helps us understand the company culture better!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet with hiring managers, make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate how you can add value to their team. We want to see how you can drive growth and enhance performance!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in Hull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Commercial Manager. Highlight your experience in fresh produce and any relevant achievements that showcase your commercial skills. We want to see how you can drive growth and build relationships!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for ESG Drysdale. Share specific examples of how you've influenced senior retail stakeholders and contributed to commercial strategies in the past.
Showcase Your Challenger Mindset: We love candidates who think outside the box! In your application, mention instances where you've questioned the status quo or introduced innovative ideas that led to better outcomes. This will show us you're not afraid to push for improvement.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESG Drysdale
✨Know Your Produce
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fresh produce, especially brassicas. Understanding the supply chain and how ESG Drysdale operates will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves a lot of relationship management, think about examples from your past where you've successfully built strong relationships with retail stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you can apply those skills at ESG Drysdale.
✨Show Your Challenger Mindset
Prepare to discuss times when you've questioned the status quo or brought new ideas to the table. This role requires a challenger mindset, so be ready to demonstrate how you can push for better ways of working.
✨Be Data-Savvy
Familiarise yourself with data and forecasting tools relevant to the role. Being tech-savvy is crucial, so be prepared to talk about how you've used data to drive commercial decisions in the past.