At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category performance in protein and chilled foods while managing key customer accounts.
- Company: Established UK organisation with a focus on quality and customer relationships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £85k, performance incentives, and a collaborative work culture.
- Other info: Join a values-led team focused on long-term success and high performance.
- Why this job: Take ownership of category strategy and make a real impact in a dynamic food environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in trading or buying within protein or chilled foods and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 85000 € per year.
We are partnering with a long-established UK organisation operating at scale within chilled food and protein supply chains. The business plays a central role in sourcing, managing and delivering high-quality products from origin through to major retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers. It is recognised for its disciplined, long-term commercial approach, strong governance, and unwavering focus on building trusted, customer-led relationships.
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced commercial trader to join a senior team, with responsibility for driving category performance across protein and chilled food portfolios. This role combines hands-on trading execution with strategic ownership of key customer accounts and category direction.
The Role
Reporting into senior commercial leadership, the successful candidate will take full ownership of a defined product category, leading both the commercial strategy and day-to-day execution across domestic and export markets.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning and delivering the commercial strategy for protein and chilled food categories, aligned with wider business objectives
- Building, developing and retaining strong relationships with key retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers, acting as the primary commercial lead
- Executing trading and sales strategies with a clear focus on customer value, margin delivery and volume optimisation
- Managing forward positions, supply commitments and pricing structures to ensure consistent, reliable delivery against customer needs
- Proactively identifying market opportunities, trends and risks, feeding insight into wider category and business strategy
- Working closely with cross-functional teams including procurement, technical, logistics and operations to ensure seamless delivery and high service levels
- Operating within defined commercial and risk frameworks, ensuring all trading activity is controlled, compliant and well-governed
Candidate Profile
This role will suit a commercially astute and relationship-led individual who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced food environment and takes pride in owning both customer outcomes and category performance. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Proven experience in trading, buying or selling within protein, chilled foods, or closely related FMCG categories
- A strong track record of owning and developing customer relationships, with a clear focus on long-term partnership and value creation
- The ability to take full ownership of a category or portfolio, shaping and executing strategy with accountability for performance
- Strong understanding of supply chains within perishable goods, including planning, pricing and margin management
- A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively across internal teams and contribute to a high-performing commercial culture
- A disciplined, professional approach to commercial decision-making, balancing opportunity with risk and governance
- High levels of integrity, accountability and attention to detail
What’s on Offer
- A senior commercial role with real ownership of category strategy and customer relationships
- Exposure to high-volume, fast-moving chilled food markets within a well-established business
- The opportunity to shape and influence category direction within a collaborative, team-oriented environment
- A values-led culture focused on partnership, accountability and long-term success
- Base salary up to £85k with performance-related incentives
Senior Trader – Protein & Chilled Foods in Lincoln employer: FMCG Exec
Join a well-established UK organisation that excels in the chilled food and protein supply chains, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact category performance and customer relationships. With a strong focus on collaboration, integrity, and long-term success, this company provides excellent employee growth opportunities and a values-led culture that prioritises partnership and accountability. Enjoy a competitive salary package and the chance to shape the future of the protein and chilled foods market in a fast-paced setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Trader – Protein & Chilled Foods in Lincoln
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the protein and chilled foods industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or industry peers, be ready to discuss your experience in trading and customer relationship management. Bring examples of how you've driven category performance and created value for customers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s market position and competitors. Understand their supply chain dynamics and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their commercial strategy. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in managing perishable goods.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can bring their trading expertise to our team. Make sure your application stands out by aligning your skills with the role’s requirements and demonstrating your passion for the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Trader – Protein & Chilled Foods in Lincoln
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Trader role. Highlight your experience in trading, especially within protein and chilled foods, and showcase your relationship-building skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
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 role. Talk about your commercial strategy experience and how you've successfully managed customer relationships in the past. Let us know what excites you about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; show us what you've achieved! Use specific examples of how you've driven category performance or optimised margins in previous roles. Numbers and results speak volumes, so make them count!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG Exec
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the protein and chilled foods market. Understand current trends, key players, and potential challenges. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the industry.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Since this role is all about building strong customer relationships, be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed client accounts in the past. Highlight your approach to fostering long-term partnerships and how you’ve added value to those relationships.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss how you would develop and execute a commercial strategy for a product category. Think about how you can align this strategy with broader business objectives and be ready to present your ideas clearly and confidently during the interview.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to trading and risk management. Practice articulating your thought process on how you would handle market fluctuations or supply chain issues, showcasing your analytical skills and decision-making abilities.
