At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category performance in protein and chilled foods while managing key customer accounts.
- Company: Established UK organisation with a strong focus on quality and customer relationships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £85k plus performance-related incentives and a collaborative 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, with 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 Lincolnshire 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 high-volume markets while working alongside a dedicated team of professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Trader – Protein & Chilled Foods in Lincolnshire
✨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 about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or industry professionals, make sure to highlight your experience in trading and relationship management. Share specific examples of how you've driven category performance and built strong customer relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its market position. Understand their products and customers, and think about how your skills can help them achieve their commercial strategy. Tailor your responses to show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s get you that dream job in the protein and chilled foods sector!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Trader – Protein & Chilled Foods in Lincolnshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Trader. Highlight your experience in trading, especially within protein and chilled foods, and showcase how you've built strong customer relationships. 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. Share specific examples of your achievements in trading and how you've successfully managed customer accounts. Let us know what excites you about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically about category performance. Talk about how you've identified market opportunities and risks in the past. We love candidates who can blend hands-on execution with big-picture thinking!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
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.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Since this role heavily focuses on building customer relationships, prepare examples of how you've successfully developed and maintained partnerships in the past. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to create value for customers.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would approach category ownership and strategy execution. Be prepared to share your thoughts on how to optimise margins and volume while ensuring customer satisfaction. This will highlight your commercial acumen.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills in high-pressure situations. Think of scenarios where you had to balance opportunity with risk, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes. This will showcase your disciplined approach to trading.
