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- Tasks: Lead the grocery channel strategy and drive growth for own label ambient products.
- Company: Join a dynamic FMCG company focused on innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the grocery sector while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience with UK grocery retailers and strong commercial acumen required.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and grow your career in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Head of Commercial - Grocery will lead the strategy, growth, and profitability of the grocery channel for the company's own label ambient product portfolio. This role is accountable for strengthening existing customer partnerships, driving new business opportunities, securing new retail listings, and delivering best‑in‑class execution across the UK retail landscape. The role also leads a high‑performing account team to achieve revenue, margin, and distribution targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Strategy & Growth: Execute the commercial strategy for own label ambient products within the grocery channel. Own the annual operating plan including revenue and margin. Drive new business development, identifying and converting retailer opportunities for new own label ambient product ranges. Identify category expansion opportunities and emerging trends within ambient grocery.
- Customer Leadership: Act as senior commercial lead for major retailers. Lead the negotiation and launch of new own label briefs, renewals, and long‑term partnerships. Build influential senior relationships with buying, category, and technical teams. Drive joint business planning aligned to retailer strategies and the needs of the ambient category.
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and develop a team of Account Managers including the NPD team. Create a culture of accountability, commercial rigour, and high performance.
- Financial & Performance Management: Own the grocery P&L for ambient own label products. Manage and optimise trade investment, cost prices, and margin delivery. Work closely with Commercial Director to maintain accurate forecasts and strong service levels.
- Category, Insight & Product Development: Use category data to build compelling arguments for ambient range development and optimisation. Shape promotional plans, packaging changes, and innovation pipelines aligned to retailer expectations.
- Operational Excellence: Ensure robust account plans and accurate reporting against KPIs. Manage the critical path for own label development. Lead negotiation of annual terms, cost price discussions, and promotional frameworks.
Skills & Experience Required
- Strong experience managing UK grocery retailers within an FMCG environment.
- Proven track record working with own label products, ideally within ambient categories.
- Experience driving new business wins, securing listings, and responding to retailer briefs/Tenders/RFQs.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience owning large P&Ls.
- Excellent negotiation skills and ability to influence at senior levels.
- Strong understanding of category management and retailer data systems.
- Experience in fast-paced, growth-focused businesses.
Behaviours & Leadership Attributes
- Strategic, commercial, and analytically strong.
- Confident and credible communicator with excellent relationship‑building skills.
- Highly accountable, proactive, and results-oriented.
- Empathetic and inspiring leader who develops and supports a high-performing team.
- Collaborative and skilled at cross‑functional working.
At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.
By applying you will be registered as a candidate with Gleeson Recruitment Limited. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website and explains how we will use your data.
Head of Commercial employer: Gleeson Recruitment Group
Contact Detail:
Gleeson Recruitment Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their products, especially in the ambient grocery sector, and be ready to discuss how you can drive growth and profitability.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams to success, especially in managing P&Ls and driving new business wins. We want to see that you can inspire and develop high-performing teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with own label products and managing UK grocery retailers. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, emphasise your experience with P&L management and driving new business wins. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate strong commercial insight, so include specific examples of how you've achieved revenue and margin targets in the past.
Highlight Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a high-performing team, make sure to mention your leadership style and any coaching or mentoring experiences. We love to see how you’ve developed teams and fostered a culture of accountability and performance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our system quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gleeson Recruitment Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Commercial, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on your P&L management skills and be ready to discuss how you've optimised trade investments and margins in previous roles. Bring specific examples that showcase your ability to drive profitability.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to talk about your experience in executing commercial strategies for own label products. Think about how you've identified new business opportunities and category expansion in the past. Be ready to share insights on emerging trends within the ambient grocery sector.
✨Build Relationships
This role requires strong relationship-building skills, especially with senior stakeholders. Have examples ready of how you've successfully negotiated with major retailers or built influential partnerships. Highlight your approach to joint business planning and aligning with retailer strategies.
✨Lead with Confidence
As a leader, you’ll need to inspire and develop your team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've created a culture of accountability and high performance. Share specific instances where you've coached team members to achieve their targets and fostered collaboration across functions.