At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and drive new business growth in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Established manufacturing business in Manchester with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Influential role with clear progression to Managing Director and partnership with the CEO.
- Why this job: Shape the future of the business and make a meaningful impact on its success.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in revenue growth and experience in manufacturing or packaging sectors.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement and to lead a high-performing commercial team.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Commercial Director to join a well‑established, growth‑focused manufacturing business based in Manchester. This is a pivotal senior leadership role with a clear mandate: restore momentum, unlock new growth, and help shape the future direction of the business.
This is not simply a sales leadership role. It is a broad commercial leadership position with real influence across the organisation, spanning strategy, culture, and long‑term value creation.
The Opportunity
The Commercial Director will work closely with the CEO as a genuine partner, helping to shape commercial strategy while driving hands‑on delivery. The role has been created with clarity around why it exists, what needs fixing, and what success looks like.
- Owning and delivering the end‑to‑end commercial strategy
- Driving new business growth across existing and emerging markets
- Developing and executing the business development and marketing approach
- Leading pricing strategy, margin optimisation, and customer profitability
- Identifying adjacent and new market opportunities (including food and food packaging)
- Building, leading, and developing a high‑performing commercial team
The commercial model is predominantly transactional, with relatively short sales cycles across many product categories. There will also be opportunities to lead longer sales cycles when introducing new products or entering new markets. A consistent theme across the role is a strong focus on new business acquisition.
What Success Looks Like
In the short to medium term, success will be defined by:
- Returning the business to previous revenue levels
- Delivering an improved and sustainable EBIT position
- Embedding pricing discipline and commercial rigour
- Strengthening customer and product strategy
Beyond this, the role offers a clear progression pathway. Over the next three to five years, there is a genuine opportunity for the Commercial Director to step into a Managing Director position, either through a future exit or as the current MD transitions toward a more Chairman‑style role.
About You
You will be a senior commercial leader with:
- A strong track record of driving revenue growth and winning new business
- Experience operating in manufacturing, packaging, or a related sector
- Credibility to operate at board and SLT level
- A forward‑thinking, outward‑looking mindset, with a natural curiosity for new markets
- Strong commercial acumen across pricing, margin, and profitability
- The ambition to progress into a broader business leadership role in the medium term
You will be commercially sharp, people‑focused, and comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
Why Join?
A clearly defined leadership role with real influence
- Direct partnership with the CEO
- The chance to shape the commercial future of the business
- A transparent and realistic route to Managing Director
If you’re looking for a role where you can make a meaningful commercial impact and build toward a broader leadership position, this could be a compelling next step.
Commercial Director in Stoke-on-Trent employer: GT Consulting
Contact Detail:
GT Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Commercial Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company thoroughly. Understand their commercial strategy, recent developments, and market position. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in shaping their future.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around driving revenue growth and new business acquisition. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Director. Highlight your experience in driving revenue growth and any relevant achievements in manufacturing or packaging. 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 your vision for the commercial strategy and how you plan to drive new business growth. Let us see your passion!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior leader, we need to know about your experience in building and leading high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've developed talent and fostered a strong commercial culture in your previous roles.
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. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at GT Consulting
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of revenue growth and profitability. Brush up on key metrics related to sales cycles, pricing strategies, and market trends in the manufacturing sector. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully driven growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Strategic Thinking
This role is all about shaping commercial strategy, so come prepared with examples of how you've developed and executed successful strategies in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you approached them strategically, especially in terms of new business acquisition.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a high-performing team, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership style. Share stories that showcase your ability to build and develop teams, as well as how you've fostered a positive culture within your organisation. Be ready to discuss how you balance hands-on execution with strategic oversight.
✨Align with Company Vision
Research the company’s current position and future goals. Be prepared to articulate how your vision aligns with theirs, particularly in terms of restoring momentum and unlocking new growth. Showing that you understand their challenges and have a clear plan for addressing them will set you apart.