At a Glance
- Tasks: Own major grocery accounts, managing P&L and driving sales performance.
- Company: Established produce business with strong retail relationships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant career growth potential and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Take real ownership of accounts and make impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management with P&L responsibility, preferably in fresh produce.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
A commercial role where you own three major grocery accounts outright - full P&L, not a slice of someone else's.
Cambridgeshire Hybrid: 3 days on site / 2 days working from home £65,000 - £75,000 + benefits, bonus Permanent
The Opportunity
We're supporting a well-established produce business with the appointment of a Commercial Manager. This is one of the larger commercial seats in the business. You'd take on multiple major UK grocery accounts, with full profit and loss responsibility across all three - the customer relationship, the account plan, the trade plan and the numbers behind them. It isn't a support role underneath a senior account lead. You are the customer's point of contact and the person who owns the performance. Two things worth knowing early: customer visits average around once a fortnight, and there's a one-in-five weekend cover rota shared across the commercial team. That rota is phone-based - being reachable if something breaks down, not working the weekend.
Key Responsibilities
- You'll own the commercial performance of your accounts end to end, working closely with NPD, technical, planning and operations to deliver it.
- Build and develop the customer relationships that sit behind sales and profit delivery.
- Own the P&L for your accounts, including margin, forecasting and trade plan investment.
- Build account plans capturing NPD, range and end-to-end initiatives, and grow sales and profit within them.
- Manage range and NPD/EPD changes through to successful launch.
- Use sales, stock, availability and waste data to drive decisions that benefit both sides.
- Stay close to category and market performance - market share, sales drivers, waste issues and underperforming lines.
What We're Looking For
You'll be an established Commercial Manager, Senior National Account Manager or National Account Manager from food manufacturing, with genuine P&L ownership rather than sales responsibility alone. Fresh produce experience is the strong preference here. Broader chilled FMCG on its own is less likely to land, simply because the pace, seasonality and waste dynamics of produce are the hardest part of the job to learn on the move. Beyond that, it's commercial judgement, comfort with detail and the confidence to hold your own across an internal business. Strong Excel and analysis genuinely matter - forecasting, availability, stock and waste are the substance of the role, not reporting after the fact.
Why Join?
This is real ownership. Three significant grocery accounts, a meaningful share of the business's turnover, and a direct line between your decisions and the commercial result. You'd be joining a long-established produce supplier - a business with serious manufacturing capability behind it and long-standing retail relationships in front of it. The package is £65,000 - 75,000 with benefits, including bonus, matched pension, life assurance, private medical cover and a health cash plan, with hybrid working of 3 days on site and 2 from home and no fixed office days. If you're interested in learning more, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation.
Commercial Manager - Fresh Produce in London employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic food manufacturing business that prioritises employee growth and development in the Supply Chain sector. With a supportive work culture that encourages learning and collaboration, you'll have the chance to build a rewarding career while working alongside experienced professionals. Enjoy the benefits of a fast-paced environment where your contributions are valued, and you can make a real impact on production efficiency.
Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager - Fresh Produce in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager - Fresh Produce in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Henderson Brown Recruitment Limited’s mission.