At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth and shape commercial strategy in the food manufacturing sector.
- Company: Join a reputable food manufacturer with ambitious expansion plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy and influence while working closely with senior leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building customer relationships and driving growth.
- Qualifications: Proven B2B experience in food manufacturing and strong negotiation skills.
Drive growth, win new business, and shape the commercial strategy of a food manufacturer supplying leading brands across the food and beverage sector.
Location: Northamptonshire
Working Pattern: Onsite, Monday to Friday (with customer travel)
Salary: Up to £55,000 (DOE) + 10% Bonus + £5,000 Car Allowance
The Opportunity
We're supporting a food manufacturing business to recruit a Commercial Manager to lead customer growth and drive the commercial agenda across both existing and new accounts. This is a true hunter and farmer role, with approximately 50% of your focus on developing new business opportunities and 50% on growing and strengthening existing customer relationships. Supplying ingredients into a range of food and beverage applications, the business has ambitious growth plans and is looking to expand its customer base further. Reporting to the Head of Sales & Marketing, you'll play a key role in delivering volume, value, and margin growth while helping shape the company's long-term commercial strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute commercial plans to achieve sales, volume, and margin targets
- Generate new business opportunities and win new B2B customers across the food manufacturing sector
- Manage, retain, and grow a portfolio of existing accounts
- Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders at all levels
- Develop negotiation strategies and lead commercial discussions
- Identify market trends, competitor activity, and new opportunities for growth
- Lead customer projects that improve profitability and support long-term partnerships
- Produce sales forecasts, account plans, and performance reporting
- Work closely with operations, technical, finance, and supply chain teams to deliver excellent customer service and business objectives
- Contribute to the wider commercial strategy and entry into new markets
What We're Looking For
- Proven B2B commercial experience within food manufacturing
- Track record of winning new business and growing existing customer relationships
- Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
- Commercially astute with strong analytical and forecasting capability
- Self-starter with a proactive, results-driven approach
- Ability to identify opportunities and convert them into long-term commercial relationships
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Experience working collaboratively across multiple business functions
Additional Information
- Site-based role, Monday to Friday, when not visiting customers
- 37.5-hour working week
- Customer-facing role with regular travel across the UK
- Growing business with ambitious expansion plans
- High level of autonomy and influence within the commercial function
Benefits
- Up to £55,000 basic salary depending on experience
- 10% bonus linked to business targets and KPIs
- £5,000 car allowance
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Private medical insurance (BUPA - self-cover)
- Death in Service (3x salary)
- Pension scheme (5% or 7% matched through salary sacrifice)
- EV Car Scheme (following successful probation)
Why Join?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a food manufacturing business with ambitious plans and a strong reputation for quality and service. You'll have the chance to shape commercial strategy, build new customer relationships, and play a key role in driving the next phase of growth, all while working closely with senior leadership and making a visible impact on the business.
Commercial Manager employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment
Join a dynamic food manufacturing business in Northamptonshire that values innovation and growth, offering a supportive work culture where your contributions directly influence the commercial strategy. With competitive benefits including a generous salary, bonus structure, and opportunities for professional development, this role as a Commercial Manager allows you to thrive in a collaborative environment while driving meaningful change in the food and beverage sector.
Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Henderson Brown Recruitment.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Henderson Brown Recruitment!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Henderson Brown Recruitment, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Henderson Brown Recruitment, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Henderson Brown Recruitment, 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!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Henderson Brown Recruitment.
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. 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. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment
✨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’s mission.
