At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and manage a diverse fresh produce portfolio.
- Company: Major fresh produce business with a strong market presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and leadership in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role with significant commercial ownership.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in fresh produce and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
A senior commercial leadership role with a major fresh produce business, taking ownership of a sizeable portfolio across customers, growers, suppliers and source markets.
Head of Commercial - Fresh Produce
Location: London Hybrid working: typically 2-3 days per week in the office Package: 100,000-120,000 dependent on experience, plus car allowance and bonus
The Opportunity
This is a senior commercial role with a leading fresh produce business.
You’ll take ownership of a significant commercial portfolio across defined produce categories, with responsibility for sales, margin, profitability, customer relationships, supplier alignment and commercial strategy.
This is not a narrow account management role.
The business needs someone who understands fresh produce properly – not just customer conversations, but growers, source markets, seasonality, availability, quality, crop risk and the commercial realities.
The customer base is varied, covering retail, foodservice, wholesale, trading channels, and import.
That means the role needs someone commercially sharp, comfortable with pace, and able to balance what customers want with what is realistic and profitable at source.
You’ll lead a commercial team split across the UK and Spain, helping set direction, improve performance and make sure the business is making the right commercial decisions across customers, growers, suppliers and product categories.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commercial strategy across a fresh produce portfolio.
- Own sales, margin and profitability performance across a diverse customer base.
- Build strong senior relationships with customers, suppliers, growers and internal stakeholders.
- Lead commercial negotiations, pricing decisions and growth opportunities.
- Use market, crop, supply and customer insight to support better commercial decisions.
- Manage, develop and support a commercial team split across the UK and Spain.
- Work closely with procurement, operations, finance, technical and logistics to balance customer needs, supply realities and profitability.
- What We’re Looking For
You’ll need proven senior commercial experience within fresh produce, with the credibility to lead customer conversations and manage a sizeable commercial area.
Just as importantly, you’ll need a proper understanding of the grower and supply side of fresh produce.
This role needs someone who knows how product is grown, sourced, packed, shipped and supplied – and how seasonality, weather, quality, availability and crop performance affect the commercial outcome.
You’ll likely bring
- Strong fresh produce commercial experience.
- Experience managing meaningful sales, margin or P&L responsibility.
- Exposure to growers, suppliers or source markets.
- Confidence working with retail, wholesale, foodservice or trading customers.
- Strong negotiation, pricing and relationship management skills.
- Experience leading and developing a commercial team.
- Good financial awareness and the ability to make clear commercial decisions quickly.
Why Join?
This is a chance to step into a senior, high-impact commercial role with real scale, variety and influence.
You’ll be working with a recognised fresh produce business, managing an important category area, and dealing with a broad mix of customers rather than being boxed into one channel.
The role offers proper commercial ownership, senior stakeholder exposure, team leadership and the opportunity to shape performance across a sizeable area of the business.
It should suit someone who enjoys the full commercial picture in fresh produce: understanding customers, staying close to source, working with growers and suppliers, managing risk, and making decisions that protect both service and margin.
If you’re interested in learning more, we’d be happy to have a confidential conversation.
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Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial - Fresh Produce
✨Connect with Local Farmers and Co-ops
Don't underestimate the power of local connections in agriculture. Get involved in local farmers' markets or agricultural co-ops. These are great places to meet potential employers and get the inside scoop on job openings before they're even advertised.
✨Get Involved in Agricultural Events
Keep an eye out for agricultural fairs, conferences, and workshops in your area. These events are golden opportunities to network with industry professionals and showcase your passion. You might even stumble across job boards or companies actively looking to hire!
✨Volunteer for Relevant Experience
Consider volunteering with organisations focused on agriculture, sustainability, or community gardening. This not only boosts your CV but also expands your network. You never know who might be watching your hard work and dedication!
✨Keep an Eye on Job Listings at Industry-Specific Websites
Be sure to check out agriculture-focused job boards and websites regularly. Companies like Henderson Brown Recruitment often post opportunities on their own sites before anywhere else, so don’t miss out! Apply directly through us to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial - Fresh Produce
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in agriculture, it's crucial to highlight any hands-on experience you have in farming, crop management, or sustainable practices. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're after, so be specific about the responsibilities you've had and any tools or techniques you've used.
Certifications Matter:In agriculture, relevant certifications can really give your application a boost. If you have any qualifications related to agricultural practices, pest management, or environmental regulations, make sure to mention them! They're great indicators of your commitment and expertise in the field.
Tailor Your CV to the Agriculture Sector:Your CV should reflect your passion for agriculture. Structure it to emphasise your field experience and any relevant projects you've been involved in. Don't forget to highlight your soft skills, like teamwork and communication, which are essential in this sector.
Passion is Key in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time position, we want to feel your enthusiasm for agriculture in your cover letter. Share why you're drawn to this industry and mention any long-term goals you have that align with what Henderson Brown Recruitment does. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment
✨Get Familiar with Agricultural Technologies
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest agricultural technologies and tools that are commonly used in the field. Whether it’s precision farming tools or crop management software, being able to discuss these effectively during your interview with Henderson Brown Recruitment will show that you're technically savvy and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Practical Experience
Since agriculture is a hands-on industry, be prepared to share any practical experiences you've had. This could be through internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects. Discussing specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them can really impress the interviewers, especially in a full-time role at Henderson Brown Recruitment.
✨Understand the Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a hot topic in agriculture right now, so it's important to understand current practices and regulations in the industry. Familiarise yourself with concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, and environmental impact. Having informed opinions on these topics can set you apart from other candidates during your interview.
✨Practice Common Industry Scenarios
Expect to tackle a few scenario-based questions that mimic real-life challenges in agriculture. For instance, you might be asked how you would handle a pest infestation or manage resources during a drought. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview with Henderson Brown Recruitment.
