At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key customer accounts and drive profitable growth in fresh produce.
- Company: Leading fresh produce business with a strong brand reputation.
- Benefits: Up to £80,000 salary, car allowance, bonus, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Opportunity for permanent role after 12-18 months with excellent career prospects.
- Why this job: Take ownership of customer relationships and make a real impact in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in account management within fresh produce and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
A senior fresh produce commercial role with real customer ownership, strong brand credibility and a package. This is a senior commercial role with a leading fresh produce business, supporting its operation across key customer accounts. You'll be stepping into an established customer base, taking ownership of account performance, pricing, customer relationships, margin delivery and commercial planning. It is a maternity cover contract expected to run for 12-18 months, with potential for the role to become permanent if it works well for both sides. This would suit someone who knows the pace of fresh produce and enjoys a role where customer relationships, commercial judgement and operational delivery all matter.
Key Responsibilities
- You will take ownership of a portfolio of customer accounts across key sides of the business, working closely with internal teams to deliver customer service, sales, margin and profitable growth.
- Managing and developing key customer relationships across multiple channels.
- Leading pricing discussions, commercial negotiations and contract renewals.
- Managing customer P&Ls and account plans, risks, opportunities and growth plans.
- Working closely with procurement, operations, technical and finance to ensure customer commitments are commercially and operationally deliverable.
- Supporting forecasting, planning and promotional activity.
- Coaching and supporting Commercial Executives and wider sales colleagues where required.
What We're Looking For
You’ll need strong commercial or account management experience within fresh produce, ideally with exposure to fruit, berries, vegetables, salads or similar fast‑moving categories. You’ll be comfortable owning customer relationships, negotiating, managing P&Ls and making sound commercial decisions in a market where availability, pricing, quality and service can change quickly. The right person will bring:
- Proven sales or account management experience in produce.
- Strong customer relationship and negotiation skills.
- Experience managing customer P&Ls and delivering profitable growth.
- Good analytical judgement and commercial confidence.
- The ability to work cross‑functionally and influence internal teams.
- Leadership, coaching or team support experience.
This will not suit someone from a pure new‑business sales background or someone without fresh produce or customer account management exposure.
Why Join?
This is a strong opportunity to join a major name in fresh produce in a senior, visible commercial role. You’ll have ownership of meaningful customer accounts, the chance to influence performance quickly, and the opportunity to work across a business where service, margin, supply and relationships all connect. It offers a strong package, a respected brand, senior‑level customer exposure and the possibility of longer‑term opportunity if the fit is right. If you’re interested in learning more, we’d be happy to have a confidential conversation.
Senior Commercial Manager - Fresh Produce employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment
Henderson Brown Recruitment is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Portsmouth that values flexibility and competitive pay for its Multi Skilled Maintenance Engineer role. With a strong focus on employee growth and development within the FMCG sector, the company fosters a collaborative culture where innovative ideas are encouraged, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager - Fresh Produce
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Local Farms
Don’t be shy about visiting local farms and agricultural businesses — many of them often need extra hands, especially during busy seasons. Take a trip to farmers' markets, community gardens, and agricultural fairs; you’ll make connections and might hear about temporary roles before they’re advertised.
✨Join Agricultural Community Groups
Get involved in local farming networks or online communities dedicated to agriculture. These platforms often share job openings, volunteer opportunities, and events. Plus, building relationships in these circles can lead to recommendations and insider information about temporary gigs.
✨Seasonal Hiring Peaks – Be Prepared
Keep an eye on the seasonal hiring windows; many farms look for temporary workers during harvest time. Be proactive! Reach out to farms directly before peak season and express your interest in helping during those busy periods. It's all about timing!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Our Website
When you find a role you like, make sure to apply through our website! Highlight any relevant skills or experiences, such as volunteering or coursework related to agriculture, which can make you stand out in your application for temporary positions with companies like Henderson Brown Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager - Fresh Produce
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience with Plants:In agriculture, it’s all about hands-on experience, right? Make sure your CV showcases any relevant work you've done with crops, livestock, or even through volunteering. If you’ve held a position that involved tilling the soil or caring for plants, mention specifics so we can see your skills in action!
Highlight Your Physical Stamina:Temporary roles in agriculture can be physically demanding. Don't hesitate to mention any relevant physical capabilities or previous tough gigs you’ve tackled. This gives us confidence that you’re up for the challenges the job might throw at you!
Tailor Your Application to the Weather!:When applying for a temporary gig at Henderson Brown Recruitment, it's super important to let us know your availability, considering that agricultural work can sometimes be influenced by seasons or weather patterns. Make it clear when you can jump in, whether that’s for a few weeks or a month!
Bring along Any Certifications:If you have any cool certificates related to agriculture, like health and safety or machinery operation, be sure to include these in your application. They can really set you apart and show that you’re not just a regular applicant—you're someone who comes prepped and ready to contribute!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment
✨Show Off Your Practical Skills
In the agriculture field, hands-on experience is key. Be ready to chat about any specific tools or machinery you've worked with, whether it’s tractors, irrigation systems, or general farm equipment. If you’ve got experience with crop management or livestock care, flaunt that too!
✨Understand Seasonal Dynamics
Temporary roles in agriculture often revolve around peak seasons, so brush up on how the seasonal cycles affect agricultural work. Familiarise yourself with the planting and harvesting schedules for different crops. This shows that you're not just looking for a job; you understand the industry's rhythm!
✨Flex Your Adaptability
Temporary roles require a bit of flexibility as the tasks can change rapidly. Be ready to discuss past experiences where you had to pivot quickly, whether it was dealing with sudden weather changes or shifting priorities. Employers love seeing that we can adapt and tackle unexpected challenges!
✨Mindful of Safety Regulations
In agriculture, health and safety are paramount. Brush up on relevant safety regulations and be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to a safe work environment in previous positions. Demonstrating your knowledge of these practices will show your commitment to maintaining a secure workplace.
