At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects in Produce, Horticulture, and Bakery to boost sales and retailer engagement.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland's top foodservice provider with a family-oriented culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values ambition, teamwork, and integrity while giving back to the community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Two years' experience in retail, strong analytical skills, and a full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 6,000 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024. We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live.
As a Commercial Manager within the Customer Proposition team, you will play a key role in delivering performance across Produce, Horticulture and Bakery categories. This is a delivery-focused role where you will work directly with independent retailers and the HWL Sales Team to improve participation, execution and commercial outcomes across the estate. You will work closely with Trading, Retail Operations and cross-functional teams to ensure agreed plans, projects and initiatives are delivered consistently, supporting sales growth, operational standards and retailer engagement.
Joining us as a Commercial Manager you will:
- Deliver project plans across Produce, Horticulture and Bakery, ensuring consistent execution and clear outputs across the estate.
- Drive Fresh category participation through effective execution of promotional plans, seasonal activity and agreed initiatives.
- Support growth in wholesale purchases across all categories by improving retailer engagement, distribution and ordering behaviour.
- Maintain strong in-store execution across Produce, Horticulture and Bakery, ensuring availability and participation in promotions and initiatives.
- Support the implementation and optimisation of Automatic Stock Replenishment (ASR), ensuring correct ranging, effective set-up and ongoing performance monitoring.
- Monitor category performance, identify risks and take corrective action to improve sales, participation, store standards and wholesale purchasing trends.
- Own retailer engagement within assigned categories, providing clear and practical guidance on range compliance, space utilisation, merchandising standards and stock control.
- Work cross-functionally with Trading, Retail Operations, Space Planning, Logistics and Marketing to ensure coordinated delivery of category plans and initiatives.
Skills for Success:
The minimum criteria you'll need is:
- A minimum of two years' recent and relevant experience within a supermarket or convenience food business.
- Experience working with fresh or perishable categories.
- Strong commercial and financial awareness, with the ability to translate data into clear actions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes.
- A good understanding of the Northern Ireland retail market.
- A full, current UK or EU driving licence with access to your own vehicle.
The attributes you'll need include:
- Ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
- A proactive approach with strong ownership of delivery.
- A structured and organised way of working.
- Confidence to challenge and improve existing ways of working.
- Strong attention to detail with a focus on outcomes.
It is desirable if you have:
- A third-level qualification.
- Proven ability to lead, coach and develop teams within fresh or perishable product categories.
- Previous experience working collaboratively with retailers, store colleagues and/or sales teams to deliver business objectives.
- Confident in presenting insights, recommendations and business cases to retailers and internal stakeholders, influencing decisions through strong commercial understanding.
- Relevant experience working within the Northern Ireland retail or wholesale market.
- Strong analytical experience, providing data-led insight to support commercial decision-making.
- Previous experience assessing development, investment or growth opportunities.
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by:
- Ambition? We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
- Customer First? We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
- Teamwork? We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
- Integrity? We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners. You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.
Benefits include market competitive salary, car allowance, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Reward Gateway Employee Recognition & Discount Scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available. Please note this role will require the successful applicant to make occasional visits/business trips away from home.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer. Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight Monday 10th August 2026. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Commercial Manager Produce, Horticulture & Bakery (Maternity Cover) in Newtownabbey employer: Henderson Group
Henderson Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in Limavady, where employees are encouraged to grow and develop their careers. With a strong focus on teamwork, integrity, and customer service, staff enjoy attractive benefits including competitive pay, discounts, and a commitment to employee well-being. Join us to be part of a family-owned business that values ambition and community support, making every day at work meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager Produce, Horticulture & Bakery (Maternity Cover) in Newtownabbey
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Henderson Group.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Henderson Group.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Henderson Group; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager Produce, Horticulture & Bakery (Maternity Cover) in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Henderson Group.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Commercial Manager Produce, Horticulture & Bakery (Maternity Cover).
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Henderson Group is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Henderson Group a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Henderson Group might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
