Commercial Manager - FMCG (Private Label) in Rochdale

For over 40 years, Lancashire Farm Dairies has been dedicated to crafting exceptional yogurt with love and care. Our products, known for their quality and versatility, have become a staple for people from all walks of life. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards in every spoonful of our yogurt. Our unwavering commitment to excellence ensures we never settle or compromise on quality.

This is an amazing opportunity to join one of the top 100 fastest growing and multi award winning food manufacturing companies in the UK. Due to significant growth, Lancashire Farm Dairies are seeking an enthusiastic, confident, and tenacious Commercial Manager (Private Label) to join our rapidly expanding FMCG brand. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing the commercial growth strategy for a portfolio of major private label (retailer own brand) accounts. Your key tasks will include expanding distribution, increasing SKU count per customer, securing sales-driving agreements, and ensuring the execution of all customer agreements.

The ideal candidate will have time served experience in a commercially driven role within an FMCG, chilled food environment with experience dealing with major retail private label contracts. As a Commercial Manager, you should excel at building strong business relationships and possess effective communication and influencing skills. You will take a highly commercial approach to product costing, account planning, margin management, and terms negotiation. Additionally, you should be skilled in data analysis, report creation, and presenting ideas and solutions in a creative and engaging manner.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Act as the primary point of contact for agreed accounts, building and maintaining strong, strategic relationships.
• Proactively identify and convert new business opportunities within existing and new accounts to deliver against agreed new business and growth targets.
• Maximise profitable sales by achieving and exceeding budgeted revenue and margin objectives.
• Develop and expand relationships with new clients across the UK and Europe, driving sustainable growth and long-term profitability.
• Build a strong pipeline of new leads, prospects, and market opportunities, ensuring the consistent development of profitable business.
• Strengthen and grow customer relationships, ensuring retention, satisfaction, and incremental business opportunities.
• Identify and secure additional growth within existing accounts through cross-selling, upselling, and range extensions.
• Lead pricing and promotional strategies with customers to achieve agreed budgets and deliver commercial objectives.
• Continuously review and optimise customer visit cycles to maximise efficiency and support acquisition of new accounts.
• Conduct regular competitor analysis and benchmarking to identify market trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive category and range growth by actively leading the introduction of new lines and business opportunities.
• Support and execute retailer strategies and joint business plans, ensuring alignment with business objectives, profitability, and promotional activities.
• Leverage and manage stakeholder relationships across multiple retailer functions to influence and deliver the business agenda.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in business development or sales roles, preferably within related industry.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary and Holidays
• Holiday Buy Back Scheme
• Life Insurance
• Membership to Grocery Aid Support Services