At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for premium chilled and frozen food products, driving growth and partnerships.
- Company: Join a leading UK chilled and frozen food operation with a strong market presence.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of premium food products and make a real impact in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior commercial roles within chilled food and strong retail relationships.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to lead and innovate in a competitive market.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
MacGregor Black are partnering with a large UK chilled and frozen food operation on the search for a Grocery Sales Director. This position will oversee a broad portfolio of premium own-label products, driving commercial strategy, deepening major retail partnerships, and shaping long-term growth within a highly competitive category. Experience managing and developing major grocery accounts is of particular interest, with the expectation of strengthening this relationship through insight-led negotiation, category understanding and a firm grasp of retailer ways of working.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commercial strategy for chilled and frozen own-label ranges, ensuring sustainable growth across all major retail partners.
- Deliver joint business plans and drive performance through data-driven decision making.
- Oversee the end-to-end commercial cycle, from forecasting and pricing to promotional planning, margin optimisation and contract negotiation.
- Collaborate closely with operations, supply chain, NPD and technical to ensure delivery against retailer expectations on quality, service level and innovation.
- Identify growth opportunities across categories, bringing forward insight-led recommendations that unlock value for both the business and retail partners.
- Provide leadership to the commercial team, setting clear direction, coaching high performers and encouraging a culture of accountability and collaboration.
- Represent the business externally when engaging with retail partners, industry bodies and key stakeholders, championing the brand’s capability and market position.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven track record as a senior commercial leader within chilled food, ideally with both own-label and premium product experience.
- Strong commercial relationship with Tesco, with demonstrable success managing complex JBP negotiations and retailer-specific commercial models.
- Deep understanding of chilled and frozen manufacturing, category dynamics, margin structures and supply chain challenges.
- Confident working with commercial data, financial forecasts and performance metrics to drive strategic decision making.
- Strong leadership capability, able to motivate cross-functional teams and build trusted retailer partnerships.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at senior level and represent the business with credibility.
For more information, please contact Jon McNeish.
Grocery Sales Director employer: MacGregor Black
Contact Detail:
MacGregor Black Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grocery Sales Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, especially those in chilled and frozen food. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with major grocery accounts and your success in driving commercial strategies. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s products and market position. Understand their challenges and think about how you can bring value to their team. This will not only impress them but also help you feel more confident during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that Grocery Sales Director role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and makes it easier for us to find your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Grocery Sales Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Grocery Sales Director role. Highlight your experience with chilled and frozen food, especially any work with own-label products. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements: When writing your application, don’t just list your duties; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve driven commercial strategy or improved relationships with major retailers. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves a lot of data-driven decision making, make sure to mention your experience with commercial data and performance metrics. We love seeing candidates who can leverage insights to drive growth and optimise margins!
Apply Through Our Website: Finally, don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the chilled and frozen food categories, especially the premium own-label products. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and consumer preferences in these areas, as this will help you demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since the role involves managing complex Joint Business Plans (JBP) and negotiations with major retailers like Tesco, brush up on your negotiation skills. Prepare examples of past successful negotiations and be ready to discuss how you can apply those strategies to strengthen retailer partnerships.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be prepared to talk about how you've used commercial data and performance metrics to drive strategic decisions in previous roles. Bring specific examples that showcase your ability to analyse data and make informed recommendations that lead to growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Grocery Sales Director, you'll need to lead a commercial team effectively. Think about your leadership style and how you motivate teams. Be ready to share stories that highlight your ability to coach high performers and foster a culture of collaboration and accountability.