Sustainability Director - FMCG in St Albans

Sustainability Director - FMCG in St Albans

St Albans Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Motor Fuel Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and shape retail trading performance across a dynamic multi-site environment.
  • Company: Join the UK's leading independent forecourt operator with a progressive retail reputation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive bonus, company car, pension matching, and private medical insurance.
  • Other info: Autonomy to influence commercial decisions and develop high-performing teams.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on retail strategy and drive growth in a fast-paced industry.
  • Qualifications: Significant experience in retail leadership and proven track record in improving profitability.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Motor Fuel Group is the UK’s leading independent forecourt operator, with a nationwide network of 1,200+ sites and a growing reputation as one of the most progressive convenience retail businesses in the market.

Operating across fuel, convenience retail, food-to-go, EV charging and roadside services, MFG continues to invest heavily in its retail proposition, customer experience and non-fuel growth strategy. As part of its continued growth journey, MFG is now looking to appoint a commercially driven Trading Director to lead and shape the future of its retail trading function.

Reporting to the Managing Director - Business Development, the Trading Director will lead the Trading, Pricing, Promotions, Category and Format teams, with full accountability for retail trading performance across the UK estate. This is a high-impact executive role focused on driving sales, margin and customer proposition across a fast-paced multi-site retail environment. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with strong trading execution, helping evolve MFG’s retail offer within an increasingly competitive convenience and forecourt market.

  • Take full ownership of the retail trading function across the estate with complete autonomy to shape commercial direction.
  • Conduct a full forensic review of the existing trading operation, identifying opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency and commercial performance.
  • Lead supplier, wholesaler and partner negotiations, challenging existing agreements and identifying stronger commercial opportunities.
  • Drive improvements across pricing, ranging, promotions and overall retail proposition.
  • Make decisive commercial recommendations around supplier strategy, trading structure and retail performance initiatives.
  • Build and execute a clear trading roadmap aligned to EBITDA and long-term retail growth objectives.
  • Work closely with the MD and board to influence wider business strategy and commercial decision-making.
  • Lead and develop high-performing trading and commercial teams across the retail business.
  • Utilise market insight, competitor analysis and customer behaviour data to drive trading decisions and commercial opportunities.
  • Identify new revenue and growth opportunities across convenience retail, food-to-go, EV and evolving customer missions.

We are looking to speak with commercially driven retail leaders who bring:

  • Significant senior trading leadership experience within convenience retail, forecourt, Wholesale or wider multi-site retail environments.
  • A proven track record of improving commercial performance, margin and profitability within fast-paced consumer businesses.
  • Deep experience leading supplier negotiations, wholesaler relationships and complex commercial agreements.
  • Strong knowledge of pricing, ranging, category strategy and promotional mechanics within convenience retail.
  • The ability to challenge existing trading models and confidently make difficult commercial decisions.
  • A highly analytical, commercially aggressive and performance-driven mindset.
  • Strong leadership capability with experience building credibility across board-level and operational stakeholders.
  • The gravitas, resilience and commercial judgement to operate with high levels of autonomy and accountability.

Competitive Bonus ~ Company car or car allowance ~ Pension is matching 6% base salary ~ Life insurance 2 x base salary ~ 25 days holiday ~ Private medical insurance for employee + partner/family.

Sustainability Director - FMCG in St Albans employer: Motor Fuel Group

Motor Fuel Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in St Albans where innovation and growth are at the forefront of our operations. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide extensive training opportunities and a competitive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and private medical insurance. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your contributions and empowers you to shape the future of convenience retail.

Motor Fuel Group

Contact Details:

Motor Fuel Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sustainability Director - FMCG in St Albans

Dive into Environmental Networks

Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Motor Fuel Group that might not be advertised widely.

Show Your Passion with Projects

Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like Motor Fuel Group that you're proactive and serious about the field.

Seek Out Green Job Boards

Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like Motor Fuel Group. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!

Let Your Online Presence Shine

Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like Motor Fuel Group when they search for candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Sustainability Director - FMCG in St Albans

Senior Trading Leadership
Commercial Performance Improvement
Supplier Negotiations
Wholesaler Relationships
Complex Commercial Agreements
Pricing Strategy
Ranging Strategy

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Motor Fuel Group's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Sustainability Director - FMCG.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.

Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!

Research Motor Fuel Group and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Motor Fuel Group is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Sustainability Director - FMCG.

How to prepare for a job interview at Motor Fuel Group

Brush Up on Environmental Legislation

Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Motor Fuel Group.

Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects

When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Motor Fuel Group.

Familiarity with Tools and Software

Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission

Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of Motor Fuel Group. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.