At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial strategy, manage suppliers, and optimise pricing in a fast-paced grocery startup.
- Company: Join a dynamic team launching an innovative grocery concept in Central London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to shape a new business from the ground up.
- Why this job: Be part of a unique opportunity to make a real impact in a growing venture.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial acumen and experience in grocery retail are essential; startup experience is a plus.
- Other info: Ideal for self-starters who thrive in a flexible, hands-on environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Location: Central London
Position Type: Full-Time
Reporting to: CEO
About us:
We are a group of start-up and retail experts, launching a new grocery concept in the UK. We are ambitious, dynamic and on a mission to create something exciting and unique. Weβre fast-moving, so flexibility, ownership, and a willingness to jump in wherever needed are key. Youβll be joining a team where no job is too small or too big, and speed matters. If youβre motivated by building from scratch, driving impact, and growing with a company, weβd love to meet you.
About the Role:
We are seeking a commercially driven, resourceful, and strategic individual to join our growing grocery retail venture in the UK. This role is ideal for someone who understands commercial strategy, product sourcing, pricing strategy, and supplier management β with a proven ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, hands-on environments. You will work closely with the founding team to help shape the commercial strategy from the ground up. This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a business in its early stages.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify which grocery products are commercially viable, balancing quality, pricing, and customer demand
- Build and manage supplier relationships, handling sourcing, negotiations, and performance oversight
- Define pricing and promotion strategies to optimize margins and category performance
- Manage the full supply chain directly β from coordinating deliveries and managing shelf life to ensuring timely and accurate in-store execution
- Lead the rollout of products for new store openings and category launches, ensuring all commercial and operational elements are in place
- Take full ownership of day-to-day tasks β including supplier negotiations, troubleshooting delivery issues, and last-minute problem solving
- Operate with energy, initiative, and a strong sense of ownership β this role is for someone who thrives on taking responsibility
Candidate Profile:
- Strong commercial acumen, with a background in grocery retail (startup or established brand experience both welcome)
- Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating terms
- Confident in navigating ambiguity and comfortable in a rapidly changing environment
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, solve problems, and deliver results
- Self-starter with a hands-on mindset and strong attention to detail
- Familiarity with the UK grocery landscape, particularly in or around London
- Savvy in using modern IT tools incl AI to enhance productivity of the commercial team
Compensation: Competitive base salary
Commercial Manager β UK Grocery Retail Startup employer: Mount Venture Capital Fund
Contact Detail:
Mount Venture Capital Fund Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager β UK Grocery Retail Startup
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the UK grocery landscape, especially in London. Research current trends, popular products, and emerging competitors to demonstrate your knowledge during discussions.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the grocery retail sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the startup environment.
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills by preparing examples of successful supplier relationships you've managed in the past. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to benefit our startup.
β¨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your adaptability by sharing experiences where you've thrived in fast-paced environments. Highlight specific challenges you've overcome and how they relate to the dynamic nature of a startup.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager β UK Grocery Retail Startup
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in grocery retail, supplier management, and commercial strategy. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to thrive in fast-paced environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your skills align with their mission and values, and provide examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships or driven commercial strategies in the past.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: Include instances in your application where you've navigated ambiguity or solved complex problems. This will demonstrate your ability to operate effectively in a rapidly changing environment, which is crucial for this role.
Highlight Your Initiative: Emphasise your self-starter attitude and hands-on mindset. Provide examples of situations where you've taken ownership of projects or tasks, showcasing your energy and initiative in driving results.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mount Venture Capital Fund
β¨Show Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of commercial strategy, product sourcing, and pricing. Highlight any relevant experience in grocery retail, whether from a startup or an established brand, to demonstrate your capability in this area.
β¨Demonstrate Flexibility and Initiative
This role requires someone who can adapt quickly and take ownership of tasks. Share examples from your past where youβve successfully navigated ambiguity or taken the lead on projects, showcasing your hands-on mindset.
β¨Highlight Supplier Management Skills
Since managing supplier relationships is key, be ready to discuss your negotiation tactics and how you've built successful partnerships in previous roles. Specific examples will help illustrate your effectiveness in this area.
β¨Familiarity with the UK Grocery Landscape
Research the current trends and challenges in the UK grocery market, especially around London. Showing that youβre informed about the industry will demonstrate your genuine interest and readiness to contribute to the team.