Head of Sales & Commercial Growth (Food)
Head of Sales & Commercial Growth (Food)

Head of Sales & Commercial Growth (Food)

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
NTER TALENT

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and shape the commercial strategy for a growing food business.
  • Company: Dynamic food company with an ambitious growth vision.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, 33 days holiday, and flexible working.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on revenue growth and market expansion in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience in food or FMCG required.
  • Other info: Opportunity to develop a high-performance team and influence company-wide strategy.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Location: UK

The Opportunity

We are looking for a commercially driven Head of Sales to lead and shape the commercial strategy of a growing and ambitious food business. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving revenue growth, margin performance and market expansion across multiple channels including foodservice, wholesale and retail. The successful candidate will lead sales, marketing and telesales functions, ensuring a joined-up commercial strategy that delivers long-term growth.

The business is entering an exciting stage of development, and this role offers the opportunity to professionalise the commercial function, scale revenue and influence company-wide strategy while preserving the agility and culture of a fast-growing organisation. If you are a strategic commercial leader who is equally comfortable setting the direction and rolling up your sleeves to deliver results, this role offers genuine impact and progression.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute the overall commercial strategy aligned to business growth objectives
  • Deliver sustainable revenue growth, improved margins and expanded market share
  • Identify new opportunities across retail, foodservice and wholesale channels
  • Lead pricing strategy, promotional planning and margin management
  • Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform strategic decisions
  • Lead and develop the field sales and key account teams
  • Build and manage strategic relationships with major customers and buying groups
  • Support the sales team in negotiating high-value contracts and trading agreements
  • Drive performance against key commercial KPIs including revenue, margin and customer retention
  • Introduce structured sales processes, forecasting and pipeline discipline

Marketing & Brand Alignment

  • Work with senior leadership to shape and deliver the brand strategy
  • Align marketing activity with commercial growth plans
  • Oversee product positioning, launches and innovation pipelines
  • Lead trade marketing, digital marketing and campaign planning
  • Manage marketing budgets and track campaign ROI

Customer Growth & Retention

  • Oversee telesales operations to maximise inbound and outbound opportunities
  • Implement structured CRM and customer engagement strategies
  • Develop programmes that drive customer loyalty, retention and repeat business
  • Increase average order value and customer lifetime value

Leadership & Culture

  • Build and lead a high-performance commercial team
  • Coach and develop managers and emerging commercial talent
  • Introduce clear KPIs, accountability frameworks and performance reviews
  • Act as a values-led leader within the wider business
  • Own commercial forecasting and budgeting processes
  • Ensure sales strategy aligns with production, supply chain and operational capacity
  • Work closely with operations to ensure demand planning and commercial activity remain aligned

What We're Looking For

  • Senior commercial leadership experience within food or FMCG
  • Proven track record of delivering revenue growth and margin improvement
  • Strong key account management and negotiation experience
  • Experience managing multi-channel sales (foodservice, wholesale or retail)
  • Strong financial and analytical capability
  • Significant people leadership experience
  • Experience scaling a growing SME or developing commercial functions
  • Knowledge of both private label and branded food markets
  • Established relationships within the foodservice sector

Personal Attributes

  • Entrepreneurial mindset with strong commercial instinct
  • Strategic thinker who is comfortable operating hands-on
  • Pragmatic and solutions-focused
  • Strong relationship builder with high emotional intelligence
  • Resilient, adaptable and values-driven

Bonus: Up to 20% paid quarterly

Annual pay reviews

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Additional benefits linked to service and commitment

Working Pattern

  • Monday to Friday – 40 hours per week
  • Flexible working approach required to support commercial activities
  • Extensive UK travel with occasional overnight stays

If you are a commercially focused sales leader looking to shape the growth strategy of a developing food business, we would love to hear from you.

Head of Sales & Commercial Growth (Food) employer: NTER TALENT

Join a dynamic and ambitious food business that prioritises professional growth and a collaborative work culture. As the Head of Sales & Commercial Growth, you will have the opportunity to shape the commercial strategy while enjoying a flexible working environment and extensive benefits, including up to 33 days of holiday and quarterly bonuses. This role not only offers significant impact on the company's trajectory but also fosters personal development within a supportive team dedicated to driving success.
NTER TALENT

Contact Detail:

NTER TALENT Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Sales & Commercial Growth (Food)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show up prepared for interviews! Research the company, understand their products, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Confidence is key, so practice your pitch until it feels natural.

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and interested.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can drive growth in our food business. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sales & Commercial Growth (Food)

Commercial Strategy Development
Revenue Growth Management
Margin Performance Improvement
Market Expansion
Sales Leadership
Key Account Management
Negotiation Skills
Multi-Channel Sales Management
Financial Analysis
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Team Leadership and Development
Strategic Thinking
Brand Strategy Alignment
Performance KPI Management
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Sales & Commercial Growth. Highlight your experience in driving revenue growth and managing multi-channel sales, especially in the food or FMCG sectors. We want to see how your skills align with our commercial strategy!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams to success and driven market expansion. Remember, we love a good story that showcases your strategic thinking!

Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, let us know how you build and lead high-performance teams. We’re looking for someone who can coach and develop talent while maintaining a strong company culture. Share your approach to leadership and how you’ve fostered collaboration in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at NTER TALENT

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Head of Sales, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of revenue growth and margin improvement. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the food industry, and be ready to discuss how you've driven these in past roles.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset

Prepare to talk about your experience in developing and executing commercial strategies. Think of specific examples where you identified new opportunities or led pricing strategies that resulted in significant growth.

✨Build Relationships

This role requires strong relationship-building skills. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed key accounts and built strategic relationships with major customers. Highlight your emotional intelligence and adaptability.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

You'll be leading a high-performance team, so come ready to discuss your leadership style. Share experiences where you've coached and developed talent, introduced KPIs, and fostered a values-driven culture within your team.

Head of Sales & Commercial Growth (Food)
NTER TALENT

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