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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK entity of a global food business and drive commercial strategy.
- Company: One of Europe's largest privately owned food producers with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a significant impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in FMCG, strong commercial background, and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Based in Carlisle, with a focus on innovation and operational excellence.
Job Overview
Commercial MD role for SME supplying fresh and frozen products into the UK market. Opportunity to lead the UK entity of a global business in a period of growth.
About Our Client
One of Europe’s largest privately owned food producers, this company operates across more than 70 global markets and employs over 4,000 people. Headquartered in Europe, it runs advanced manufacturing facilities in multiple countries and supplies major international retailers and distributors. Known for its vertically integrated model, the business controls everything from production to logistics, ensuring quality and responsiveness. It holds certifications for food safety and sustainability and is recognised for its innovation and commitment to responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. Their UK HQ is based in Carlisle.
Job Description
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the company's commercial strategy to drive revenue and margin growth.
- Lead cross-functional teams to deliver operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
- Represent the business externally with key stakeholders, customers, and partners.
- Commercial & Sales Growth
- Own and expand relationships with major retailers, foodservice distributors, and B2B manufacturers.
- Identify new market opportunities and lead product innovation aligned with customer needs.
- Oversee pricing, margin management, and contract negotiations.
- Financial & Operational Oversight
- Deliver against financial targets including revenue, EBITDA, and working capital.
- Collaborate with finance and operations to ensure efficient supply chain and cost control.
- Monitor KPIs and implement performance improvement initiatives.
- Team Leadership & Culture
- Build and inspire a high-performing commercial and operational team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Champion talent development and succession planning.
The Successful Applicant
This hands-on FMCG Managing Director role requires candidates who are comfortable leading sales teams and negotiating retailer relationships. This would suit someone in a CCO role looking for their first move into an MD/CEO role.
- Proven leadership experience in the food industry, ideally in chilled, ambient, or frozen categories.
- Strong commercial background with success in retail, foodservice, and B2B channels.
- Experience managing P&L and delivering sustainable growth.
- Strategic thinker with hands-on commercial acumen.
- Excellent relationship builder and communicator.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
- Experience in branded and private label products.
- Familiarity with retailer dynamics (e.g., Aldi, Tesco, foodservice wholesalers).
- Understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain.
This role is based out of the HQ in Carlisle, candidates are expected there 3 times per week.
What’s on Offer
Competitive basic salary + performance related bonus £200,000 overall package.
Managing Director in Carlisle employer: Page Personnel
Contact Detail:
Page Personnel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director in Carlisle
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Managing Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in leading teams and driving growth. They want to see that you can inspire and manage a high-performing team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your commercial strategy! Prepare to talk about how you've successfully driven revenue and margin growth in previous roles. This will show you're the strategic thinker they need for their UK entity.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to us. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to lead a global business in a period of growth!
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director in Carlisle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Managing Director role. Highlight your leadership experience in the food industry and any relevant achievements that showcase your commercial acumen. We want to see how you can drive growth and inspire teams!
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 your vision for the company and how your background aligns with our goals. Remember, we love a bit of personality!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you lead a successful product launch or improve sales figures? We want to see numbers that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially in the FMCG sector.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Page Personnel
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Managing Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like revenue, EBITDA, and working capital. Be ready to discuss how you've driven these numbers in previous roles and how you plan to do so in this position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong team leadership. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of accountability and innovation. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you inspired your team to overcome them.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the UK food market, especially the dynamics of major retailers like Aldi and Tesco. Be prepared to discuss market opportunities and how you would approach product innovation to meet customer needs.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions around your strategic vision for the company. Think about how you would develop and execute a commercial strategy that drives growth. Be ready to articulate your thoughts on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
