At a Glance
- Tasks: Support key accounts in chilled meals and snacking, driving performance and managing customer relationships.
- Company: Join Pilgrim’s Europe, a leading food business with a focus on quality and partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and career development opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with potential pathways into permanent roles.
- Why this job: Gain valuable commercial exposure and work on exciting New Product Development projects.
- Qualifications: Food industry experience, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Uxbridge (Office-Based, Monday to Friday). Are you passionate about the world of food and ready to take the next step in your commercial career? At Pilgrim’s Europe, we’re proud to produce high-quality food and build strong partnerships with our customers. As part of our continued growth in the UK, we are looking for a Commercial Executive to join our team on a 12-month maternity cover contract, supporting key accounts across our chilled meals and snacking categories. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with food industry experience who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment and is keen to gain hands-on commercial exposure.
The Role
As a Commercial Executive, you will support the commercial team in delivering growth across key chilled and snacking accounts. Working closely with Commercial Managers, you’ll play a vital role in managing customer relationships, driving performance, and supporting the delivery of innovative food products.
Responsibilities
- Managing day-to-day customer accounts, with responsibility for specific elements of the chilled meals and snacking portfolio
- Building strong, collaborative relationships with customers and acting as their internal advocate
- Supporting the delivery of in-store and online activation plans in partnership with marketing
- Analysing sales and promotional performance to identify opportunities for growth
- Assisting with and leading New Product Development (NPD) projects from concept through to launch
- Supporting forecasting processes and providing commercial insights
- Contributing to the delivery of joint business plans and sustainable channel growth
Essential Qualifications
- Full UK driving licence
- Proactive and results-driven, with the confidence to challenge and improve ways of working
- Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities
- Self-motivated with a “can-do” attitude
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience in the food industry (manufacturing, retail, or supply chain), ideally within chilled categories
- Exposure to major UK retailers or foodservice accounts
- Previous experience in a commercial or account management role
- Experience with NPD, project management, or marketing activation
- Negotiation skills
Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- 12-month contract offering valuable commercial experience within a leading food business
- Exposure to well-known chilled meals and snacking categories, working with major UK retailers and foodservice customers
- Hands-on responsibility from day one, working on live accounts and key commercial projects
- Opportunity to be involved in exciting New Product Development (NPD) launches that reach supermarket shelves
- A collaborative and supportive team culture focused on development and success
- Access to training and development programmes to enhance your commercial, analytical, and customer management skills
- Career development opportunities, with potential pathways into permanent roles or progression into Commercial Manager or Category positions
- A dynamic and fast-paced environment where you can make a real impact
Our Values
- Availability - Embrace new opportunities
- Humility - Listen, learn, and respect others
- Discipline - Deliver on commitments
- Sincerity - Act with honesty and integrity
- Simplicity, Ownership & Determination - Focus on results and drive success
Commercial Executive Maternity Cover, Commercial Executive Maternity Cover in Uxbridge employer: Pilgrims Europe
At Pilgrim’s Europe, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in Uxbridge. As a Commercial Executive, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience in the food industry, with opportunities for career development and involvement in exciting New Product Development projects. Our collaborative culture fosters personal growth and success, making it a rewarding place to advance your commercial career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Executive Maternity Cover, Commercial Executive Maternity Cover in Uxbridge
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like Pilgrims Europe face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!
✨Join Industry-Specific Groups
Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at Pilgrims Europe.
✨Consider Seasonal Opportunities
Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like Pilgrims Europe during these periods, as they often look for extra support.
✨Got Skills? Show Them Off!
If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at Pilgrims Europe. Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Executive Maternity Cover, Commercial Executive Maternity Cover in Uxbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to Pilgrims Europe immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and Pilgrims Europe – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe
✨Brush Up on Food Safety Standards
In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with Pilgrims Europe. They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends
Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to Pilgrims Europe's projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.
✨Highlight the Learning Experience
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!
