At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major retail partnership and drive sustainable sales growth in the fresh poultry category.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a leading food business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to influence key customer strategies.
- Other info: Office-based role in Uxbridge with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape strategy and deliver growth while mentoring future talent in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong commercial acumen, and excellent negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Location
Uxbridge
Department
Commercial
Reports to
Commercial Director / Sales Director
Contract
Fixed-Term Maternity Cover - 12-month
About The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to join our Commercial team on a maternity cover basis.
Based at our Uxbridge office, this role will lead one of Pilgrim's Europe's most strategically important retail partnerships within the fresh poultry category.
You'll be responsible for driving sustainable sales growth, delivering profitable returns, and developing strong customer relationships while managing a significant own-label poultry portfolio.
Working cross-functionally with teams across Category, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and Technical, you'll play a key role in delivering customer success and commercial performance.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Own the P&L for a major retail account.
- Deliver sustainable sales growth and profitability in line with business objectives.
- Develop, negotiate, and implement annual Joint Business Plans (JBPs).
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key customer stakeholders.
- Drive performance across all routes to market, including convenience and online.
- Lead the commercial management and development of a major UK retail partner within the fresh poultry category.
- Identify market opportunities through customer insight, market trends, and data analysis.
- Develop and implement customer strategies that support long-term growth.
- Manage forecasts, risks, opportunities, and performance plans.
- Evaluate promotional performance and identify opportunities to maximise effectiveness.
- Monitor account performance and implement corrective actions where required.
- Drive forecast accuracy and performance through the S&OP process.
- Deliver annual budget targets and business improvement initiatives.
- Work closely with Category, Customer Marketing, and Product Development teams.
- Support innovation and NPD programmes that drive category growth and customer value.
- Develop customer activation plans across both in-store and digital channels.
- Coach, mentor, and support junior commercial colleagues.
- Share best practice and contribute to capability development across the wider team.
- Lead by example and demonstrate Pilgrim's Europe values in all interactions.
What We're Looking For
- Experience within a leading Food or FMCG business
- Own-label and/or branded experience
- Significant experience managing major retail accounts within FMCG or food manufacturing
- Proven success operating at Commercial Manager level or above
- Experience working with major UK grocery retailers
- Strong commercial acumen with P&L ownership experience
- Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
- Strong analytical, forecasting, and business planning capabilities
- Experience delivering Joint Business Plans and customer growth strategies
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment
- Experience Coaching, Mentoring, Or Developing Others
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Essential
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Ability to travel as required
- Working at Pilgrim's Europe
This is an office-based role located at our Uxbridge office, reflecting our commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, customer partnership, and team engagement.
Eligibility
Please note: Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK at the time of application.
Why Join Us?
- Take ownership of one of Pilgrim's Europe's most significant retail partnerships within the fresh poultry category.
- Play a key role in shaping strategy and delivering growth within a major own-label retail account.
- Work at the heart of a category that is central to both consumer demand and business performance.
- Gain exposure to senior customer stakeholders and influence decisions across Commercial, Category, Supply Chain, Innovation, and Operations.
- Join one of Europe's leading food businesses, supplying quality products enjoyed by millions of consumers every week.
- Collaborate with experienced teams across the wider business to drive innovation and commercial success.
- Develop your leadership skills while mentoring and supporting future talent.
- Be part of a business that encourages ownership, continuous improvement, and career development.
Our Values
- Ownership - Taking responsibility and delivering results.
- Determination - Driving growth and overcoming challenges.
- Simplicity - Focusing on practical solutions and what matters most.
- Humility - Listening, learning, and valuing others' perspectives.
- Sincerity - Acting with honesty, integrity, and respect.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Commercial Manager Maternity Cover, Senior Commercial Manager Maternity Cover in Uxbridge employer: Pilgrims Europe
At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises food safety and quality excellence. Our team in Attleborough benefits from continuous professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a commitment to innovation in food safety practices, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager Maternity Cover, Senior Commercial Manager Maternity Cover in Uxbridge
✨Get Involved in Local Events
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✨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.
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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 Senior Commercial Manager Maternity Cover, Senior Commercial Manager 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!
