Head of Commercial - Cake

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you. As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive because we expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

In 2021, pladis proudly opened the doors to our vibrant global hub, the MIU Campus. Located in the heart of Chiswick Park, West London, just a short 5-minute walk from Gunnersbury Station, our campus is nestled within 33 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, offering a welcoming and inspiring environment for all. Chiswick Park is home to both our UK and Global Corporate teams, bringing together diverse teams across the business.

What will this role achieve? The Head of Commercial, Cake is part of pladis UK&I Cake Business Unit and reports into the Director - Cake.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Financials: Deliver pladis UK&I Cake P&L with Budget targets of NSV, volume, TGC/TGC% and GP.
• Customer management: Build a strong and strategic relationship with customers, directly but also across multiple cross‑functional functions.
• Strategy: Design and implement plans for 1–3 year strategic JBP for Cake, dovetailing both pladis and customer’s business strategies to drive mutual, category growth. Key contributor to the Cake playbook.
• Cake plans: Execute margin‑creation initiatives whilst maintaining customer support and growth.
• Collaboration: Build a strong relationship with pladis UK&I commercial teams, nurturing fruitful collaboration to prioritise Cake.
• Stakeholder management: Influence broad cross‑functional internal network of stakeholders across Commercial, Marketing, Commercial Excellence, Supply and Manufacturing.
• Line management: Coach and develop a team of 2 direct reports.

Bring your experience.

• Experience in Convenience or Grocery, or similar sectors, at Controller level or equivalent senior commercial roles (Head of Sales/ Sales Controller / Commercial Controller).
• Experience in owning the customer agenda and internal P&L for a scale customer or Channel, with proven track record of developing and executing customer growth plans.
• Strategic thinker.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and build consensus.
• Highly developed negotiation skills.
• Developed knowledge of category data and fact‑based selling.
• Line management experience.

What will the interview process be?

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition.
• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency‑based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.
• pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Car allowance, paid monthly, with optional Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)– this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self‑enrol into Health Cash Plan.
• Private medical Insurance.
• Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return‑to‑work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
• 25 days + bank holidays.
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme.
• 1 Volunteering Day per year.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounted gym membership – Carlisle and Chiswick only.
• Access to great training and development opportunities.

Pladis values

• Purpose led: We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.
• Agile: We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.
• Positive: We’re highly motivated, optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better.
• Resilient: We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward.
• Collaborative: We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together.

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis and Godiva are Equal Opportunity Employers, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidates to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business. We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.