Commercial Manager in Blackburn

Science In Sport Group is a world leader in sports and performance nutrition. We have two highly regarded brands; SiS and PhD Nutrition, serving over 320 professional teams worldwide across a range of sports. Brand ambassadors include Sir Chris Hoy, champion cyclist, and Eilish McColgan, Commonwealth champion. PhD Nutrition offers premium active nutrition for the active lifestyle community. Both brands sell through digital platforms and retail channels. In 2022 the company opened a state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing and logistics facility in Blackburn, Lancashire, giving Science In Sport an edge in cost and response time. Science In Sport partners with elite teams such as Tottenham Hotspur, Saracens Rugby, British Triathlon, etc., and is the official energy gel provider for RunThrough and nutrition partner of Ultra X.

The Role: Following the establishment of a new leadership team and recent change in ownership structure, we are recruiting a Commercial Manager, Europe to play a pivotal role executing our ambitious international growth strategy. The role will play a key part in the Europe team, leading in‑market distributors across several European countries. Formulating and delivering sustainable growth plans across your region and working cross‑functionally with supply, customer service and brand teams as well as collaborating with in‑market distributors will be key success indicators in this role.

Contract: Permanent
Salary: Up to £65,000
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:30
Location: Blackburn

Benefits:

• On‑site gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Product discount
• Birthday day off
• Pension scheme, employer contribution at 4%

The work – Your 4 most important responsibilities:

• GTM execution – Owning and executing go‑to‑market plans in various EU countries.
• Profitable collaboration – Collaborating brilliantly with in‑market distribution teams to drive profitable growth for both parties.
• Internal ambassador – Representing your markets across the SiS business, providing regular updates to cross‑functional teams and articulating clearly how we win in the region.
• Financial performance – Leading the region’s P&L from forecast through to financial delivery.

Accountability – What You Are Responsible For Delivering:

• In line with SiS commercial strategy, leading the creation and execution of ambitious annual business plans, optimising sales at every opportunity.
• Delivering the P&L from Net Revenue to Contribution Margin.
• Optimising trade terms with distribution partners, including pricing, investment and payment terms.
• Building accurate, bottom‑up forecasts in collaboration with in‑market and SiS demand planning teams.
• Holding distribution partners accountable to annual growth targets.
• Owning weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual sales numbers.
• Leadership of your defined region across the SiS business ensuring you have the resource required to succeed, providing regular updates and being the category expert in that region.
• Travelling to your defined territory, visiting stores and meeting with in‑market distribution partners.
• Collaborating brilliantly with SiS brand, innovation, supply, customer service, compliance & finance teams.
• Negotiating distribution agreements with in‑market partners.
• Identifying and unlocking new strategic opportunities in your defined region.

Capability – the skills and behaviours required to do this job well:

• High levels of commercial acumen.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain long‑term and productive relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Energetic & enthusiastic approach enabling you to execute new business strategies.
• Analytical, data‑led approach to problem solving.
• Strong negotiation skills with a clear focus on the ‘win‑win’ outcome.
• Proven track record of leading & building distributor‑based businesses in international markets (desirable but non‑essential).

Performance – how you will know you are doing a great job:

• Delivering key P&L metrics such as revenue and profit.
• Growing market share of SiS brands in your defined territory.
• Improving forecast accuracy.

Attributes – experience and mindset that will enable you to do well in this role:

• Demonstrable commercial experience operating across CGP/FMCG categories & channels in the UK or international markets.
• Experience selecting and managing international distribution partners.
• Strategic focus on building brands in your defined territory.
• Clear understanding of category management.
• Strong reporting skills with the ability to disseminate data and articulate it clearly.
• Ability to remain resilient within a dynamic & fast‑paced business.

Science in Sport Group is an equal opportunity employer; we value diversity and strive to cultivate an inclusive workplace. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We fully support reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, to provide an inclusive and welcoming recruitment experience.