At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of a premium dairy brand through strategic planning and innovation.
- Company: Fast-scaling dairy business redefining the chilled food market.
- Benefits: £50k salary for a 3-day week, competitive benefits, and high exposure to leadership.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive change and grow within a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and influence the growth of a leading UK food brand.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG strategy, strong analytical skills, and commercial savvy.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Innovative Dairy Business | Senior Commercial Planning Manager £50k based on a 3-day working week
West London – Office based | Part-time - 3 days per week
Our client: An ambitious and fast-scaling premium food business that’s redefining the chilled dairy and desserts space. With a legacy rooted in European craftsmanship and a strong UK presence, this business is known for its innovative approach to private label and branded offerings across major grocery retailers. Backed by significant investment and a clear long-term vision, they’re entering an exciting new phase – expanding capabilities, investing significantly, refining strategy, and setting the foundation for sustainable growth across the UK and European markets.
The Role: This Senior Commercial Planning Manager position sits at the heart of shaping the future direction of a private label division that represents c50% of UK operations. Working closely with senior leadership, you’ll operate at the intersection of strategy, commercial, and innovation, helping define “where to play” and “how to win”. Not your typical execution role - this is a genuine opportunity to shape long-term thinking, influence senior decision-making, and build the roadmap for future growth.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Supporting the development and delivery of the long-term private label strategy, aligned to growth ambitions
- Identifying and prioritising future growth opportunities, from category expansion to innovation pipelines
- Turning complex internal and external data into clear strategic insights and recommendations
- Partnering cross-functionally (commercial, category, technical) to translate strategy into actionable plans
- Driving portfolio optimisation and performance tracking, ensuring clear KPIs and delivery against plan
- Contributing to innovation direction, helping shape what the pipeline should look like over the coming years
About You: A strategic thinker with experience across commercial, category, insights or strategy roles within FMCG. Strong analytical capability – confident working with data tools (Nielsen, Kantar, Circana, etc.). Commercially savvy – understands how decisions impact P&L, pricing, and retail performance. Comfortable influencing at multiple levels and challenging the status quo. Collaborative and adaptable, with the ability to operate across functions and manage multiple priorities.
The Offer: Salary: £50k based on a 3-day working week (equivalent to c£82k full-time). Competitive benefits package. Based in West London, with bi-weekly travel to manufacturing sites. High exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to genuinely shape the future of a growing UK business. This is a rare chance to step into a strategic role that blends insight, innovation, and commercial thinking – ideal for someone looking to take ownership, drive change, and grow with a dynamic food business.
Interested? Get in touch or apply to learn more – we'd love to hear from you.
Contact Details:
Seven Search and Selection Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Planning Manager in London
✨Get Involved with Local Food Networks
Dive into local food science events, workshops, or meetups in your area. Places like farmers' markets or food innovation labs are great for connecting with professionals in the field and learning about part-time opportunities. Who knows, you might even stumble upon a gem like Seven Search and Selection Ltd!
✨Leverage University Resources
If you’re currently studying, tap into your university’s career services for part-time roles specifically in food science. They often have connections with local businesses looking for interns or part-timers, and they can point you towards seasonal hiring periods when companies like Seven Search and Selection Ltd are on the lookout for fresh talent!
✨Show Off Your Skills Online
Consider creating a blog or a social media account dedicated to food science and technology. Share your experiments, recipes or insights—this not only showcases your passion but serves as your portfolio when applying for part-time gigs. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!
✨Think Outside the Box
Look for part-time roles beyond the usual suspects. Food tech start-ups, food safety organisations, or even NGOs focused on nutrition might offer flexible positions that fit your schedule. And don’t forget to regularly check the careers page of Seven Search and Selection Ltd directly for any part-time openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Planning Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills in Your CV:When applying for a part-time role in food science and technology, make sure to highlight relevant skills like lab techniques, food safety knowledge, and any experience with quality control methods. It’s handy to include any specific coursework or projects that relate directly to this field. The more relevant skills you showcase, the better your chances of standing out!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Passion:In your cover letter, share why you are passionate about food science and how this part-time role at Seven Search and Selection Ltd fits into your career goals. We love to see enthusiasm, so mention any relevant experiences, like internships, workshops, or even personal projects, that have sparked your interest in this area. Let them know that you’re eager to learn and grow!
Quick References to Your Projects or Experiences:If you’ve worked on any specific projects, whether in university or during internships, give them a shout-out! Include links or a brief description in your CV or cover letter. This could be anything from research papers you've co-authored to experiments you've conducted. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience in food science!
Don’t Forget Certifications!:If you’ve got any certifications relevant to food science, like HACCP or food safety training, make sure to pop those on your CV. These not only bolster your application but also show that you’re serious about the industry. If you don’t have any yet, consider starting one soon—it may even make your application more competitive for part-time gigs like the one at Seven Search and Selection Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Seven Search and Selection Ltd
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
Make sure you're ready to talk about your practical lab experience. You might be asked about specific techniques or tools you've used in food science, like chromatography or sensory evaluation. We want to see that you’ve got hands-on skills, so bring examples or even a portfolio if you've worked on interesting projects!
✨Think on Your Feet with Scenarios
In the food science field, you might get hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Be prepared for questions like how you’d handle a food safety issue or optimise a product's flavour profile. Practising these types of questions can help us demonstrate our problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Food Innovation
Since it’s a part-time role, let’s emphasise your enthusiasm for food technology and innovation. Share any personal projects or experiences that show your commitment to the field. This can help us connect with the interviewers at Seven Search and Selection Ltd and showcase our motivation beyond just technical skills!
✨Network with Your Peers
Connecting with others in the food science community can give us insights into what's hot in the industry. We can also gather tips from peers about Seven Search and Selection Ltd and what they might be looking for in a candidate. It’s all about making those connections and getting the inside scoop to set us apart!
