At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a retail division, shape strategy, and drive growth at scale.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, a dynamic international food group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role with significant influence.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience in FMCG or food manufacturing required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with a diverse team and develop your skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Lead a core retail division. Shape strategy. Deliver growth at scale.
Our new VP, Retail Sales will take full commercial ownership of one of Sofina Foods Europe’s most significant retail divisions. This is a pivotal role for a commercially astute and visionary leader ready to take a high-performing team and well-established customer base to the next level. This role combines strategic direction with hands-on commercial leadership. You’ll be accountable for the performance of a well-established, high-value customer portfolio, while setting the vision for future growth, customer partnerships and team capability. Working cross-functionally across operations, innovation and technical teams, you’ll ensure customer strategies are commercially robust, executable and aligned to Sofina’s wider European retail agenda. Based in North Yorkshire, this role requires significant presence onsite at our Head Office, and will require frequent travel to customers and Sofina sites.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Owning and delivering the end-to-end commercial strategy for your business unit
- Leading revenue, margin and profit performance, with full P&L accountability
- Building and strengthening strategic partnerships with major retailers
- Shaping customer joint business plans with clear commercial intent and discipline
- Leading, developing and motivating a multi-disciplinary commercial team across sales, category and customer marketing
- Owning forecasting, budgeting and commercial planning cycles
- Collaborating closely with operations, technical and innovation teams to deliver customer-led solutions
- Ensuring customer plans align with Sofina Foods Europe’s broader retail growth strategy
The Ideal Candidate
You will be an experienced commercial leader with a strong understanding of UK grocery and/or convenience retail and will:
- Bring senior commercial leadership experience within FMCG or food manufacturing, with proven experience across chilled, frozen and ambient categories
- Have a proven track record of managing and growing major UK retail accounts
- Demonstrate strong commercial and financial capability, including margin management and forecasting
- Be a confident relationship builder with credibility at senior customer level
- Lead with clarity, purpose and accountability, developing high-performing teams
- Be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Balance strategic thinking with practical, execution-focused delivery
Why Sofina Foods?
This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile retail business unit within a growing, international food group supplying many of the UK and Europe’s best-known retailers. You’ll shape strategy, influence customer direction and develop a strong leadership team, while working in a business that values ambition, collaboration and customer-led growth. The role offers genuine long-term scope for impact, influence and progression within Sofina’s European leadership community.
Company Information
Sofina Foods isn’t just a food company - It’s a place to build your future. With a team of over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, we’re passionate about delivering quality meats and seafood products to consumers around the world. Join a company where innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drive everything we do. At Sofina, you’ll grow your skills, make a real impact, and work with responsibly sourced products from more than 50 protein sources across five continents. Our vision is bold: to be the most successful food company in the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the food industry, there’s a place for you at Sofina Foods.
Equal Opportunities
Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
Hours of Work: Full-time
Company: Sofina Foods
Country Code: GB
VP, Retail Sales - Commercial Business Unit Lead in Malton employer: Sofina Foods Europe
Contact Detail:
Sofina Foods Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Retail Sales - Commercial Business Unit Lead in Malton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and well-prepared.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role. A confident, concise summary of your experience can make a lasting impression during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Retail Sales - Commercial Business Unit Lead in Malton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of VP, Retail Sales. Highlight your experience in commercial leadership and any relevant achievements in the FMCG sector. We want to see how you can drive growth and lead teams!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your vision for the retail division and how your strategic thinking aligns with Sofina's goals. Let us know why you're the perfect fit for this pivotal role.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable results. Did you increase revenue or improve customer relationships? We love numbers that tell a story about your impact in previous positions!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sofina Foods Europe
✨Know Your Numbers
As a VP of Retail Sales, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on your P&L management skills and be ready to discuss specific revenue growth strategies you've implemented in the past. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed margins and forecasting.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare to share your approach to developing high-performing teams. Think about specific instances where you've motivated a multi-disciplinary team and how you’ve built strategic partnerships with major retailers.
✨Align with Sofina's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Sofina Foods' mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals for customer-led growth and innovation. Show that you understand the importance of collaboration across functions like operations and technical teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your strategic thinking and execution capabilities. Think through potential challenges in the retail sector and how you would address them. This will showcase your ability to balance strategic direction with hands-on leadership.