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- Tasks: Lead sales and drive growth in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a family-oriented, innovative food business with exciting growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and relocation package available.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a thriving company and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in commercial leadership within UK food manufacturing.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for national travel and team development.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 140000 £ per year.
Sowena Group are partnered with a fast-growing food manufacturing business, supplying high-quality products to major retail and food service customers nationwide, in a retained search for a Commercial Director. With a strong heritage, family-oriented culture, and a modern, forward-thinking approach, the business is entering an exciting phase of strategic growth, underpinned by significant investment in new product development and operational excellence.
An experienced and commercially astute Commercial Director is required to lead the sales function and drive sustainable, long-term growth.
The successful candidate will shape and execute the commercial strategy across major retail multiples, food service operators, and wholesale channels, while developing a robust long-term sales pipeline and leading a team of account managers.
Working closely with Finance, Marketing, Operations, and the senior leadership team, the role carries full accountability for commercial performance, customer experience, and revenue growth.
- Define and deliver a clear commercial growth strategy with measurable targets across revenue, margin, and customer performance.
- Provide strong leadership, building a high-performance, customer-focused, and collaborative commercial culture.
- Identify and develop new growth opportunities across existing and new customer bases.
- Monitor trading performance and respond quickly to market changes, adjusting pricing, promotions, product focus, and channel strategy.
- Ensure consistently high standards of customer experience across all commercial touchpoints.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Digital teams to strengthen brand presence and drive commercial performance across digital channels.
- Work in partnership with HR to support team development, coaching, and capability building.
- Use data and insight to identify trends, improve performance, and unlock growth opportunities.
A proven commercial leader with strong UK food manufacturing or FMCG experience is required.
- Senior commercial leadership experience within UK food manufacturing or chilled/ambient FMCG environments.
- Proven management of sales within major UK grocery retailers.
- Strong food service channel development experience.
- Track record of building sustainable sales pipelines and delivering long-term growth.
- Experience leading and developing small to medium-sized commercial teams.
- Strong financial acumen with full P&L responsibility.
- Private label and/or branded product strategy experience.
- Inspirational leader with strong coaching and development skills.
This position requires a regular onsite presence at their site on the outskirts of the Lake District, alongside some national travel to key clients. A relocation package is available for candidates who are not currently based in the region and are willing to relocate.
Commercial Director/ Accounts Director employer: Sowena Group
Contact Detail:
Sowena Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director/ Accounts Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. 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 products and market position so you can speak confidently about how you can drive growth and enhance their commercial strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share examples of how you've built high-performance teams and driven sustainable growth in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you're the inspirational leader they need.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director/ Accounts Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Director. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in driving growth and leading teams, and don’t forget to show your passion for the food industry.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We’re looking for an inspirational leader! In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style and how you’ve built high-performance teams in the past. We want to know how you motivate and develop your team members.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sowena Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to revenue, margin, and customer performance. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performance teams and fostered a collaborative culture. Think about specific instances where your coaching made a difference in team performance.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in the UK food manufacturing and FMCG sectors. Be prepared to discuss how you would respond to market changes and identify new growth opportunities. This shows you're proactive and strategic.
✨Align with Company Values
Sowena Group values a family-oriented culture and modern approaches. Research their ethos and be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs. This will help you connect on a deeper level during the interview.