Head of Grocery

Head of Grocery

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
The Bread Factory

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Grocery team, driving growth and strategy for our artisan bakery products.
  • Company: Join The Bread Factory, London's top Artisan Bakery with a passion for quality.
  • Benefits: Enjoy fresh bread daily, generous discounts, 25 days holiday, and more perks.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to develop and inspire a high-performing team.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of grocery at a leading bakery.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in grocery product development and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

The Bread Factory is London's leading Artisan Bakery, known for award-winning breads, pastries, and cakes, supplying top-quality products across e-commerce, grocery, food services, and retailers such as our GAIL's Bakeries nationwide. As our teams grow, we seek our next Head of Grocery to join our Grocery team.

Every day is different at The Bread Factory, but here are some of the things you will be doing:

  • Act as the thought leader for the Grocery channel, owning commercial strategy, value creation, and long-term growth planning.
  • Develop and deliver a three-year growth strategy, identifying key opportunities, routes to market, and future trading partners.
  • Lead stakeholder alignment and act as a catalyst for change to deliver strategic objectives and remove barriers.
  • Own pricing, range architecture, and portfolio strategy, including NPD, launches, and range optimisation.
  • Build and maintain senior relationships with key retailers, using category, competitor, and market insights to influence decisions.
  • Lead annual trading plans and trade marketing activity, ensuring alignment with customer and consumer strategies.
  • Oversee Joint Business Planning (JBP) and the annual account planning cycle, aligning with broader business goals to drive profitable growth.
  • Lead forecasting, volume planning, and risk management, collaborating cross-functionally to manage demand fluctuations.
  • Develop, coach, and upskill the Grocery team, driving best-in-class retailer marketing and strong commercial performance.

Our team tells us you will be a great addition if you have:

  • 5+ years' experience across product development, category management, and marketing within the grocery sector.
  • Proven track record of driving commercial growth, with strong leadership and strategic capability.
  • Deep understanding of the Bakery category, including market dynamics and competitive landscape.
  • Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and deliver results.
  • Excellent communication skills, with a track record of leading, motivating, and developing high-performing teams.
  • Strong commercial acumen, balancing growth ambitions with profitability.

What's in it for you:

  • Fresh bread daily to take home to enjoy with family and friends.
  • 50% discount at GAIL's and 40% off at The Bread Factory & The Flour Station Markets.
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
  • Discounts and Savings from high-street retailers and restaurants.
  • 24-hour GP service.
  • Cycle to work scheme.

Head of Grocery employer: The Bread Factory

The Bread Factory is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates creativity and innovation in the heart of London. As the Head of Grocery, you will not only lead a dynamic team but also enjoy unique benefits such as fresh bread daily, generous discounts at our bakeries, and ample opportunities for professional growth within a supportive environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the grocery sector while enjoying a fulfilling career with a company that values its employees.
The Bread Factory

Contact Detail:

The Bread Factory Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Grocery

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the grocery sector, especially those who work at The Bread Factory or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to discuss your ideas on commercial strategy and growth planning. We want to see your passion for the grocery sector shine through!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching The Bread Factory’s products and market position. Knowing our award-winning breads and pastries will help you connect with us and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at The Bread Factory.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Grocery

Commercial Strategy
Value Creation
Long-term Growth Planning
Stakeholder Management
Pricing Strategy
Range Architecture
New Product Development (NPD)
Market Insights
Trade Marketing
Joint Business Planning (JBP)
Forecasting
Volume Planning
Risk Management
Team Development
Commercial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Bakery: When writing your application, let your love for the bakery industry shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our values and how you can contribute to our mission at The Bread Factory.

Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Grocery role. Highlight your relevant experience in product development and category management, and don’t forget to mention any specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial growth skills.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key points stand out. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Bread Factory

✨Know Your Bakery Basics

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the bakery sector, especially the dynamics and trends within grocery. Being able to discuss market insights and competitor strategies will show that you're not just a candidate, but a thought leader ready to take charge.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset

Prepare to discuss your experience in developing growth strategies. Think about specific examples where you've identified key opportunities or successfully led a team through change. This will demonstrate your capability to own commercial strategy and drive long-term growth.

✨Build Relationships Before You Even Start

Research key retailers and understand their business models. If you can reference how you've built relationships in the past and how you plan to do so with The Bread Factory's partners, it’ll highlight your stakeholder management skills and your proactive approach.

✨Be Ready to Lead and Inspire

Think about how you've developed and motivated teams in previous roles. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your leadership style and how you’ve driven best-in-class performance. This will resonate well with their focus on coaching and upskilling the Grocery team.

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