Head of Grocery in London

Head of Grocery in London

London 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 a cycle to work scheme.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence and develop 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 in London employer: The Bread Factory

The Bread Factory is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration within the grocery sector. With a commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic team while enjoying benefits such as generous discounts on our products, 25 days of holiday, and a supportive environment that values your contributions. Join us in London, where every day brings new challenges and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the artisan bakery industry.
The Bread Factory

Contact Detail:

The Bread Factory Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Grocery in London

✨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 insider info that could help you stand out.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research The Bread Factory’s products and their market position. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around growth strategies and stakeholder management.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led teams or projects successfully. Highlight how you’ve driven commercial growth and influenced decisions in previous roles – this is key for the Head of Grocery position.

✨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 genuinely interested in joining The Bread Factory family.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Grocery in London

Commercial Strategy
Value Creation
Long-term Growth Planning
Stakeholder Management
Pricing Strategy
Range Architecture
New Product Development (NPD)
Market Insights
Annual Trading Plans
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 growth in the grocery sector.

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. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows 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. The Bread Factory is looking for someone who understands the market inside out, so be ready to discuss how you can leverage this knowledge to drive growth.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset

Prepare to talk about your experience in developing long-term growth strategies. Think of specific examples where you've identified key opportunities or successfully led a commercial strategy. This will demonstrate your capability as a thought leader in the grocery channel.

✨Build Relationships, Even Before the Interview

Since stakeholder management is crucial for this role, consider reaching out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Understanding their experiences can give you valuable insights and help you articulate how you would build and maintain those senior relationships.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risk. Think of scenarios where you've had to align teams or overcome barriers to achieve strategic objectives. Being able to share these stories will highlight your leadership and collaboration skills.

Head of Grocery in London
The Bread Factory
Location: London

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