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- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for challenger brands and manage retailer relationships.
- Company: YFYF, a dynamic company helping food and drink brands thrive in retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and high ownership in a small team.
- Other info: Work closely with senior leadership and make a tangible impact from day one.
- Why this job: Gain real influence and variety while shaping the future of challenger brands.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial experience in UK grocery and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.
About YFY
YFY helps challenger food and drink brands land and grow in retail. We sit between founders with ambition and retailers with shelves - and we make the commercial side of that relationship actually work. That means getting brands listed, keeping them there, and helping them scale profitably. We do this through retained account management, commercial projects, and outsourced buying support for retailers.
The Role
This is not a typical National Account Manager role. You’ll sit across both sides of the table:
- Acting as a commercial lead for challenger brands
- Managing retailer relationships and accounts
- Supporting retailers with sourcing and onboarding new brands
Some weeks you’ll be rebuilding a pitch for a brand targeting Waitrose. Others you’ll be deep in a range review with a buyer, or sourcing brands for a retail partner. If you’re used to owning accounts but want broader exposure, more variety, and real influence - this is that role.
What You’ll Do
- Lead commercial strategy for challenger brands
- Turn “we think we’re ready” into a clear route to listing
- Build sell-in decks, pricing, and proposition that buyers actually respond to
- Shape retail strategy across channels and categories
- Run national accounts
- Manage day-to-day relationships across retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, and others)
- Own JBPs, promotions, range reviews, and performance tracking
- Act as an extension of the brand’s commercial team
- Work on the retailer side
- Source and assess challenger brands for retail clients
- Support buying decisions, negotiations, and onboarding
- Bring a buyer mindset into everything you do
- Deliver high-impact commercial projects
- Pitch rebuilds, category reviews, pricing models, forecasting
- Work closely with the wider YF team to deliver outcomes, not just outputs
- Help shape what we sell
- Feed into how we package, price, and evolve our commercial services
- Bring insight from the frontline into how YF grows
What We’re Looking For
Non-negotiables
- Strong commercial experience in UK grocery (brand or retailer side)
- You understand how buyers think - and how to influence them
- Confident running accounts, building JBPs, and managing commercial performance
- Excellent written communication (decks, emails, proposals)
- Able to manage multiple clients without dropping the ball
- Genuine interest in challenger brands and early-stage growth
Nice to have
- Experience on both sides of the table (brand + retailer)
- Existing buyer relationships
- Category expertise (e.g. chilled, ambient, wellness, BWS, etc.)
How We Work
- Hybrid (London + flexibility)
- Small team, high ownership
- You’ll work closely with senior leadership and have real influence from day one
Package
Competitive, dependent on experience. We’ll be transparent early.
To Apply
Send your CV and a short note on: Which part of this role you’d run at hardest - and why. No cover letters. We want to see how you think.
Senior Commercial Manager in London employer: YF
Contact Detail:
YF Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research YFYF and its challenger brands. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and insights into the role. This can give you an edge and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you’d tackle challenges in managing accounts or influencing buyers. Use real examples from your past experience to demonstrate your skills and thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to take on the challenge of supporting challenger brands.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Commercial Savvy: Make sure your CV highlights your strong commercial experience, especially in the UK grocery sector. We want to see how you understand buyer behaviour and can influence decisions, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Craft a Compelling Note: In your short note, be clear about which part of the role excites you the most and why. This is your chance to show us your passion for challenger brands and how you’d tackle the challenges head-on.
Keep It Concise: We’re not looking for lengthy cover letters, so keep your communication sharp and to the point. Use bullet points if it helps convey your thoughts clearly – we appreciate clarity and brevity!
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at YF
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, dive deep into the challenger brands you’ll be working with. Understand their unique selling points and how they fit into the retail landscape. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and ability to influence buyers.
✨Master the Retailer Mindset
Familiarise yourself with the key retailers mentioned in the job description, like Tesco and Waitrose. Think about what drives their buying decisions and how you can align your strategies to meet their needs. This insight will show that you can bridge the gap between brands and retailers effectively.
✨Prepare Your Pitch Decks
Since you'll be building sell-in decks, practice creating a few mock presentations. Focus on clarity and impact, ensuring you can communicate your ideas succinctly. This will not only prepare you for potential tasks but also showcase your skills during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Multi-Client Management Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed multiple accounts in the past. Share specific examples of how you prioritised tasks and maintained strong relationships. This will highlight your organisational skills and ability to juggle responsibilities without dropping the ball.