Commercial Sales Lead

Commercial Sales Lead

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead UK retail sales, drive growth, and build a high-performing sales team.
  • Company: Join yfood, a pioneering company revolutionising nutrition with Smart Food.
  • Benefits: 30 days paid vacation, hybrid work model, sports allowance, and free snacks.
  • Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in the food industry.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in UK Food & Drink retail sales and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Ready to rethink nutrition? At yfood, we’ve been pioneering good food for everyday life since 2017, offering balanced, convenient, and truly delicious options. With our products, we’ve created an entirely new category: Smart Food. Active across Europe, growing fast, and always on the lookout for fresh ideas. If you want to be part of a dynamic team that’s revolutionising the food industry, yfood is the place for you.

The UK is one of yfood’s most important growth markets. With strong foundations already in place, we’re now looking for a UK Commercial Sales Lead to accelerate our momentum, unlock new opportunities, and build a best-in-class retail operation. As UK Commercial Sales Lead, you will own and lead yfood’s UK retail sales agenda. Working closely with the UK Country Manager and our Munich HQ, you’ll drive growth across our existing retail partners while developing new business opportunities. You’ll be responsible for commercial strategy, key customer relationships, and building a high-performing sales team as the business grows. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

  • Commercial Leadership
    • Working closely with the UK Country Manager to manage the P&L for UK retail channels and customers, growing revenues sustainably.
    • Define and deliver the UK sales and channel strategy.
    • Create and deliver revenue plans to meet and exceed sales targets.
    • Identify white space and new business opportunities across UK retail.
  • Customer & Account Management
    • Lead/guide strategic relationships with key UK retail partners working with your experienced sales team.
    • Own commercial negotiations including pricing, trade terms, range, distribution, promotions and in-store execution excellence, for your customers and lead aligned strategies with your team.
    • Act as the key interface between UK retailers and yfood HQ teams.
  • Growth & Execution
    • Scale existing accounts while opening new revenue channels.
    • Work cross-functionally with Marketing to deliver strong local activation plans.
    • Partner with Operations on forecasting, inventory, and logistics planning.
    • Track performance, market trends, and competitor activity.
  • Leadership & Team Development
    • Build, lead, and develop the UK sales team over time (including agencies).
    • Oversee forecasting, reporting, and internal sales operations.
    • Lead with ownership, pace, and commercial discipline.

What You Need To Succeed

  • You’re a commercially driven, hands-on sales leader who combines structure with hustle and thrives in high-growth environments.
  • 7+ years’ experience in UK Food & Drink retail sales.
  • Strong experience across grocery, high street, and convenience/wholesale channels.
  • Proven success winning new retail accounts and scaling existing partnerships.
  • Experience owning retail P&Ls and managing complex route-to-market strategies.
  • Leadership experience, with a track record of managing and developing teams.
  • Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strong analytical skills and commercial acumen.
  • A growth mindset, high energy, and strong sense of ownership.

What Drives Us

  • Passion: We’re passionate about what we do. Full of energy, optimism, and hungry for what’s next.
  • Responsibility: We have each other’s backs, take responsibility, and give it our all when it really matters.
  • Professionalism: We take our work seriously, but not ourselves too much. We’re open, straightforward, and always on equal footing. No bullshit, no egos. Just teamwork.
  • Innovation: We prefer “Why not?” over “That’s how it’s always been done.” We love new ideas, unconventional approaches, and never stand still.

What We Offer

  • We promote equal opportunities and value diversity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
  • yfood goes international. Although Germany is our home base, we have created a dynamic and colorful environment with our international markets, where many exciting topics are waiting for you.
  • Agility is key. That's why we work in a hybrid work model and offer you the opportunity to work with Workation from other EU countries.
  • Vacation is important. That's why we give you 30 days of paid vacation per year.
  • yfood keeps you fit. For this purpose, we offer a sports allowance, workshops and campaigns (e.g. breathwork, yoga) as part of our health management.
  • Train your taste buds. Everyone who wants to is part of our Sensory Team. So try new products, varieties or flavors before anyone else. Otherwise, there’s as much yfood as you can carry, for free of course in all our offices but also if you work remotely.
  • As a start-up you often have to fight with clichés. But some of them are true. That’s why we also offer a fruit basket, your free caffeine kick or the still water.
  • Come as you are. Whether in a suit or unicorn onesie. We do not have a dress code.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At yfood, we are committed to creating equal opportunities for everyone. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Applications from people with disabilities are explicitly encouraged.

Contact

Katharina Bauer
Talent Acquisition Manager
jobs@yfood.eu

About Us

With yfood, we are the market leader in the smart food category in Germany, a new category of products with a complete nutrient profile that are quickly and easily available at any time. Since our founding in 2017, we have been making innovative "complete food" in the form of drinks, bars as well as powders, enabling simpler, better nutrition - especially in everyday situations where it is not always easy to have a balanced diet due to time or availability issues. The products contain all the essential micro- and macronutrients our body needs - without sacrificing taste. Sustainability is also important to us. For example, we use resources responsibly and have been a carbon-neutral company since 2021. Currently, more than 180 food enthusiasts are working on our vision of making balanced nutrition easier. Our products are available in more than 30 European markets, including the UK, France, and the Netherlands.

Commercial Sales Lead employer: yfood Labs

At yfood, we pride ourselves on being an innovative and dynamic employer that champions a culture of passion, responsibility, and professionalism. As the UK Commercial Sales Lead, you will thrive in a fast-paced environment with ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, supported by a hybrid work model, generous vacation days, and a commitment to employee well-being through health initiatives. Join us in revolutionising the food industry while enjoying a vibrant workplace that values diversity and creativity.

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Contact Details:

yfood Labs Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Sales Lead

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We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Sales Lead

Commercial Strategy
Retail Sales Management
P&L Management
Customer Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Team Leadership
Analytical Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at yfood Labs, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!

Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at yfood Labs.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to yfood Labs. Make it personal and compelling!

Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at yfood Labs. It shows you're committed to your professional development.

How to prepare for a job interview at yfood Labs

✨Know Your Lab Tech!

Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.

✨Show Off Your Project Experience

Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.

✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills

Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!

✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to yfood Labs’s mission.