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- Tasks: Manage the M&S account, ensuring smooth communication and commercial activities.
- Company: Established food manufacturer with a focus on key retail partnerships.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a significant impact during a critical transition period.
- Why this job: Step into a pivotal role and help shape the future of the commercial team.
- Qualifications: Experience managing major retail accounts, ideally with M&S, and strong commercial skills.
- Other info: High-profile assignment with visibility and responsibility in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A well-established food manufacturer has an opportunity for an interim Commercial Manager to provide immediate support during a period of transition. This role will play a crucial part in maintaining and strengthening the relationship with a key retail partner—M&S—while the business recruits for a permanent hire. The successful candidate will ensure the account is carefully managed, communication remains seamless, and commercial activity continues to run smoothly. This interim position offers an exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal role, safeguard an important customer relationship, and help lay the groundwork for the team’s future structure and capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Take day-to-day ownership of the M&S account, ensuring it is fully supported and that communication is handled professionally and proactively.
- Build strong working relationships with retail contacts and represent the business with confidence and credibility.
- Deliver clear, persuasive presentations tailored to customer needs.
- Partner closely with M&S to develop accurate forecasts, plan promotional cycles, and manage product costings.
- Shape and deliver joint business plans that foster sustainable, profitable growth.
- Lead pricing and commercial negotiations, maintaining strong margins and competitive positioning.
- Work alongside the Commercial Executive to interpret category insights and market data, ensuring decisions are informed and commercially sound.
- Collaborate effectively with internal teams—including marketing, supply chain, and product development—to guarantee smooth execution of customer initiatives.
About You
This role requires a commercially focused self-starter with proven experience managing major retail accounts within food—ideally with prior involvement in M&S. The ideal candidate will be confident under pressure, quick to build trust with key stakeholders, and capable of stepping into a fast-moving environment and adding value from day one.
Skills & Experience Required
- Strong commercial capability, including forecasting, cost management, and experience working with P&Ls.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence buyers and collaborate effectively with internal teams.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to take ownership of a high-profile retail account.
This is a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact during a business-critical period. The interim Commercial Manager will play an essential role in maintaining momentum with a major customer while also helping to shape the foundations of the commercial team for the future. It’s a high-profile, rewarding assignment that offers visibility, responsibility, and the chance to influence positive change. If you are immediately available and fit the bill, please do send your CV today!
Interim Commercial Manager -Grocery employer: Zest Food Jobs
Contact Detail:
Zest Food Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Commercial Manager -Grocery
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food and beverage industry, especially those who have experience with M&S. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights or even a referral that could land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising your pitch. Make sure you can confidently discuss how your skills align with managing major retail accounts and how you can add value from day one. Tailor your examples to show off your commercial capabilities!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for more opportunities! We regularly update our listings, and applying through us gives you a better chance of standing out. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in your job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Commercial Manager -Grocery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Interim Commercial Manager. Highlight your experience with major retail accounts, especially if you've worked with M&S before. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this interim role. Be sure to mention your proactive approach and how you can maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders. We love a good story that showcases your experience!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear, concise language and structure your documents well. We want to see that you can influence and collaborate effectively, even from the get-go!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Food Jobs
✨Know Your M&S Inside Out
Before the interview, do your homework on M&S. Understand their business model, recent news, and how they operate in the grocery sector. This will help you speak confidently about how you can support their needs and strengthen the relationship.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with P&Ls, forecasting, and cost management. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed retail accounts in the past, especially any relevant experiences with M&S or similar retailers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to negotiate pricing or manage a challenging situation with a key account, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since this role involves building relationships and delivering presentations, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and persuasively. You might even want to prepare a mini-presentation tailored to M&S, showcasing how you would approach joint business planning.
