At a Glance
- 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.
- Other info: High-profile assignment with visibility and responsibility in a fast-paced environment.
- 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.
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
Join an ambitious, founder-led food and beverage manufacturer in North London as an Operations Manager, where your contributions will directly shape the future of the business. With a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture, you'll enjoy significant career progression, private healthcare, and a long-term equity opportunity, all while working closely with experienced founders in a fast-paced environment that values innovation and initiative. This is a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in a growing company that prioritises quality and customer partnerships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Commercial Manager -Grocery
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Interim Commercial Manager -Grocery at Zest Food Jobs, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Zest Food Jobs. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Interim Commercial Manager -Grocery. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Commercial Manager -Grocery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Zest Food Jobs:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Zest Food Jobs. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Food Jobs
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Zest Food Jobs that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Zest Food Jobs that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Zest Food Jobs’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
