At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key retail accounts and drive sales performance for a well-known food brand.
- Company: Reputable UK food manufacturer with a supportive team culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, and the chance to make an immediate impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and exposure to various business functions.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and work on major retail accounts in the FMCG sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
Looking for your next step into major retail accounts? We are working with a well-established name in UK food manufacturing which is looking for a Commercial Manager to cover maternity leave for 12 months, managing a portfolio linked to one of the country's best-known food brands. This is a great-fit role for someone who enjoys owning customer relationships end-to-end - from strategic planning through to day-to-day account management - and wants exposure to major retail accounts within a well-known FMCG environment. You’ll be based on-site (North London), with travel to customer sites and meetings forming part of the role.
The Role
- Reporting into the Senior Commercial Manager, you’ll take charge of a dedicated customer portfolio, with accountability for sales performance, margin, and volume targets.
- Building and owning Joint Business Plans.
- Acting as the main point of contact for key customer stakeholders, nurturing long-term partnerships.
- Managing budgets, forecasts, and reporting with a high level of accuracy.
- Spotting growth opportunities using market data, customer insight, and commercial analysis.
- Reviewing promotional campaigns and recommending improvements to drive better ROI.
- Partnering with teams across Marketing, Supply Chain, Category, Insight, NPD, and Operations to deliver joined-up customer solutions.
- Representing the customer's perspective in internal discussions and decision-making.
- Supporting more junior members of the commercial team.
What We’re Looking For
- Solid background in commercial or account management roles.
- Experience gained in FMCG, food production, or retail sectors.
- Confident negotiator with strong influencing skills.
- Track record of managing customer accounts and hitting growth targets.
- Comfortable with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
- Strong communicator, able to manage relationships at all levels.
- Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and the wider Microsoft Office suite.
- Full UK driving licence, with flexibility to travel.
Ideally you will have:
- A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
- Previous exposure to major UK retail customers.
This is a great opportunity to join this reputable business, to work on a well-known brand with a top UK retail account. You’ll become a key member of a supportive close-knit team and will be able to make an immediate, visible impact.
Commercial Manager - 12 month FTC employer: Zest Recruitment
Join a leading food manufacturer in Newark, where you will thrive in a modern, well-invested facility that prioritises ongoing training and development. Our supportive engineering team fosters a collaborative work culture, ensuring that you have the resources and encouragement needed to excel in your role as a Multi-Skilled Engineer, while contributing to meaningful projects that drive continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager - 12 month FTC
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Zest Recruitment. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Zest Recruitment.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Zest Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager - 12 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Zest Recruitment and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Recruitment
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Zest Recruitment will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Zest Recruitment.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Zest Recruitment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Zest Recruitment. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
