Client
As a leading Produce Business our client has an impressive track record of success and an exceptionally bright future. They are category leaders within their product areas and have grown considerably over the past several years. They have now established a 5 Year Strategic plan that will see them increase group turnover by 35% and will involve the inclusion of new customers and channels within the UK. Having recently made significant and £multi-million CAPEX investment across both production and head-office functions, they are now seeking a Commercial Manager to join the team.
The Role
As the Commercial Manager you will take full P&L accountability for 2 key customers, which equates to a sizeable piece of the overall sales/profit of the business unit, hence the role is a highly challenging one. You will also act as the Business Lead in an effort to take the category and customer to new levels of growth performance. Having close involvement with Produce Development and Packaging, you will also feel the stretch of your intellectual capabilities as you find new ways of understanding your customer and end consumer.
* Managing & Building New Business
* Lead Matrix Projects
* Direct customer contact across all relevant functions.
* Negotiate annual Joint Business Plans (JBPs)
* Full appreciation of the complexity of dealing with challenging customers
* Manage product mix to maximise margin.
* Negotiate all elements of pricing, terms and promotions within Business guidelines.
* Deliver price increases.
* Pre- and post-evaluate promotional activity.
* Ensure that activity supports central brand direction where applicable
* Exercise Trade Spend control and process adherence
* Manage effective communication of Brand plans to the Customer Base
Candidate Requirements
Whilst you will be fully supported by the Sales Director to whom you report; the emphasis will very much be on you to show how you can deliver and grow the Business. The category in which the role operates brings both challenges of leading NPD and Category initiatives requirements and also a Growth focused environment where strength of character is key. The Business offers successful employees a clear structured career path which they can follow across the several divisions they operate.
The ideal candidate will have gained strong experience in Retailer Brand or Branded across one or more of the following channels:
* Grocery
* Discounters
* Cash & Carry
* Highstreet