Senior Commercial Manager –Lead Our Range Strategy. Shape Our Trade Plan. Drive Our Commercial Future.
We’re looking for a Senior Commercial Manager to lead the strategy that puts the right products, in the right stores, at the right time for our customers. This is a pivotal senior role at the heart of our food business, responsible for defining and delivering our Range Strategy, owning our Trade Plan, and championing commercial excellence across our retail estate.
What you'll get...
1. Hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office
2. Free onsite parking
3. 20% colleague discount
4. Company car allowance
5. Private medical & critical illness insurance
6. Health & dental cash plans
7. 24/7 virtual GP & fitness discounts via Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
8. Employee Assistance Programme
9. Life insurance & pension
10. Financial wellbeing tools & share incentive scheme
11. Cycle-to-work & Electric Vehicle schemes
12. Training & development opportunities
What to expect...
13. Define and deliver the Southern Co-op Range Strategy
Set the commercial vision - from product assortment and MPLs to merchandising rules, stockholding levels, activation opportunities and KPI frameworks. You’ll evolve this strategy annually based on performance, market trends and innovation.
14. Own and create the Trade Plan
Develop a dynamic calendar of trading activity including seasonal events, supplier activations, weather-responsive trading, and FRTS-driven initiatives. You’ll ensure seamless delivery of every event across the business.
15. Drive impactful cross-functional collaboration
Work closely with Retail Channel Development and Marketing to ensure the Trade Plan is effectively supported, communicated and executed.
16. Lead high-performing merchandising, commercial revenue & local sourcing, and availability teams
Ensure our merchandising systems and BI tools are fully optimised to enhance customer experience and commercial results.
17. Maximise availability and supply performance
Use data, insight and process improvement to continually strengthen on-shelf availability and stock management efficiency.
18. Champion automation and advanced AI tools
Embed next-generation merchandising functionality across teams, driving adoption and unlocking commercial value.
19. Own data integrity and process excellence across merchandising systems
Ensure all systems (JDA/SAI, VME) are governed, documented and continuously improved — maintaining impeccable data quality and supporting informed decision-making.
20. Be a trusted commercial voice across the business
Lead weekly, periodic and annual trade reviews, contribute to board and LT updates, and act as spokesperson for trading activity at key internal and franchise forums.
21. Shape future budgets and forecasts
Own the creation and validation of commercial budgets, partnering closely with Finance and the Head of Retail Commercial.
22. Act as Deputy to the Head of Retail Commercial
Provide senior leadership cover and cross-team support as needed.
What we're looking for...
23. Experience in merchandising or category management
(including advanced knowledge of JDA/SAI or equivalent systems and automation/assortment optimisation tools)
24. Management experience with multimillion-pound categories
25. Food retail / convenience experience beneficial
26. Strong negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills — from store colleagues to suppliers to senior leaders
27. Warm, approachable leadership style with high resilience and a positive, proactive mindset
28. Strong commercial and market awareness of UK food retail trends
29. Outstanding decision-making, problem-solving and organisational skills
30. Experience managing multiple concurrent initiatives and leading diverse teams
31. Knowledge of Co-operative Group, Independent Society or FRTS structures (beneficial)
About us...
We’re an independent Co-op, operating across the south of England running convenience food stores, funeral homes, crematoria, natural/woodland burial grounds and a Starbucks coffee franchise. We’re owned by our ,+ members, have over 4, colleagues and a purpose of working together for the benefit of our communities. We have a commitment to sustainable business and a promise to provide a fair, fresh approach, for all. Become part of the family who are proud to serve local communities and put people first.