Commercial Manager

SSP UK & Ireland; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Commercial Manager, where you will lead the execution of innovative commercial strategies aimed at driving EBITDA growth across various propositions within Bars. This role is pivotal in optimizing sales through strategic pricing, menu creation, and upselling techniques while collaborating with diverse teams to enhance customer experiences. Your analytical mindset and ability to manage stakeholder relationships will be crucial in delivering impactful results. If you're ready to make a significant contribution in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in price, range, and margin optimisation to deliver commercial results.
• Ability to analyse data and drive decision-making based on insights.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute commercial plans for Bars to drive EBITDA growth.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders to enhance customer experience.

Skills

Commercial strategy development

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Sales experience

Innovative thinking

Customer relationship management

Job description

Commercial Manager

Company: SSP

Location: London, NW1, United Kingdom

Job Type: Hybrid

Job Description

About the Role

The Commercial Manager will create and execute the commercial plan for several OB propositions within Bars, aiming to deliver EBITDA growth from like-for-like sales and gross margin improvement activity.

The role holder will be expected to drive like-for-like sales growth through various levers, including range improvement, price and promotion optimisation, upselling, and maximising space usage. They will focus on creating customer-led propositions, considering all aspects from menu creation to customer delivery.

The role requires working with stakeholders to identify supplier income opportunities, collaborating with the culinary team to simplify and standardise recipes, and reducing the impact of commercial activity on waste and labour.

Success in this role depends on building effective relationships with operational, purchasing, and NPD teams. Full stakeholder alignment and influencing are key to creating commercial plans that support operational teams and enhance customer experience.

The Commercial Manager may also manage external stakeholders to ensure SSP achieves its commercial outcomes while satisfying client and partner requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and execute the commercial plan for OB propositions within Bars.
• Support the Head of Bars and Casual Dining in developing the commercial plan for specified propositions.
• Model every initiative on a product-by-product/unit-by-unit basis and forecast outcomes.
• Submit proposed sales and gross margin improvement activities for approval at trade and commercial forum meetings.
• Prepare proposition/menu briefs based on customer and commercial opportunities.
• Work closely with marketing services, including NPD, creative design, marketing planning, and brand development.
• Oversee successful implementation of signed-off activities through operational teams.
• Report results at trade and commercial forum meetings, assessing forecasts and making necessary adjustments.
• Manage the commercial setup for new openings, including range, pricing, and POS.
• Monitor competitor and brand partner activity, along with customer and market trends.
• Spend time in the field monthly to observe and support implementation in operational units.
• Manage Commercial Executives supporting the implementation of the commercial plan.
• Seek ways to optimise results and remain competitive.

To be successful in this role you will need:

Essential:

• Experience in using price, range, display, space, upselling, margin, and category optimisation to deliver commercial results.
• Experience in delivering profit targets preferred; experience in a sales environment is also desirable.
• Able to drive decision-making through analysis and evidence.
• Experience in drawing out business insights from analysis and presenting findings persuasively.
• Ability to develop innovative ideas to drive top and bottom line, testing and refining them for operationalisation.
• Excellent organisational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience managing and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing client relationships.
• Excellent knowledge of external trends in the food and beverage industry.
• Good understanding of the impact of external factors on growth.
• Understanding of operational realities, including waste management and labour planning.
• Analytical and commercial mindset.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Data-driven approach.
• Ability to focus on the most profitable outcomes.
• Innovative and bold, able to challenge the status quo.
• Ability to build and work to a solid plan while adapting to changes for quick wins.

SSP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.