Commercial Manager

Alexander Steele Recruitment; Stoke-on-Trent; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Pension scheme

Holiday entitlement

Hybrid working

International travel

Job summary

Alexander Steele Recruitment is seeking a Commercial Manager for a growing international food business with a diverse portfolio across Foodservice and Manufacturing. You will own key national accounts, balancing 70% account management with 30% new business, interfacing with UK customers and European manufacturing partners.

The role reports to the Foodservice Sales Director and offers autonomy, international exposure, and clear career progression within a dynamic FMCG environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Commercial Manager or National Account Manager role in FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of the UK Foodservice market.
• Experience with chilled and/or frozen categories or ambient considered.
• Proven track record of growing key customer relationships.
• Excellent commercial negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive approach to identify and convert opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key foodservice and manufacturing accounts.
• Lead commercial negotiations and customer reviews.
• Forecasting and budgeting for tenders and accounts.
• Work cross-functionally on New Product Development (NPD) projects.
• Support demand planning and stock forecasting.
• Build strong relationships across customer and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Account management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

FMCG

UK Foodservice

Job description

Commercial Manager – Foodservice & Manufacturing

Salary: Up to £65,000 + £6,000 Car Allowance + 50% Bonus + Benefits

Are you a Commercial Manager or National Account Manager looking for an opportunity to take ownership of a diverse customer portfolio within a growing international food business?

We're partnering with an established FMCG business that represents leading European food manufacturers across the UK market. Due to continued growth, they're looking to appoint a Commercial Manager to develop existing partnerships whilst identifying new business opportunities across both the Foodservice and Manufacturing sectors.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a business with ambitious growth plans, offering genuine autonomy, international exposure and long-term career progression.

The Role

Reporting to the Foodservice Sales Director, you'll be responsible for managing and developing a portfolio of key national accounts across foodservice and manufacturing.

The role offers a healthy mix of relationship management and commercial development, with approximately 70% account management and 30% new business.

You'll work closely with both UK customers and European manufacturing partners, ensuring commercial success from tender stage through to product launch, forecasting and ongoing account growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key foodservice and manufacturing accounts.
• Develop long-term commercial partnerships with customers and manufacturing partners.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities.
• Lead commercial negotiations and customer reviews.
• Manage tenders, forecasting and budgeting.
• Work cross-functionally on New Product Development (NPD) projects.
• Support demand planning and stock forecasting.
• Build strong relationships across both customer and manufacturing teams.

About You

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Experience in a Commercial Manager, National Account Manager or similar commercial role within FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of the UK Foodservice market.
• Experience within chilled and/or frozen food categories. Ambient can be considered.
• A proven track record of managing and growing key customer relationships.
• Excellent commercial negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive approach with the ability to identify and convert new opportunities.
• A private label background would be highly advantageous.

What's on Offer

• Salary up to £65,000 (Can go to £70,000 for an exceptional candidate)
• 50% Performance Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays
• Hybrid Working (3–4 days office based)
• International travel across Europe (approximately 12–15 trips per year)
• Genuine career progression within a growing commercial business

If you're looking for an opportunity to work across both Foodservice and Manufacturing whilst partnering with leading European food manufacturers, we'd love to hear from you.