Commercial Manager (Full-Time)

Iberica Food; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A food importing company in the UK is looking for a Commercial Manager to lead its commercial strategy, improve profitability, and manage supplier negotiations. Candidates should have significant experience in the food/FMCG industry and a strong financial acumen. The role offers a salary of £35,000 – £40,000 base, performance bonus, and clear progression to Head of Commercial within 18–24 months.

Benefits

Performance bonus up to 15%

Training and development budget

Staff discount

Free parking

Team meals

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the food/FMCG industry managing wholesale accounts.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with a track record of improving profitability.
• Experience leading, managing, and mentoring a sales team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial strategy to improve profitability and support growth.
• Manage key food industry accounts and build strategic client relationships.
• Act as second-in-command in the absence of senior management.

Skills

Financial acumen

Negotiation skills

Sales management

Market analysis

Job description

Company

Iberica Food is a fast-growing importer and distributor of authentic Spanish and Mediterranean food in the UK. We work with over 50 family-run suppliers and sell through wholesale, retail, and online channels.

The Role

We are seeking a Commercial Managerto lead our commercial strategy, improve profitability, and support company-wide growth. This senior role combines revenue accountability with margin management, supplier negotiations, product promotion, and cross-department leadership. The successful candidate will also act as Deputy General Manager, stepping in to manage the business when required.

You will report directly to the Directorand provide regular performance updates to the senior management team.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Profitability

• Define annual sales and profitability objectivesin collaboration with the Director.
• Develop pricing and margin strategies to maximise profitability.
• Lead supplier negotiations to secure competitive terms.
• Monitor and analyse sales and cost data, producing profitability reports for senior management.
• Drive cost-optimisation projects across purchasing and supplier relationships.

Sales, Business Development & Product Promotion

• Take full responsibility for delivering overall company revenueacross wholesale (B2B) and online (B2C) channels.
• Directly manage the sales representatives, ensuring pipeline discipline, accountability, and performance improvement.
• Manage key food industry accounts while building strategic client relationships.
• Plan and deliver product promotion campaignsto grow sales across wholesale, marketplaces, and online platforms.
• Identify and develop new market opportunities.
• Ensure the sales team achieves defined targets consistently.

Leadership & Deputy Management

• Act as second-in-commandin the absence of the Director or Head of Operations.
• Lead, manage, and develop the sales and marketing team, setting clear targets and conducting regular performance reviews.
• Contribute to strategic planning and execution alongside the Director and Head of Operations.
• Ensure effective cross-department communication so sales, customer service, and operations remain aligned.

Customer & Market Support

• Work with the Head of Operations to ensure operational reliability supports client needs (OTIF, stock availability).
• Safeguard client relationships during disputes or operational challenges.
• Represent Ibérica Food at trade shows, events, and with key stakeholders.

Measures of Performance

• Overall company revenue and Gross Profit (GP) targets met, with sustainable year-on-year growth.
• Improved profit marginsthrough effective pricing, supplier negotiations, and cost control.
• Year-to-date sales growthaligned with company targets.
• Product promotion campaignsdelivered across B2B and B2C channels, with measurable sales impact.
• Customer retention ratesmaintained and improved through strong account management.
• New wholesale accounts onboardedand actively developed.
• New supplier partnershipsestablished where commercially beneficial.
• Orders delivered On-Time In-Full (OTIF)to support sales and customer satisfaction (in collaboration with Head of Ops).
• Stock availability maintainedfor top-selling SKUs to ensure smooth sales execution (monitored with Head of Ops).
• Timely and effective communicationwith sales and customer service teams regarding pricing, lead times, promotions, and market updates.
• Accurate and regular reportingto the Director on sales, profitability, and performance against KPIs.
• Sales team performancemanaged effectively, with clear accountability for targets, activity, and client outcomes.

What’s on Offer

• Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 base (depending on experience)
• Performance Bonus: Up to 15% of base salary, linked to EBITDA, profitability, and KPIs
• Contract: Full-time, permanent
• Holidays: 20 days + 8 bank holidays
• Benefits:
• Training and development budget
• Staff discount, pension, free parking
• Staff tastings and team meals
• Start Date: ASAP
• Progression Path: Clear route to Head of Commercial / Deputy GM within 18–24 months, based on performance and company growth

About You

This is a senior role requiring proven industry experience. Please only apply if you meet the following:

• Significant experience in the food/FMCG industry managing wholesale accounts (essential).
• Strong financial and commercial acumen (pricing, margins, supplier negotiations).
• Proven track record of improving profitability and delivering revenue growth.
• Experience leading, managing, and mentoring a sales team.
• Comfortable stepping into wider General Management responsibilities when required.
• Knowledge of both traditional marketing (trade shows, promotions)and digital marketing (SEO, paid ads, social campaigns).
• Experience planning and executing product promotionsacross B2B and B2C channels.
• Willingness to travel nationally to meet key clients, attend trade shows, and support business development.
• Hands-on, flexible, and motivated to thrive in a growing SME environment.
• Driving licence and own transport required.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of sufficient applications for this position.

No terminology in the advert you have seen is intended to discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, and we will gladly accept applications from all sections of the community. We have an equality, diversity, and inclusion policy that supports this approach.