Commercial Manager - Industrial

British Bakels; Bicester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

British Bakels is looking for a Commercial Manager to operate both autonomously and within a cross-functional team in Bicester. This role involves maintaining and growing existing business while pursuing new opportunities in the industrial ingredients and food manufacturing sectors.

The ideal candidate will have proven sales experience, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with various teams to drive successful results. A full driving license and industrial bakery experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in Sales and Account Management, preferably in an industrial bakery-facing role.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player.
• Well presented and articulate.
• Flexible and driven by results.
• Ability to work closely on projects with NPD and Technical Support Managers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, develop, and optimise sales volumes and profitability.
• Achieve sales, margin, and profitability targets for assigned customers.
• Identify, qualify, and secure new opportunities for growth.
• Build and manage short- and long-term commercial plans.
• Lead commercial elements of new product launches.

Skills

Sales and Account Management

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Effective communication

Teamwork

Education

Educated to A Level standard or above

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Commercial Manager will operate both autonomously and as part of a cross-functional commercial team, working to an agreed strategic plan alongside the Senior Commercial Manager and Commercial Director.

The role requires a proven commercial background within the industrial ingredients, food manufacturing or processing sectors, with responsibility for maintaining and growing existing business while securing profitable new opportunities aligned with the company’s long-term growth strategy.

The role covers customers allocated to the job holder as well as newly identified prospects, supported by the wider commercial, technical, NPD and operational teams. Regular engagement with manufacturing sites, supply chain, technical teams and customer stakeholders is essential.

Key Areas of Responsibility

(This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to change, in consultation with the post holder, in response to new circumstances)

• Maintain, develop and optimise sales volumes, values and profitability across the existing customer base.
• Achieve sales, margin and profitability targets for assigned customers.
• Identify, qualify and secure new opportunities that deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
• Build and manage short- and long-term commercial plans aligned with annual budget targets.
• Act as the primary commercial interface, developing strong relationships across customer functions.
• Evaluate product range suitability in collaboration with the Senior Commercial Manager and Technical/NPD teams.
• Deliver customer-specific plans in line with the wider commercial strategy.
• Present customer performance, risks and opportunities internally.
• Explore immediate and long-term opportunities for value creation and innovation.
• Identify and champion NPD opportunities focused on functional benefits and differentiation.
• Lead commercial elements of new product launches and business development projects.
• Report indicators of customer success or risk, including sales trends and profitability.
• Prioritise focus based on strategic value, growth potential and volume.
• Execute pricing in line with agreed frameworks.
• Provide accurate forecasts to internal supply chain teams and external partners.
• Negotiate and manage pricing agreements, rebates and promotional support.
• Identify and pursue opportunities with new customers.
• Manage customer-level P&L performance with the Senior Commercial Manager.

Person Specification

• Proven track record in Sales and Account Management, preferably in an industrial bakery-facing role (Essential)
• Interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player (Essential)
• Well presented and articulate (Essential)
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint (Essential)
• Flexible and driven by results (Essential)
• Effective written and verbal communication at all levels, both internal and external (Essential)
• Ability to work closely on projects and innovation with NPD and Technical Support Managers in the Test Bakery / Baking Centre in Bicester (Essential)
• Full driving licence (Essential)
• Manufacturing and industrial bakery experience (Essential)

Key Competences (Qualifications & Experience)

• Educated to A Level standard or above (Desirable)
• Computer skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint (Essential)
• Sales experience within industrial markets (Essential)
• Baking experience within an industrial bakery (Desirable)
• Operational experience within industrial bakeries (Desirable)
• Technical knowledge of functional ingredients (Desirable)