Commercial Trading Manager

Zest; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest, a well established fresh produce business, is recruiting a driven Fresh Produce specialist to join a high-impact commercial/trading role. Working directly with the CEO, you’ll own buying, selling, pricing and margin across wholesale, foodservice, export and independent channels.

You will shape commercial direction in a fast-paced, market-led environment, build supplier and grower partnerships, manage stock risk, and drive growth while maintaining governance and reporting.

Qualifications

• 2-3+ years' experience buying, selling or trading fresh produce (or short shelf-life FMCG).
• Strong commercial judgement and trading instinct.
• Experience supplying wholesale and/or foodservice customers.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, margin-driven environments.
• Confident working with pricing, costings and financial data.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of daily buying and selling activity across channels.
• Set and adjust pricing in line with live market conditions and margin targets.
• Deliver and protect gross margin performance and manage stock risk.
• Align supply with customer demand to optimise returns and expand product listings.

Skills

Trading experience

Commercial judgement

Pricing & margin

Wholesale/foodservice experience

Analytical ability

Tools

Excel

Job description

A super opportunity to join this well established fresh produce business that is looking to recruit a driven, commercially minded Fresh Produce specialist to step into this high-impact, newly created commercial / trading role.

If you have experience buying, selling or trading fresh produce - and you thrive in the fast-moving, world of fresh - this could be your ideal next role.

Working directly with the CEO, you will sit at the heart of the non-retail function with real ownership, real accountability and a clear pathway to accelerate your career.

You will take responsibility for buying, selling, pricing and margin delivery across wholesale, foodservice, export and independent channels - shaping commercial direction while operating in a dynamic, market-led environment.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Trading:

• Take ownership of daily buying and selling activity
• Set and adjust pricing in line with live market conditions
• Deliver and protect gross margin performance
• Manage stock risk and short shelf-life exposure
• Align supply with customer demand to optimise returns

Business Development:

• Drive growth across wholesale, foodservice and independent accounts
• Identify and secure new non-retail opportunities
• Expand product listings and introduce commercially viable new formats
• Support export market development where appropriate

Supplier & Grower Partnerships:

• Build strong, performance-driven supplier relationships
• Coordinate supply programmes aligned to trading strategy
• Monitor quality, availability and commercial performance
• Contribute to category growth initiatives

Forecasting & Risk Management:

• Maintain forward visibility on volumes and margin
• Anticipate volatility, shortages and oversupply risks
• Work cross-functionally to safeguard service and profitability

Commercial Governance:

• Maintain accurate reporting on trading activity and margin
• Participate in weekly performance reviews
• Conduct regular customer engagement
• Support working capital control and debtor management

What We're Looking For:

Essential

• 2-3+ years' experience buying, selling or trading fresh produce (or short shelf-life FMCG)
• Strong commercial judgement and natural trading instinct
• Experience supplying wholesale and/or foodservice customers
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, margin-driven environments
• Confident working with pricing, costings and financial data

Desirable:

• Established network within non-retail fresh produce markets
• Experience across fruit, vegetables or specialist categories
• Strong analytical capability
• Willingness to travel when required

You will have the autonomy to make trading decisions, develop new revenue streams and directly impact business performance - while working with the CEO in a growing, ambitious business.

As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website (url removed)