Commercial Director - Business Unit Lead

Young's Seafood; Malton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international food group seeks a Commercial Director to drive strategic growth in the UK and ROI retail sectors. This pivotal role involves leading a high-performing team, building customer partnerships, and ensuring commercial success. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the grocery retail landscape, strong leadership, and negotiation skills, with a focus on delivering P&L objectives. Join a purpose-driven organization that values innovation and ambition.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in commercial roles within FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Strong track record of building successful retailer strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end commercial strategy for the business unit.
• Develop partnerships with key UK and ROI retailers.
• Own forecasting, budgeting, and commercial planning processes.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Commercial Acumen

Job description

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The Role

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking an accomplished Commercial Director - Business Unit Lead to take ownership of one of our core retail divisions. This is a pivotal role for a commercially astute and visionary leader ready to take a high-performing team and well-established customer base to the next level.

As the leader of a significant business unit, you will be responsible for delivering strategic growth across our UK and ROI retail customers, driving commercial excellence and building robust, value-driven customer partnerships with top-tier grocers and retailers.

The Ideal Candidate

You're a proven commercial leader with deep experience in the UK grocery retail landscape. You will have:

• Significant leadership experience in commercial roles within FMCG or food manufacturing, focused on UK retailers.
• A strong track record of building and executing successful retailer strategies that drive growth and profitability.
• High-level negotiation and influencing skills, with established relationships across major UK retail accounts.
• Excellent leadership capabilities, with the ability to inspire, challenge, and grow a high-performance team.
• Commercial and financial acumen, with a focus on P/&L delivery, customer margin management, and strategic forecasting.
• A resilient, agile mindset with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Why Sofina Foods?

Sofina Foods is a leading international food group, supplying some of the UK and Europe's most recognised retailers and brands. This role offers:

• A senior leadership position with the autonomy to shape and grow a high-profile retail business unit.
• The chance to work with leading UK and ROI retailers on strategic, innovation-led partnerships.
• A business that values ambition, innovation, and customer-led growth.
• A long-term platform for impact, influence, and career progression within a purpose-driven organisation.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Your Key Responsibilities

As part of our senior leadership team, you will:

• Lead the end-to-end commercial strategy for the business unit, ensuring delivery of revenue, margin, and profit objectives.
• Develop and strengthen long-term partnerships with key UK and ROI retailers, ensuring mutual growth and commercial success.
• Inspire, lead, and develop a multi-disciplinary commercial team across sales, category, and customer marketing.
• Own forecasting, budgeting, and commercial planning processes for your business unit.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, technical, and innovation teams to deliver customer-driven solutions.
• Shape and influence customer joint business plans (JBPs) with strategic intent and commercial discipline.
• Drive customer alignment with Sofina's broader European retail growth agenda.