Group Commercial Director

Fresh People Ltd; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A private multi-company group based in the UK is in search of a Group Commercial Director to shape and deliver its commercial strategy across various businesses. The role involves building relationships with UK retailers, leading high-value negotiations, and driving sustainable growth. Candidates should possess substantial experience in senior commercial leadership roles, ideally with a background in operational, infrastructure, or similar sectors. This board-level position offers genuine influence across multiple sectors.

Benefits

Genuine influence across diverse businesses

Opportunity to shape long-term strategy

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Group Commercial Director or equivalent senior commercial leadership role.
• Demonstrable board-level influence over senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing multi-site or multi-business portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the Group commercial strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with UK retailers and strategic customers.
• Lead high-value commercial negotiations.

Skills

Strong financial and strategic capability

Ability to influence senior stakeholders

Building and managing relationships with UK retailers

Leading complex commercial negotiations

Job description

Group Commercial Director

Fresh People are supporting a privately owned, multi-company group operating across environmental services, infrastructure, and operational sectors on the appointment of a Group Commercial Director.

This is a board-level role with responsibility for shaping and delivering the Group-wide commercial strategy across a portfolio of circa 10 operating companies. The focus of the role is on driving sustainable growth, strengthening long-term customer partnerships, and building senior relationships with UK retailers and major national customers.

The successful candidate will operate at executive level, working closely with the Group CEO, Board, and Managing Directors across the businesses to ensure commercial alignment, consistency, and performance.

Role Overview

• Define and lead the Group commercial strategy aligned to long-term growth objectives
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with UK retailers and strategic customers
• Act as executive sponsor for key accounts and major contractual relationships
• Lead high-value commercial negotiations and long-term agreements
• Identify new growth opportunities and cross-group collaboration
• Drive pricing strategy, margin optimisation, and commercial governance
• Provide oversight and challenge to operating company commercial plans
• Contribute fully at board level to strategic decision-making

About You

• Proven experience operating at Group Commercial Director, Commercial Director, or equivalent senior commercial leadership level
• Demonstrable board-level experience and ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Strong track record of building and managing relationships with UK retailers or large national customers
• Experience leading complex commercial negotiations and multi-site or multi-business portfolios
• Commercially astute with strong financial and strategic capability
• Background in operational, infrastructure, environmental, logistics, manufacturing, or similar sectors is advantageous

Whats on Offer

• Board-level role with genuine influence across a diverse group of businesses
• Opportunity to shape long-term commercial strategy and customer relationships

If you have the experience to operate at this level and would like to be considered, please apply in confidence or contact Fresh People directly for a confidential discussion.