Head of Export

Heler Foods; Nantwich; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Heler Foods, a UK-based producer of award-winning cheeses, seeks a commercially driven Head of Export to lead and grow its international business from Nantwich. Reporting to the Sales & Marketing Director, you will shape export strategy, expand markets and build profitable customer relationships.

You will lead a team, manage pricing, contracts and product mix, and ensure compliant, efficient export operations across the globe.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in international sales, export management, account management or commercial leadership, ideally within food and drink or a regulated sector.
• Proven track record of delivering sales growth and commercial targets, with understanding of revenue, margin management, forecasting and customer profitability.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing a team, setting clear expectations and creating accountability.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end export operations, including shipping documentation, customs, regulatory requirements and international customer needs.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills with senior customers and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead international growth: develop and deliver export sales strategy, annual plan and budget.
• Build valuable partnerships with international customers and distributors, negotiating pricing and contracts.
• Identify new markets, customers and product opportunities using market data to drive growth.
• Lead and develop the International Sales Manager and Export Coordinator.
• Oversee end-to-end export process including forecasting, order fulfilment and logistics.

Skills

International sales

Export management

Team leadership

Negotiation

Forecasting

Analytical skills

Customer profitability

Excel

Education

Business/Commercial Management degree

Tools

ERP systems

CRM systems

Forecasting tools

BI systems

Job description

CHEESEMAKERS. FUTURE SHAPERS. CHANGEMAKERS.

At Heler Foods, our people are part of our extended Heler Family — the driving force behind everything we do. From crafting award-winning cheeses to delivering service that sets new standards, we work together to shape the future of food.

Rooted in tradition and growing into the future, we’re bold, ambitious and proud of where we’re going next.

Every colleague has a voice here — and every step you take helps move us forward.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We’re looking for a commercially driven, strategically minded Head of Export to lead and grow our international business.

Reporting to the Sales & Marketing Director, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping our export strategy, developing international markets and building profitable, sustainable customer relationships. You’ll lead our export function, manage a dedicated team and work closely with colleagues across Commercial, Planning, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Technical and Finance to turn ambitious plans into successful delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced export or international sales professional to make a significant impact, unlock new opportunities and help shape the future of Heler Foods on the global stage.

In this role, you will:

• Lead international growth: Develop and deliver the export sales strategy, annual plan and budget, driving revenue, volume, profitability and growth across existing and new markets.
• Build valuable partnerships: Develop strong relationships with key international customers, distributors and commercial partners, leading negotiations on pricing, contracts, product mix and service requirements.
• Turn opportunities into results: Identify new markets, customers and product opportunities, using commercial insight, market knowledge and performance data to drive sustainable growth.
• Lead and develop your team: Provide clear direction, set objectives and build the capability of the International Sales Manager and Export Coordinator, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous development.
• Deliver an excellent export service: Oversee the end-to-end export process, ensuring accurate forecasting, reliable order fulfilment, effective logistics and timely deliveries.
• Champion compliance and control: Ensure export documentation, customs requirements, veterinary checks and market-specific regulations are managed accurately and effectively.
• Drive commercial performance: Monitor sales, margins, customer profitability, forecasts and working capital, taking decisive action to address risks and keep performance on track.
• Make things better: Challenge existing processes, improve ways of working and work cross-functionally to strengthen efficiency, customer service and business performance.

You’ll be joining a workplace where collaboration and curiosity are encouraged. Where questioning “how it’s always been done” is part of daily life. And where discovering better ways of working is simply what we do.

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for a commercially astute and ambitious leader who combines strategic thinking with a practical, hands‑on approach. You’ll understand how to turn international growth opportunities into profitable results, build trusted customer relationships and bring people together to deliver shared goals.

You’ll bring:

• Substantial experience in international sales, export management, account management or commercial leadership, ideally within food and drink or another regulated product sector.
• A proven track record of delivering sales growth and commercial targets, with strong understanding of revenue, margin management, forecasting and customer profitability.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing a team, setting clear expectations and creating accountability.
• A strong understanding of end‑to‑end export operations, including shipping documentation, customs, regulatory requirements and international customer needs.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills, with the confidence to engage with senior customers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret performance data, identify opportunities and make commercially sound decisions.
• Excellent organisation, communication and problem‑solving skills, with the resilience to manage competing priorities and resolve complex issues.
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel and business systems to support forecasting, reporting and commercial decision‑making.
• Flexibility to travel within the UK and internationally as required.

It would be an advantage if you also have:

• Experience exporting products of animal origin, including export health certificates, veterinary checks and market‑specific requirements.
• Experience working with international distributors, agents, retailers, foodservice or manufacturing customers.
• Knowledge of ERP, CRM, forecasting or business intelligence systems.
• A relevant qualification in business, commercial management or international trade.
• Additional language skills relevant to our export markets.

Above all, you’ll demonstrate behaviours aligned to our values: Be Better, Be Collaborative, Be Inquisitive, Be Yourself and Take Ownership.

You’ll be someone who sets a clear direction, builds confidence in others, challenges the status quo and takes pride in delivering results.

We help our people become the best versions of themselves, take pride in what they do and bring out the strength in others. If that excites you — you’ll fit right in here.

WHY JOIN HELER FOODS?

Because we don’t just offer jobs — we shape careers.

This is your opportunity to influence our international growth, develop talented people and help shape the next chapter of an ambitious food business.

Whether you’re bringing fresh ideas, established commercial expertise or a passion for opening new markets, we’ll give you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Here, you’ll find:

• The opportunity to make an impact – play a key role in shaping our export strategy and international growth.
• Leadership and development – build your team, develop talent and help others reach their potential.
• A collaborative culture – work across the business to turn ideas into action.
• A focus on continuous improvement – challenge established ways of working and make a real difference.
• Room to grow – contribute to the wider commercial strategy and help shape the future of Heler Foods.

This is a place where you’ll feel empowered to make a change — and confident to take bold steps.

JOIN THE EXTENDED HELER FAMILY

If you’re ready to lead our export ambitions, build lasting international partnerships and help us shape the future of Heler Foods, we’d love to hear from you.

You can learn more about who we are, what we stand for and where we’re going at:

Heler Foods: Rooted in tradition. Growing into the future.