Head of Operations

Embed Talent; Potters Bar; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Autonomy

Job summary

Embed Talent is seeking an experienced Head of Commercial with strong FMCG sales leadership to drive profitable growth and develop people across the business. The role sits in a fast-moving FMCG environment and requires balancing operational excellence with strategic commercial oversight.

You will oversee multiple functions, shape company strategy with the leadership team and ensure collaboration between sales, operations, supply chain and finance to deliver sustainable revenue, margin and

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing managers and teams across the business
• Creating a high-performance culture built around accountability, ownership and measurable results
• Working closely with the sales function to support revenue growth, customer retention and new business opportunities
• Using FMCG sales experience to bring a customer and commercial perspective to operational decision-making
• Improving collaboration between sales, operations, supply chain, finance and other functions
• Building KPI dashboards and meaningful management reporting across both operational and commercial performance
• Leading operational improvement projects and business change initiatives
• Supporting the senior leadership team in developing and delivering the company’s long‑term growth strategy

Job description

Head of Commercial – FMCG Experience Essential

Competitive Salary + Performance Bonus

Are you an experienced operational leader with a strong FMCG sales background, who knows how to develop people, improve performance and drive profitable growth?

This established FMCG business is one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of international food brands, supplying retailers, wholesalers and foodservice customers across the UK.

As the business continues to grow, we’re investing in our people, systems and processes and are looking for an exceptional Head of Commercial to join the senior leadership team.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who combine strong operational leadership with proven FMCG sales experience. You’ll understand not only how to build an efficient operation, but also what customers need, how commercial teams operate and how the wider business needs to perform to deliver sustainable sales growth.

About the Role

This is a hands‑on senior leadership position with responsibility for improving operational performance while maintaining a strong commercial and customer focus.

You’ll oversee multiple functions, develop managers, establish greater accountability and implement the systems, processes and reporting required to support the company’s next phase of growth.

Working closely with the Director and senior leadership team, you’ll help shape company strategy and ensure that operations, sales and commercial priorities work together effectively.

Your FMCG sales experience will be particularly valuable in helping the business understand customer requirements, identify commercial opportunities and ensure operational decisions support revenue, margin and customer service.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading, coaching and developing managers and teams across the business
• Creating a high-performance culture built around accountability, ownership and measurable results
• Working closely with the sales function to support revenue growth, customer retention and new business opportunities
• Using your FMCG sales experience to bring a strong customer and commercial perspective to operational decision-making
• Improving collaboration between sales, operations, supply chain, finance and other functions
• Improving operational efficiency, service levels and business performanceStrengthening financial controls, including cash flow, credit management, margins and operational costs
• Developing and implementing SOPs, training programmes and operational documentation
• Building KPI dashboards and meaningful management reporting across both operational and commercial performance
• Leading operational improvement projects and business change initiatives
• Supporting the senior leadership team in developing and delivering the company’s long‑term growth strategy

About You

We’re looking for a commercially minded operational leader who understands the fast‑moving nature of the FMCG sector and can combine strong people leadership with genuine sales and customer experience.

FMCG sales experience will be a key factor in our selection process.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Proven sales experience within FMCG, food, beverage or a closely related consumer‑goods environment
• A strong understanding of selling to retailers, wholesalers, distributors and/or foodservice customers
• Demonstrable experience of delivering against sales, revenue, margin or commercial targets
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing high‑performing teams
• Experience managing multiple operational or commercial functions within a growing business
• A strong understanding of the relationship between sales, stock, supply chain, customer service, margin and cash flow
• Strong commercial awareness and financial understanding
• A track record of implementing process improvements and successfully driving change
• Experience creating SOPs, reporting frameworks, KPIs and management dashboards
• The confidence to make decisions, challenge constructively and take ownership
• A practical, hands‑on leadership style and the ability to move comfortably between strategic priorities and day‑to‑day execution

Experience within food distribution, importing, wholesale or branded FMCG would be particularly advantageous.

What We Offer

• Performance‑related bonus
• Significant autonomy and responsibility
• The opportunity to influence both operational and commercial strategy
• A genuine opportunity to shape how a growing FMCG business operates
• A key position within the senior leadership team with the ability to make a lasting impact

If you’re an experienced leader who combines operational excellence with a strong FMCG sales background, and you’re looking for an opportunity where you can directly influence people, performance and growth, we’d love to hear from you.