Interim Commercial Manager - Grocery

Zest; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established food manufacturer seeks an interim Commercial Manager to support a key retail account, M&S, during a transition period. The role involves managing daily activities, building relationships, and influencing positive change. Ideal candidates are commercially focused with significant experience in managing retail accounts, especially in food. This position offers a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact and ensure a smooth operation while shaping future commercial structures.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing major retail accounts within food.
• Confident under pressure and quick to build trust with stakeholders.
• Capable of stepping into a fast-moving environment and adding value.

Responsibilities

• Take day-to-day ownership of the M&S account and manage communication.
• Build strong relationships with retail contacts and represent the business.
• Deliver persuasive presentations tailored to customer needs.
• Partner closely with M&S on forecasts, promotional cycles, and product costings.
• Deliver joint business plans for sustainable, profitable growth.
• Lead pricing and commercial negotiations to maintain strong margins.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth execution of initiatives.

Skills

Commercial capability

Excellent communication skills

Proactive, solutions-focused approach

Job description

A well-established food manufacturer has an opportunity for an interim Commercial Manager to provide immediate support during a period of transition. This role will play a crucial part in maintaining and strengthening the relationship with a key retail partner-M&S-while the business recruits for a permanent hire. The successful candidate will ensure the account is carefully managed, communication remains seamless, and commercial activity continues to run smoothly.

This interim position offers an exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal role, safeguard an important customer relationship, and help lay the groundwork for the team's future structure and capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Take day‑to‑day ownership of the M&S account, ensuring it is fully supported and that communication is handled professionally and proactively.
• Build strong working relationships with retail contacts and represent the business with confidence and credibility.
• Deliver clear, persuasive presentations tailored to customer needs.
• Partner closely with M&S to develop accurate forecasts, plan promotional cycles, and manage product costings.
• Shape and deliver joint business plans that foster sustainable, profitable growth.
• Lead pricing and commercial negotiations, maintaining strong margins and competitive positioning.
• Work alongside the Commercial Executive to interpret category insights and market data, ensuring decisions are informed and commercially sound.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams‑including marketing, supply chain, and product development—to guarantee smooth execution of customer initiatives.

About You

This role requires a commercially focused self‑starter with proven experience managing major retail accounts within food‑ideally with prior involvement in M&S. The ideal candidate will be confident under pressure, quick to build trust with key stakeholders, and capable of stepping into a fast‑moving environment and adding value from day one.

Skills & Experience Required

• Strong commercial capability, including forecasting, cost management, and experience working with P&Ls.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence buyers and collaborate effectively with internal teams.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach and the confidence to take ownership of a high‑profile retail account.

This is a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact during a business‑critical period. The interim Commercial Manager will play an essential role in maintaining momentum with a major customer while also helping to shape the foundations of the commercial team for the future. It's a high‑profile, rewarding assignment that offers visibility, responsibility, and the chance to influence positive change.

If you are immediately available and fit the bill, please do send your CV today!

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