Interim Commercial Manager - Grocery

Zest Recruitment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer is seeking an interim Commercial Manager to support key retail partnerships during a transition period. The successful candidate will manage the M&S account, ensuring proactive communication and strong commercial relationships. This role requires strong commercial skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Immediate availability is crucial for this high-profile opportunity that promises significant impact and visibility.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing major retail accounts in food, ideally with M&S.
• Confidence under pressure and ability to build trust with stakeholders.
• Quick to add value in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the M&S account and ensure seamless communication.
• Build strong relationships with retail contacts and represent the business.
• Deliver tailored presentations to meet customer needs.
• Develop accurate forecasts and manage promotional planning.
• Lead pricing negotiations while maintaining competitive positioning.
• Collaborate with marketing, supply chain, and product development.

Skills

Strong 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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