Retail Commercial Leader: Strategy, Growth & Partnerships

Anthony Gregg Partnership | Retail and Consumer Executive Search Specialists; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Head of Commercial Operations will lead the commercial strategy for the retail business, driving sales, margin and profitable growth through a strong customer proposition and effective trading activity.

Reporting into senior leadership, you will align with central buying and trading teams to optimise range, pricing and promotions, develop strategic supplier partnerships and lead a high‑performing commercial team to deliver measurable results.

Qualifications

• Significant commercial experience within a retail, wholesale or buying group environment.
• You must have proven experience working within a central buying function, with an understanding of how central buying teams develop and implement commercial strategies across a wider retail network or membership.
• Strong understanding of retail proposition development, trading and commercial strategy, with the ability to translate central plans into compelling retail offers.
• Proven experience managing and developing strategic supplier relationships, including joint business planning, supplier investment and commercial negotiations.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with a track record of delivering measurable sales, margin and income growth.
• Experience developing and implementing retail programmes, promotional strategies, range frameworks or other centrally-led commercial initiatives.
• Experience influencing and engaging independent retailers, members, franchisees or multiple retail locations, rather than relying solely on direct operational control.
• Strong influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with credibility at senior and Board level.
• Analytical and commercially minded, with the ability to use performance data and insight to drive decision making.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to work cross-functionally across Buying, Trading, Marketing and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the overall commercial strategy across the retail business.
• Own and continuously evolve the retail proposition, identifying opportunities to improve customer offer, sales and profitability.
• Work closely with central buying and trading teams to align commercial strategy, range development and supplier activity.
• Lead commercial relationships with key suppliers, developing strategic partnerships, joint business plans and opportunities for supplier investment.
• Drive trading performance across range, pricing, promotions and promotional effectiveness.
• Identify new commercial opportunities and develop propositions that generate incremental sales, margin and income.
• Use customer, market and trading insight to shape category and proposition strategy.
• Work closely with Buying, Marketing, Operations and Finance to ensure commercial plans are aligned and effectively executed.
• Develop clear commercial plans and performance measures, using data and insight to drive decision making.
• Build strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders and external supplier partners.
• Lead, develop and motivate the commercial team, creating a culture of accountability and high performance.

Job description

The Head of Commercial Operations will lead the commercial strategy for the retail business, driving sales, margin and profitable growth through a strong customer proposition and effective trading activity.

Reporting into senior leadership, you will align with central buying and trading teams to optimise range, pricing and promotions, develop strategic supplier partnerships and lead a high‑performing commercial team to deliver measurable results.