Commercial Manager

RND Recruitment • Stratford, CT

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Our client is a well-established UK fresh produce business supplying high-quality fruit and vegetables to wholesalers, foodservice operators and independent customers nationwide. They work closely with growers and suppliers across the UK and overseas, operating in a fast-paced, margin-sensitive environment. With a strong focus on service, product quality and long-term partnerships, the business continues to expand its non-retail footprint. A fantastic opening has arisen for an experienced Commercial Manager with a strong trading instinct and background in fresh produce or short shelf-life FMCG. This role focuses on driving profitable growth across non-retail channels — wholesale, foodservice, independent customers and export. You'll take ownership of buying, selling, margin delivery and customer development, while building strong supplier and grower relationships.

Requirements

• Strong commercial instinct and hands-on trading experience
• Background in buying and selling fresh produce or short shelf-life FMCG
• Experience in wholesale and/or foodservice channels
• Comfortable in a high-pressure, fast-moving trading environment
• Numerate and confident with pricing and margin calculations

Nice To Haves

• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Confident negotiator
• Existing wholesale or foodservice network
• Experience with exotics, fruit or vegetable categories

Responsibilities

• Actively buy and sell fresh produce across designated categories
• Make daily pricing and trading decisions aligned with market conditions
• Protect and grow gross margin performance
• Manage stock exposure and minimise waste risk
• Balance supply and demand in real time
• Develop new business across wholesale, foodservice and independent channels
• Identify opportunities for new products, formats and category expansion
• Strengthen relationships with key non-retail customers
• Support potential export opportunities
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with growers and suppliers
• Align supply programmes with trading requirements
• Provide clear feedback on quality, availability and supplier performance
• Support category development initiatives
• Maintain clear visibility of future volumes, pricing and margin
• Work closely with Procurement, Operations and Technical teams to manage risk
• Identify market risks such as gluts, shortages or logistics constraints
• Ensure accurate trading records and margin reporting
• Visit customers regularly
• Contribute to weekly trading reviews
• Support working capital discipline and debtor management

Benefits

• bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees