Commercial Director - Food Retail

Up to £130,000 | London or Home Counties | Hybrid

About the Role

An ambitious, fast-growing food business is looking for an experienced commercial leader to spearhead its next phase of international retail expansion. With products already stocked by major supermarkets, the brand is entering a pivotal stage of growth across the UK and continental Europe.

This is a high-impact, senior position offering the chance to shape commercial strategy, build strong partnerships with leading retailers, and lead a growing international sales team. The ideal candidate will bring a mix of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a proven track record of delivering results in fast-paced FMCG environments.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and lead the commercial strategy for retail growth across the UK, France, Spain, and wider European markets.Manage and expand partnerships with major retailers (e.g. Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Carrefour, Monoprix).Oversee sell-in and sell-out activities, including promotions, product launches, and in-store execution.Define pricing and margin strategies aligned with company objectives.Build and lead a high-performing commercial team across multiple geographies.Manage distributor and wholesale relationships to extend market reach.Collaborate closely with internal teams including Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Quality.Monitor sales performance, analyse key metrics, and take corrective action where needed.Represent the business externally at trade events and buyer meetings, strengthening market presence.

The right person

A senior commercial professional with 15+ years of FMCG experience, ideally in food or world food categories.Strong UK and European retail exposure, with a successful track record of delivering profitable growth.Experience managing both direct retail accounts and indirect distributor channels.Demonstrated leadership experience across international teams.Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to balance strategy and execution.Highly credible and influential at retail buyer level.Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.Fluent in English and French (required).Confident, collaborative communicator with a hands-on approach and clear sense of ownership.

Location: London or nearby (Home Counties), with flexibility for European travel.