Commercial Manager - Fresh Produce

Commercial Manager – Fresh Produce (Non‑Retail Channels)

Location: Stratford upon Avon

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full‑time

Working pattern: Site‑based with travel to customers

Pay: £ + bonus

About the Company

Our client is a well‑established UK fresh produce business supplying high‑quality fruit and vegetables to wholesalers, foodservice operators and independent customers nationwide. Company 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.

The Opportunity

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.

Key Responsibilities

1. Trading & Margin Ownership

• 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

2. Channel Growth – Non‑Retail

• 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

3. Supplier & Source Management

• 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

4. Forecasting & Risk Control

• 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

5. Commercial Discipline

• Ensure accurate trading records and margin reporting
• Visit customers regularly
• Contribute to weekly trading reviews
• Support working capital discipline and debtor management

Key Requirements

Essential

• 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

Desirable

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

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