National Account Manager / Commercial Manager – Food Service (Wholesale)

Job Title:  Commercial Manager – Food Service (Wholesale)

Reports to: Senior Commercial Manager – Wholesale

Are you a seasoned sales professional with a passion for driving growth in the food service industry? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, managing key accounts, and devising strategies to exceed targets? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

The Compleat Food Group are a leading player in the UK wholesale food service sector, committed to delivering exceptional value, quality, and innovation to our wide ranging customers. As part of our growth journey, we’re looking for a talented Commercial Manager to work within a vital function of our Food Service business. 

What you will be doing: 

As the Commercial Manager, you’ll be working at the heart of our food service function, ensuring that the total trade channel sales and margin mix are in line with business strategy,  by managing our designated portfolio of food service accounts professionally, effectively and with innovation.

• Strategic Growth: Drive market share and value within your accounts, aligning efforts with the overall commercial strategy.
• Account Development: Collaborate with the Senior Commercial Manager to retain profitable customers while identifying and pursuing new opportunities.
• Product Focus: Champion our branded product range, ensuring full distribution while carefully evaluating bespoke private label opportunities.
• Promotions & Margins: Manage promotional activities that enhance growth without compromising profitability.
• Forecasting & Reporting: Deliver accurate sales forecasts, continuously refining accuracy to inform business decisions.
• Category Reviews: Regularly assess and refine product portfolios to eliminate under performing SKUs and maintain strong margins.
• Profitability: Implement price increases where necessary to protect and grow the bottom line.
• Debt Control: Ensure outstanding debts are managed effectively to minimize risk.
• Performance Reviews: Present monthly updates on sales performance, highlighting actions to address any under performance.

Who we are looking for:

We’re seeking a results-driven Commercial Sales professional with:

• Proven Expertise: Prior experience in the food service trade channel and a strong network of industry contacts.
• Sales Acumen: Exceptional customer service, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Technical Know-How: A solid understanding of food products and production processes.
• Tech Savvy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
• Organisational Excellence: Stellar organisation, communication, and strategic planning skills.
• Team Orientated: Capable and happy to contribute and work positively as part of a high performing sales team.
• A proven relationship builder with a strong industry network.
• Entrepreneurial drive with significant levels of energy and passion.
• Determined, resilient and comfortable working at pace in a commercial food service environment
• Driving Licence and Flexibility to travel to customers across the UK
• Food Service Wholesale experience is a must – dealing with the large Food Service business’s and also independent wholesalers.

• Ideally you will also have:

  • Experience of working within frozen products
  • Experience of category management/operations.
  • Experience of successfully managing strategic partnerships 
  • Experience of working with regular NPD 

What’s in It for You?

• Competitive salary, car allowance and performance-based bonus
• Structured career progression, with ample future career opportunities in a large fast growing business
• A chance to work within an experienced, collaborative, high-performing, results focused team
• The opportunity to shape the future of a key segment of our business working with innovative products and services.

Benefits Include:

• Car Allowance
• Bonus Scheme
• 33 Days annual leave
• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Online and High-street retailer discount scheme 
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Informal and Formal training opportunities with personalised online LMS platform
• Charity Initiatives and Team events
• 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid (Free Financial, Emotional and Practical Support)
• Physical Wellbeing Benefits – Free on demand exercise hub and various gym discounts.
• Online Well being benefits
• Free Financial well being – mortgage calculators, budget tools, financial aid tools
• Holiday Discounts via Online Retail Discount

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and make a meaningful impact in the UK wholesale food service industry, we’d love to hear from you! You will join us as at a pivotal time in driving success and innovation in our food service offering. If you’re a National Account Manager ready to take a further step and make a big impact and work with an experienced passionate team, we’d love to hear from you. 

The Compleat Food Group are proud to have built an inclusive and respectful culture where our colleagues feel safe, supported and valued. A place where they can bring their whole selves to work to achieve exceptional results and thrive.

We continue to attract diverse talent into our teams, because we know greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect in all that we do. 

Recruitment Agencies: We have an active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies.