Job Description
An established and ambitious fresh produce business is looking to appoint a commercially astute Commercial/Trading Manager to lead performance across its non-retail channels.
This role sits at the heart of the trading function and carries full responsibility for buying, selling, margin delivery and customer growth across wholesale, foodservice, export and independent accounts.
You will play a key role in shaping commercial direction while operating in a fast-moving, market-led environment.
Key responsibility areas:
Commercial Trading
-Take full ownership of daily buying and selling activity
-Set and adjust pricing in line with live market conditions
-Deliver gross margin targets
-Actively manage stock risk and short shelf-life exposure
-Align supply with customer demand to optimise returns
Business Development
-Drive growth across wholesale, foodservice and independent channels
-Identify and secure new non-retail opportunities
-Expand product listings and introduce new formats where commercially viable
-Support development of export markets where applicable
Supplier & Grower Partnerships
-Build strong, performance-focused relationships with suppliers
-Coordinate supply programmes to meet trading requirements
-Monitor quality, availability and commercial performance
-Contribute to category development initiatives
Forecasting & Risk Management
-Maintain clear forward visibility of volumes and margin
-Work cross-functionally to safeguard service levels
-Identify market volatility, shortages or oversupply risks early
Commercial Governance
-Maintain accurate reporting on trading activity and margin
-Participate in weekly commercial performance reviews
-Conduct regular customer engagement
-Support working capital control and debtor management
Essential Experience
-Proven background in buying and selling fresh produce or other short shelf-life FMCG categories
-Strong commercial judgement with natural trading instinct
-Experience supplying wholesale and/or foodservice customers
-Comfortable operating in fast-paced, margin-driven environments
-Confident working with pricing and financial data
Desirable
-Established network within non-retail markets
-Experience across fruit, vegetables or specialist/exotic categories
-Strong analytical capability
-Willingness to travel regularly
This is a commercially significant role offering real accountability and influence. You will have the autonomy to make trading decisions, develop new revenue streams and directly impact business performance.
Ideal for a commercially ambitious trader ready to take ownership of a growing non-retail portfolio.
As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website (url removed)
This role sits at the heart of the trading function and carries full responsibility for buying, selling, margin delivery and customer growth across wholesale, foodservice, export and independent accounts.
You will play a key role in shaping commercial direction while operating in a fast-moving, market-led environment.
Key responsibility areas:
Commercial Trading
-Take full ownership of daily buying and selling activity
-Set and adjust pricing in line with live market conditions
-Deliver gross margin targets
-Actively manage stock risk and short shelf-life exposure
-Align supply with customer demand to optimise returns
Business Development
-Drive growth across wholesale, foodservice and independent channels
-Identify and secure new non-retail opportunities
-Expand product listings and introduce new formats where commercially viable
-Support development of export markets where applicable
Supplier & Grower Partnerships
-Build strong, performance-focused relationships with suppliers
-Coordinate supply programmes to meet trading requirements
-Monitor quality, availability and commercial performance
-Contribute to category development initiatives
Forecasting & Risk Management
-Maintain clear forward visibility of volumes and margin
-Work cross-functionally to safeguard service levels
-Identify market volatility, shortages or oversupply risks early
Commercial Governance
-Maintain accurate reporting on trading activity and margin
-Participate in weekly commercial performance reviews
-Conduct regular customer engagement
-Support working capital control and debtor management
Essential Experience
-Proven background in buying and selling fresh produce or other short shelf-life FMCG categories
-Strong commercial judgement with natural trading instinct
-Experience supplying wholesale and/or foodservice customers
-Comfortable operating in fast-paced, margin-driven environments
-Confident working with pricing and financial data
Desirable
-Established network within non-retail markets
-Experience across fruit, vegetables or specialist/exotic categories
-Strong analytical capability
-Willingness to travel regularly
This is a commercially significant role offering real accountability and influence. You will have the autonomy to make trading decisions, develop new revenue streams and directly impact business performance.
Ideal for a commercially ambitious trader ready to take ownership of a growing non-retail portfolio.
As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website (url removed)
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