The Oval Partnership is working with an established and successful business operating within the UK food manufacturing supply chain to recruit an ambitious and commercially astute Commercial Manager.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys winning new business, developing long-standing customer relationships and identifying opportunities for profitable growth.

We're looking for a commercially minded individual who combines the drive to open new doors with the relationship-building skills needed to develop and retain key accounts.

You'll be joining a business with a strong industry presence, an established customer base and genuine opportunities for further growth. It's a role that offers the chance to take ownership, influence commercial direction and see the results of your efforts.

The Opportunity

Working across a diverse portfolio of B2B food industry customers, you'll play a key role in developing new business opportunities whilst strengthening existing commercial relationships.

This is a hands-on, externally focused position where you'll be encouraged to identify opportunities, build relationships and turn commercial conversations into successful, long-term partnerships.

You'll work closely with colleagues across Operations, Technical, Procurement and Finance to ensure customer requirements are understood, commercial opportunities are viable and the business continues to deliver excellent service.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Identifying, developing and securing new business opportunities across the food manufacturing and wider food supply sector.

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key customers, developing accounts and identifying opportunities for additional business.

• Creating and managing a healthy pipeline of prospective customers and commercial opportunities.

• Leading customer negotiations, pricing discussions, tenders and contract renewals.

• Developing commercial proposals that balance customer requirements, profitability and operational capabilities.

• Working collaboratively with internal teams to ensure new business opportunities are successfully delivered.

• Monitoring market developments, customer requirements and competitor activity to identify opportunities for growth.

• Taking ownership of account performance, revenue development, margins and commercial forecasting.

• Representing the business professionally through customer meetings, site visits and industry events.

About You

We're keen to speak with experienced commercial professionals who understand the food industry and enjoy the challenge of developing business.

You may already be working as a Commercial Manager, National Account Manager, Business Development Manager or Senior Account Manager and be looking for an opportunity to take on broader commercial responsibility.

What matters most is your ability to recognise opportunities, develop relationships and convert them into profitable business.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• A successful track record in B2B sales, business development or commercial account management within the food industry.

• Experience of winning new customers and developing existing accounts.

• Strong commercial awareness, particularly around pricing, profitability, negotiations and contracts.

• The confidence to engage with customers at different levels, including Procurement, Technical, Operations and senior management.

• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the ability to manage your own commercial priorities.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills.

• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across different business functions.

• A willingness to travel for customer meetings and industry events.

Experience of working with food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers or businesses supplying the wider food manufacturing sector would be particularly relevant.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a role for someone who wants to do more than simply manage an existing customer portfolio.

You'll have the opportunity to develop new business, build meaningful commercial relationships and contribute directly to the company's future growth.

With an established business behind you and the scope to influence commercial activity, this position offers an attractive combination of responsibility, variety and opportunity.

For an ambitious commercial professional who enjoys being close to customers, understands the food industry and takes pride in delivering results, this could be an excellent next career move.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you're an experienced food industry commercial professional looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference, we'd welcome a conversation.

For further information on this exciting opportunity or a confidential discussion, please get in touch or apply with your CV today.