Commercial Director - Food Production

Pure Executive are delighted to be working in exclusive partnership with Place UK to appoint a new Commercial Director. Having built a solid reputation over the last 65 years as one of Britain’s leading fruit growers and suppliers of IQF produce, Place UK is a privately owned company that has grown organically and through acquisition. Focusing on continued growth and innovation, the owners continue to invest in the business for the long-term and are looking to recruit this key leadership role to drive the commercial sales and marketing strategy forward to generate sustainable, profitable growth. As a manufacturer, retail and food service business, they employ up to 630 individuals internationally recognised for their quality, reliability and flexibility. Working as part of the leadership team, the focus is as much on creating an engaged, high performing team environment where people are valued and looked after, as it is driving commercial success. They invest in the development of their people and continually work hard on employee engagement initiatives, and industry leading customer service. Working closely with the Managing Director, the focus will be developing and delivering strategy for sales growth, managing the day-to-day commercial activities including business development and digital marketing, whilst leading and developing a multi-function team.
You will:
- Be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing commercial strategies in accordance with company goals and objectives aiming to accelerate growth.
- Produce the annual sales & marketing budgets and ensure delivery against these.
- Develop and drive delivery of the strategic sales plan and managing the commercial teams.
- Be part of the Executive team, driving strategy and contributing at monthly Board meetings.
- Monitor and report on performance of commercial activities using key metrics.
- Proven track record of delivering commercial success within the food production sector, a mix of fresh and frozen would be preferred.
- Experience in creating and executing strategic plans and ideally operating at Board level.
- Extensive budgeting and forecasting experience and the ability to present results at Board level.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Team player with strong leadership and people management skills.
- Data driven with financial acumen.
- Commercial awareness, together with a strategic mindset.