The Role - Commercial Director

An established and fast-growing service-led organisation operating within the UK food and fresh produce sector is seeking a strategic Commercial Director to join its executive leadership team.

With annual revenues exceeding £100m and a significant multi-site footprint across Kent, this business partners with major customers to deliver high-quality, value-added service solutions in a fast-paced, operationally complex environment.

This is a pivotal senior role reporting directly to the MD.

As Commercial Director, you will be accountable for the end-to-end commercial service provision cycle across a diverse customer base. You will drive strategic growth, protect and enhance margin, and strengthen senior-level customer relationships whilst leading cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Supply Chain and Customer Service.

This role requires a customer-first mindset combined with strong commercial governance, financial rigour and the ability to deliver scalable, profitable service models.

• Develop and execute the commercial strategy aligned with business growth objectives
• Own full customer lifecycle management: onboarding, service delivery, reviews, renewals and expansion
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to deliver commercially viable, customer-centric service solutions
• Build senior-level customer partnerships focused on long-term value creation
• Drive margin protection and revenue growth through pricing strategy and performance management
• Lead RFI/RFP responses with robust commercial analysis and delivery plans
• Oversee KPIs including service performance, quality metrics, SLAs and profitability per account
• Manage commercial budgets, forecasting and margin improvement initiatives
• Champion process standardisation, digital enablement and data-led decision making
• Drive continuous improvement and change programmes across multi-site operations

You will be a proven senior commercial leader with:

• 10+ years commercial experience, with at least 5 years at senior leadership level
• Background in food production, fresh produce, manufacturing, packaging or FMCG
• Strong track record of revenue growth and margin improvement within service-based environments
• Experience managing complex, multi-site customer portfolios
• Advanced commercial acumen including pricing, risk management and contract governance
• Proven ability to influence at executive and board level
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability
• Experience leading cross-functional teams within operationally intensive environments

Postgraduate business qualifications (MBA or equivalent) are advantageous but not essential.

• Customer-centric and relationship-driven
• Strategic thinker with operational credibility
• Influential and collaborative leadership style
• High integrity, resilience and strong change leadership capability
• Commercially astute with strong financial oversight

• Six-Figure Executive Package + Up to 30% Bonus + Car Allowance + Benefits
• Private medical, pension and wellbeing support
• Opportunity to shape and scale a high-growth, people-focused business

If you are an experienced Commercial Director or Head of Commercial seeking a senior leadership opportunity within a dynamic, growth-focused food environment, we would welcome a confidential discussion. xbpsjku

Apply now or contact us directly for a discreet conversation.