Head of Commercial & Category Management

Head of Commercial & Category Management

For one of our clients, a leading retail group, we are seeking an experienced senior executive to lead the company’s commercial and category management function and join its leadership team.

This is a key business role with significant impact on the company’s performance, including responsibility for developing and executing the commercial strategy, leading the category management function, and driving sales growth and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s commercial and category management function.
• Develop and execute the commercial strategy and annual business plans.
• Manage and develop category managers and commercial teams.
• Oversee product assortment, pricing, promotions, range optimization, and planograms.
• Take responsibility for category sales, profitability, and key business metrics.
• Lead negotiations and commercial agreements with major suppliers and business partners.
• Identify market trends and commercial opportunities and develop new categories and growth engines.
• Work closely with Operations, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Information Systems.
• Participate in strategic and commercial decision-making as a member of the company’s leadership team.

Requirements

• Senior management experience in commercial and category management within a significant retail organization – required.
• Proven experience managing a commercial function and/or multiple categories at substantial scale.
• Experience managing managers and professional teams.
• Significant experience in supplier management, commercial negotiations, and trade agreements.
• Strong commercial and analytical capabilities, including responsibility for sales and profitability.
• Broad business perspective and proven ability to lead cross-functional processes.
• Experience in food retail, convenience retail, or FMCG – a significant advantage.