Head of Commercial

To lead the integratedCommercial and Supply Chain functions, driving profitable growth, supporting operational efficiency, and sustainability across our clients end-to-end value chain — from Lairage intake and production planning through to customer delivery and commercial performance. The role combines strategic leadership and commercial acumen with a hands-on, operational approach, ensuring commercial decisions are fully aligned with production capability, supply availability, and customer demand. A key responsibility is building and leading high-performing teams, fostering collaboration across Sales, Planning, Logistics, and Customer Service. The Head of Sales & Commercial will champion talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement to create a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement, supporting long-term business growth and resilience. Key Areas of Responsibility and Standards of Performance Strategic & Commercial Leadership Develop and execute the commercial and supply chain strategy to achieve revenue, margin, and growth targets. Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across sales, planning, logistics, and customer service to deliver best-in-class performance. Drive an integrated Sales & Planning process, aligning production schedules with livestock intake and customer demand to maximise carcass utilisation and minimise waste. Collaborate with Livestock Procurement to forecast supply needs using historical data, market trends, and business requirements. Own pricing strategy, linking market data (AHDB indices, EUROP grid, competitor trends) to customer pricing models and margin performance. Partner with Finance and General Management to set annual budgets and deliver against agreed KPIs. Supply Chain & Operational Management Oversee end-to-end supply chain operations from livestock intake to product distribution, ensuring efficiency, traceability, and customer satisfaction. Maintain best-in-class OTIF (On-Time In-Full) delivery performance while optimising cost-to-serve. Monitor product availability, yield, waste, inventory, and forecast accuracy, driving continuous improvement initiatives. Ensure supply chain resilience and agility to respond to market volatility and customer demand changes. Data, Systems & Process Improvement Implement integrated planning and performance systems for real-time visibility of demand, capacity, and financial metrics. Drive digital transformation and analytical maturity across commercial and supply chain functions to enable data-driven decisions. Champion continuous improvement and process efficiency across all operational touchpoints. Customer & Market Development Lead customer account management and commercial negotiations to strengthen partnerships and secure profitable volumes. Track and interpret market trends, competitor activity, and cost movements to inform pricing, product mix, and strategic positioning. Promote brand reputation and customer engagement by aligning commercial delivery with sustainability and animal welfare values. Sustainability & Compliance Align commercial and supply chain operations with our clients sustainability and net-zero goals. Promote circular economy practices through efficient resource use, waste minimisation, and integration with the AD plant. Ensure compliance with BRCGS, SMETA, food safety, and environmental regulations. Stakeholder Management Build strong relationships with internal teams (Operations, Procurement, Finance, Sustainability) to ensure alignment of objectives. Engage external stakeholders including customers, suppliers, and industry partners to foster trust and collaboration. Influence decision-making through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations. Risk Management Identify and assess commercial, operational, and supply chain risks impacting business performance. Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to safeguard profitability and continuity. Maintain contingency plans for critical business processes and supply chain disruptions. People Development Lead, coach, and develop the commercial and supply chain teams to build capability and engagement. Implement succession planning and talent development strategies to support long-term growth. Stock Management & Debt Control Ensure effective stock management processes to optimise inventory levels and reduce waste. Monitor and manage customer debt to maintain healthy cash flow and minimise risk. Travel Travel as required in line with corporate KPIs to support customer relationships and operational oversight. Key Performance Indicators Gross Margin per Kilo / per Head – Measure profitability and pricing effectiveness. Forecast Accuracy & Inventory Turnover – Ensure planning precision and supply chain agility. On-Time In-Full (OTIF) Delivery – Maintain best-in-class customer service performance. Carcass Utilisation & Yield Improvement – Maximise value and minimise waste. Working Capital & Cost-to-Serve Efficiency – Optimise financial health and operational cost control. Sustainability & Carbon Reduction Progress – Deliver against ESG and net-zero commitments. Completion Rate of Training & Development Programs – Build team capability and skills. Succession Planning Metrics & Readiness of Key Roles – Ensure leadership continuity. Employee Engagement Scores & Retention Rates – Foster a high-performing, motivated team. Person Specification Professional Experience Proven leadership across commercial and/or supply chain management within the food, meat, or agri-food manufacturing sector. Strong understanding of beef or protein industry dynamics, including carcass balance, margin management, and market pricing. Track record of leading integrated S&P, demand planning, and logistics functions within a complex, fast-paced environment. Experience working cross-functionally with operations, finance, and sustainability teams to deliver business-wide performance improvements. Skills & Attributes Hands‑on and visible leader with a strong operational presence and practical problem‑solving approach. Data‑driven and commercially astute, able to translate analysis into actionable decisions. Excellent people leader and coach, capable of building high‑performing, collaborative teams. Strong communicator, credible with both farmers and retail partners alike. Passionate about sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Personal Attributes Living by our Values of: Act with Integrity Put People First Steward Our Resources for Future Generations Seek Partnering Relationships Strive to Continuously Improve Explore Innovative Solutions Work Together as a Team Strategic thinker with strong commercial insight. Exceptional communication and negotiation skills. Collaborative and people-focused leadership style. Resilient and adaptable in a fast‑paced environment. Commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. #J-18808-Ljbffr