Interim Commercial Manager
UK Grocery Retail
£(Apply online only) per day plus expenses inside IR35
East Midlands
Looking for your next interim contract? This role gives you full ownership of a major grocery account while supporting another key retailer, with plenty of scope to make an impact quickly. You'll shape customer plans, lead negotiations, drive distribution and help deliver strong branded growth across a fast‑moving category.
You'll work closely with a Commercial Controller and a cross‑functional team, keeping things moving at pace and making sure launches, promotions and plans land well in store.
A great business! We know this from feedback from other placements in the business who find the supportive culture and teamwork ethos a huge benefit to the overall environment. You will be hands-on so need to be self-sufficient and able to hit the ground running in this autonomous role.
Hybrid role - ideally three days a week in the office
What you'll be doing
Managing a major UK retail customer along with other smaller accounts
Building and delivering annual customer plans and JBPs
Leading negotiations across pricing, promotions, terms and range reviews
Driving distribution, availability and visibility of core and new products
Managing NPD launches, seasonal activity and customer‑specific projects
Using customer and category data to spot risks and opportunities
Owning forecasting and working closely with Demand Planning and Supply Chain
Building strong relationships across buying, merchandising, supply chain and category teams
What you'll bring
FMCG account management experience within UK grocery at the National Account Manager or Senior National Account Manager level is essential
Experience managing or supporting the major retailers is essential
Strong commercial and financial understanding, including P&L
Confidence delivering JBPs and annual negotiation cycles
Ability to turn data and insight into clear, actionable plans
Strong relationship‑building skills with buying and category teams
Solid planning, forecasting and project management capability
Autonomous operator, happy to prepare your own decks and take full ownership of the accoun
About you
Proven experience in branded FMCG at SNAM, Commercial Manager or NAM level
Must have experience of the major retailers - Morrisons or Tesco or Asda or Waitrose or Sainsbury's or M&S or Aldi or Co-op
Strong negotiator and collaborator with the ability to influence and build trust
Curious, proactive and opportunity‑led
Resilient, results‑focused and comfortable owning delivery
Highly numerate with strong analytical skills
Clear communicator with strong presentation skills
Collaborative, organised and able to juggle multiple priorities
Please send your cv to Sarah in the Novus team without delay - ideal start date would be August
