We are seeking a commercially driven, entrepreneurial and hands-on Head of Modern Trade / Commercial Director to accelerate the company's growth across Modern Trade (MT) and Convenience Store (CVS) channels. This is a business-building role for a proven commercial leader with an established network of key retail buyers, category managers and decision-makers across major retail chains and convenience store operators. The successful candidate must have a demonstrable track record of personally securing product listings, opening new accounts, negotiating commercial agreements and converting opportunities into sustainable sales revenue. Beyond setting commercial strategy, the individual must be prepared to lead from the front — winning new business, developing distribution, driving sell-in and sell-out performance, and building the commercial capabilities required to scale the business.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and execute the commercial growth strategy for Modern Trade and Convenience Store channels
- Personally identify, pursue and secure new business opportunities, key accounts and distribution partnerships
- Drive revenue growth through new account acquisition, expanded product distribution, increased sales velocity and improved account penetration
- Build a robust sales pipeline, translate opportunities into confirmed business and deliver agreed sales and profitability targets
- Leverage an established network of retail buyers, category managers and key decision-makers to secure product listings and expand market presence
- Lead negotiations on product listings, pricing, trade terms, promotional funding, rebates, margins and annual trading agreements
- Develop and manage relationships with major supermarket, hypermarket, minimarket and convenience store chains
- Personally lead critical customer meetings, pitch products, negotiate deals and close commercial opportunities
- Take direct ownership of key accounts and strategic customer relationships
- Manage the commercial P&L, including net sales, gross margin, trade spend, promotional ROI and customer profitability
What we are looking for
- Demonstrable track record of personally securing product listings and opening new accounts
- Proven experience in building a channel, business or product portfolio from a low base
- Established network of retail buyers, category managers and decision-makers across major retail chains and convenience store operators
- Track record of negotiating commercial agreements and converting opportunities into sustainable sales revenue
- Experience driving revenue growth through new account acquisition, expanded product distribution and improved account penetration
- Ability to lead from the front, winning new business and developing distribution
- Experience managing commercial P&L and delivering quantifiable revenue growth and profitability improvements
- Ability to build, coach and develop a high-performing sales and key account management tea