Role Overview
Food Force Ireland is seeking to appoint a Commercial Manager to oversee and develop the organisation’s commercial trading activity, supplier relationships and member engagement strategy.
This is a strategically important appointment and substantially broader than a traditional buying or trading role. The successful candidate will operate at the centre of a highly relationship-driven organisation, balancing the interests of suppliers, retailers and the Board while helping shape the future direction of Food Force Ireland.
The role combines commercial negotiation, promotional strategy, supplier management, retailer engagement, financial oversight and event coordination within a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment.
The successful individual will be expected to build trusted relationships across the wider FFI network while maintaining the commercial integrity and reputation of the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Strategy & Trading
- Develop and implement a clear commercial and trading strategy across all categories
- Drive profitable sales growth and trading performance for member retailers
- Lead pricing and promotional strategy to ensure competitiveness across the market
- Develop and manage promotional calendars including:
- weekly promotions
- seasonal campaigns
- one-off bulk buys
- dealer loaders
- new product introductions
- Monitor market conditions, competitor activity and consumer trends, adapting trading activity where required
- Identify opportunities for further growth, supplier engagement and member value creation
Supplier Management & Negotiation
- Build and maintain strong long-term relationships with suppliers and commercial partners
- Negotiate annual agreements, pricing structures, rebates and promotional support
- Secure best-in-market commercial terms and product availability
- Manage supplier performance and ongoing trading relationships
- Act as a trusted commercial representative of Food Force Ireland within the wider supplier community
Retailer Engagement & Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with FFI members to support trading activity and commercial performance
- Communicate promotional activity and trading opportunities effectively across the membership base
- Build strong and trusted relationships with independent retailers across the network
- Operate credibly within a highly entrepreneurial and relationship-led environment
- Support the Board in delivering the strategic objectives of the organisation
Financial & Administrative Management
- Oversee supplier invoicing, reconciliations and collection of monies
- Maintain accurate commercial and financial records
- Prepare and reconcile member accounts
- Ensure strong attention to detail across all financial processes and reporting
- Support transparent and accurate rebate management processes
Events & Marketing
- Lead the planning and delivery of two major supplier and retailer trade shows annually
- Coordinate supplier participation and retailer engagement
- Support wider promotional and marketing initiatives
- Maintain strong visibility for the FFI brand within the sector
Leadership & Governance
- Provide regular commercial updates and reporting to the Board
- Help lead and develop the wider FFI offering
- Manage multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines effectively
- Operate with professionalism, integrity and commercial discretion at all times
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Proven experience within a senior commercial, trading, buying or supplier-facing role
- Strong commercial negotiation and relationship management capability
- Experience working within grocery, retail, wholesale, FMCG or supplier environments
- Experience managing pricing, promotions and commercial agreements
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain long-term stakeholder relationships
- Strong financial and analytical capability
Desirable Experience
Experience within one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:
- Wholesale or symbol group operations
- Independent retail sector
- Food manufacturing or supply
- Supplier account management
- Buying groups or membership organisations
- Multi-site retail operations
- Trade associations or commercially led stakeholder organisations
Skills & Competencies
Commercial & Analytical
- Strong commercial acumen and trading awareness
- Advanced Excel and financial analysis capability
- Ability to interpret data and convert insight into commercial action
- Strong organisational and project management capability
Negotiation & Influencing
- Excellent negotiation capability
- Strong influencing and relationship management skills
- Comfortable managing high-value commercial discussions
- Confident communicator across a wide range of stakeholders
Relationship Management
- Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to build trust and credibility quickly
- Strong communication and presentation capability
- Collaborative and relationship-led approach
Leadership & Organisation
- Ability to lead and influence within a lean organisational structure
- Comfortable operating autonomously and managing competing priorities
- Resilient, adaptable and solutions-focused
- Strong attention to detail and organisational discipline
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate is likely to be:
- Commercially astute
- Personable and relationship-focused
- Pragmatic and resilient
- Ambitious and self-motivated
- Highly professional and trustworthy
- Diplomatic and emotionally intelligent
- Committed to treating all stakeholders with integrity, fairness and respect
Qualifications
- Third level qualification desirable
- or
- Equivalent relevant industry experience
Remuneration & Benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- Car allowance / company vehicle
- Hybrid working model
- 20 days annual leave plus statutory holidays
- Additional leave linked to long service
- Flexible working approach dependent on operational requirements
Working Pattern
- Monday to Friday
- 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Flexibility required around trade shows, events and key commercial activities
- Hybrid working structure:
- 1–2 days per week within member stores / meetings
- Remaining time home-based or attending supplier engagements
How to apply
This is an excellent opportunity to work within a very successful and well-established business. If you think you possess the necessary skills and experience, we want to hear from you! You can contact us by calling 02890 027733, or by emailing [email protected] quoting ref no: 294941
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Belfast BT3 9JL
