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Commercial Strategy Manager

Reading, South East England Permanent £80,000 - £90,000 per year View Job Description
The Commercial Strategy Manager focuses on driving and shaping the mid-long term commercial strategy, optimising business performance and building the narratives that influence how the business and brands show up with their key strategic retail customers.
  • A high impact strategy role within the heart of a Commercial function.
  • You'll shape the long-term commercial strategy for an FMCG blue chip!

About Our Client

A global FMCG organisation, established and successful footing within ambient food. Highly recognisable range of brands that live in consumers daily lives!

Job Description

Shape the commercial strategy

  • Partner with the Commercial VP and Sales Leadership Team as a trusted advisor on the most complex and ambiguous commercial questions.
  • Lead the long-term and short-term commercial planning processes - growth outlook, sub-channel strategy, annual operating plan.
  • Own the strategic outputs that define the commercial narrative: category strategy, customer narratives, and the growth story.

Drive strategic initiatives from concept to impact

  • Lead priority commercial initiatives end-to-end, from diagnosis and business case through to delivery and measurement.
  • Own the governance, portfolio management, and integrated roadmap: milestones, risks, resources, and investment.
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure tangible commercial outcomes, not just strategic recommendations.

Be the strategic go-to for Commercial Leadership

  • Build the strategic storyline for internal and external forums.
  • Act as a chief of staff to the VP of Sales, handling high-priority, time-sensitive requests with precision and judgement.
  • Maintain a sharp external lens: consumer trends, competitive moves, macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts that shape the commercial agenda.



The Successful Applicant

A successful Commercial Strategy Manager will have:

  • Consulting-grade problem structuring - frame problems clearly, test hypotheses rigorously, and land on a "so what" that drives action.
  • Comfort in ambiguity with senior stakeholders - you can walk into a room of Directors and VPs with a half-formed problem and leave with a clear path forward.
  • Storytelling that drives decisions - you translate analysis into compelling, executive-ready narratives that shift the conversation.
  • Bias to delivery - you don't just recommend; you own outcomes. You hold yourself accountable for commercial impact, not just strategic output.
  • Intellectual curiosity - you stay on top of what's happening externally as much as inside it. You bring fresh thinking from other industries, markets, and categories.



Requirements:

  • Demonstrable experience at a top-tier strategy consulting firm or an FMCG in-house strategy / commercial excellence team.
  • Strong commercial and strategic judgement.
  • Proven ability to influence and operate credibly with senior leaders (Director / VP level and above).
  • Outstanding analytical skills and structured problem-solving.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, including executive presentations for C-suite audiences.
  • Ability to lead complex, cross-functional agendas autonomously in a matrixed organisation.



What’s on Offer

  • Competitive salary, grading dependent on the level of experience.
  • Healthcare benefits.
  • Attractive pension scheme.
  • Hybrid working pattern - 2-3 days in Berkshire



If of relevance and interest, please apply!

People are at the heart of Michael Page. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.

Contact
Michelle McEllin
Quote job ref
JN-092026-7113139

Job summary

Function
Sales
Subsector
Sales Subsector
Industry
Consumer & Retail
Location
Reading
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Michelle McEllin
Job reference
JN-092026-7113139

About Page Executive

Page Executive are inclusive Recruiters and Hirers, as reflected in our Clear Assured Platinum Standard Accreditation from the Clear Company. We are passionate about attracting diverse talent and are committed to ensuring our processes are inclusive and supportive.