Commercial Manager - Category Development & Quality

Commercial Manager – Produce, Horticulture & Bakery (Maternity Cover)

Attractive Salary, Car Allowance, Bonus Scheme and Benefits

36.5 Hour week (Hybrid)

Newtownabbey (Must reside within daily commuting distance) 

Who are we?
At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 6,000 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024.

We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live. Our leaders care about employees, and our employees succeed together and celebrate the success of others. We are interested in your aspirations, interests and skills and we strive to support and inspire you to do well.

A look into the role 

As a Commercial Manager within the Customer Proposition team, you will play a key role in delivering performance across Produce, Horticulture and Bakery categories.

This is a delivery-focused role where you will work directly with independent retailers and the HWL Sales Team to improve participation, execution and commercial outcomes across the estate.

You will work closely with Trading, Retail Operations and cross-functional teams to ensure agreed plans, projects and initiatives are delivered consistently, supporting sales growth, operational standards and retailer engagement.

Joining us as a Commercial Manager you will:  

• Deliver project plans across Produce, Horticulture and Bakery, ensuring consistent execution and clear outputs across the estate.
• Drive Fresh category participation through effective execution of promotional plans, seasonal activity and agreed initiatives.
• Support growth in wholesale purchases across all categories by improving retailer engagement, distribution and ordering behaviour.
• Maintain strong in-store execution across Produce, Horticulture and Bakery, ensuring availability and participation in promotions and initiatives.
• Support the implementation and optimisation of Automatic Stock Replenishment (ASR), ensuring correct ranging, effective set-up and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Monitor category performance, identify risks and take corrective action to improve sales, participation, store standards and wholesale purchasing trends.
• Own retailer engagement within assigned categories, providing clear and practical guidance on range compliance, space utilisation, merchandising standards and stock control.
• Work cross-functionally with Trading, Retail Operations, Space Planning, Logistics and Marketing to ensure coordinated delivery of category plans and initiatives.

Skills for Success 

Joining us as Commercial Manager the minimum criteria you’ll need is:

• A minimum of two years' recent and relevant experience within a supermarket or convenience food business
• Experience working with fresh or perishable categories
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, with the ability to translate data into clear actions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes
• A good understanding of the Northern Ireland retail market
• A full, current UK or EU driving licence with access to your own vehicle 

The Attributes you’ll need include: 

• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams
• A proactive approach with strong ownership of delivery
• A structured and organised way of working
• Confidence to challenge and improve existing ways of working
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on outcomes

It is Desirable if you have:

• A third-level qualification.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop teams within fresh or perishable product categories.
• Previous experience working collaboratively with retailers, store colleagues and/or sales teams to deliver business objectives.
• Confident in presenting insights, recommendations and business cases to retailers and internal stakeholders, influencing decisions through strong commercial understanding.
• Relevant experience working within the Northern Ireland retail or wholesale market.
• Strong analytical experience, providing data-led insight to support commercial decision-making.
• Previous experience assessing development, investment or growth opportunities.

Are we right for you? 

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by. 

Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better. 

Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities. 

Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills. 

Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity. 

The Reward 

The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners. 

You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve.  And we will be here to celebrate your success. 

Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment.  We value employee development and heavily invest in our people. 

Benefits include market competitive salary, car allowance, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Reward Gateway Employee Recognition & Discount Scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more. 

This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available. 

Please note this role will require the successful applicant to make occasional visits/business trips away from home.

If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email joanne.mcclelland@henderson-group.com to get in touch. 

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight Monday 10th August 2026

We are an equal opportunities employer.