Key Skills

Job Description

About The Role We are looking for a Commercial Manager – Trading & Emerging Markets to join our European commercial organisation. This is a dynamic commercial role combining fresh produce trading, account management and new business development. You will be responsible for maximising the commercial return from surplus and opportunistic fruit volumes across Europe, while growing existing banana accounts and developing new business, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe. The role requires someone who can operate confidently in a fast-moving market, make sound commercial decisions quickly and, at the same time, build customer relationships that develop into profitable, sustainable business. Key ResponsibilitiesAccount Management & Business Development Surplus & Spot Fruit Management Manage and sell surplus, distressed and unallocated fruit volumes, primarily bananas. Identify the best commercial opportunities based on price, margin, quality, specification, location, maturity and logistics. Work closely with commercial teams across Europe to identify market demand, shortages and opportunities. Respond quickly to changing market conditions while protecting pricing and existing customer relationships. Maximise commercial recovery and minimise potential losses and write-offs. Partner with supply chain, quality, ripening and logistics teams to place fruit in the right market at the right time. Build a strong and reliable network of spot and secondary-market customers across Europe. Manage and grow existing banana accounts, with responsibility for volume, margin and customer relationships. Develop new banana business, particularly across emerging markets in Eastern Europe. Identify and engage retailers, wholesalers, importers, distributors and ripeners. Understand customer requirements across quality, origin, specification, packaging, ripening and logistics. Convert initial opportunities and trial volumes into profitable, recurring business. Negotiate pricing, volumes and commercial terms with a strong focus on margin and long-term value. Identify market trends, competition and routes to market and translate these into commercial opportunities. Regularly visit customers and prospects across Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe. Skills & Experience Required Commercial experience within fresh produce, FMCG, food trading or another fast-moving commercial environment. Experience in bananas or tropical fruit would be a strong advantage. Strong commercial judgement and confidence making decisions in rapidly changing market conditions. Experience in business development, account management and negotiation. A good understanding of pricing, margins, quality, logistics and supply chain. The ability to evaluate opportunities based on overall commercial return, not simply selling price. Resilience and persistence when developing new customers and markets. Confidence working across different countries, cultures and customer types. Willingness to travel regularly across Europe, particularly Eastern Europe. Fluency in English. Additional Eastern European languages would be an advantage. Why Join Us? Gain exposure to some of the most important retail customers in the market. Take ownership of your own customer portfolio from an early stage in your career. Work alongside experienced commercial leaders and cross-functional teams. Build expertise across sales, category management, customer development and commercial execution. Be part of a collaborative team focused on growth, innovation and customer excellence. Competitive Base Salary Range: € 90k-100k (Including Holiday and 13th Month) Ready to take the next step in your commercial career? Apply now and help shape the future growth of our customer partnerships while developing your own career in Key Account Management.

Core Responsibilities

Manage and sell surplus, distressed, and unallocated fruit, maximizing commercial recovery while coordinating with supply chain, quality, ripening, and logistics teams. Grow existing banana accounts and develop profitable new business, especially in Eastern Europe, through customer engagement, market analysis, negotiation, and regular travel.

Requirements

Candidates should have commercial experience in fresh produce, FMCG, food trading, or another fast-moving commercial environment; banana or tropical fruit experience is advantageous. They should demonstrate strong commercial judgment, business development and account management experience, negotiation skills, supply chain understanding, resilience, willingness to travel across Europe, and fluency in English; Eastern European languages are an advantage.