OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER REQUIRED
MANAGING DIRECTOR – CHILLED & FROZEN FOOD
South/Midlands based
Competitive executive package
THE COMPANY
A progressive and well invested €450m family owned European chilled and frozen food group with multiple manufacturing facilities, and product procurement capability covering a range of high-quality, well positioned chilled and frozen food brands and own label products. The group has high values and operates a number of shared functions, including procurement and IT.
The £140m+ UK division has achieved a high level of growth in recent years including an impressive 21% sales increase in 2025 with a well-balanced Grocery Multiple Retail, Foodservice and Food Manufacturing B2B trade channel share of sales.
The European board are now looking to appoint an outstanding, dynamic Managing Director who can lead the UK management team to further shape and develop their future strategy, focused on delivering profitable sales growth.
THE JOB
As the UK business division leader, you are tasked with further developing the future UK trading strategy aligned to the European board objectives and working closely with your SLT colleagues to effectively communicate, inspire and motivate each functional department head to achieve their individual performance goals and targets.
Key responsibilities include finance, sales, marketing, procurement, technical and supply chain/logistics heads of department, and the commercial P&L business performance aligned to agreed budgets.
The role will report to the company Chairman and will also involve working strategically and cross functionally with fellow European market leadership directors to share, support and advise on best business practice.
A relocation support package could be available to the right candidate.
ABOUT YOU
Having successfully carved out your career in the food industry you have most likely been working in a senior leadership role over the last 7-10 years at Commercial Director or Managing Director level and are looking for your next career challenge.
Your experience must include working at SLT or board level within a food or drink manufacturing or UK distributor business, including brand-led products. Experience with own label business will also be an advantage to this appointment.
The trade channel balance pf your experience should include managing business within the Food Service or Food Manufacturing B2B channels and preferably, with the leading Grocery Retail Multiple accounts where you have fostered effective senior level trade relationships.
We would love to hear about some of your proudest business performance successes… How you have shaped business strategies, and what commercial results they have delivered? How you manage and inspire your senior team and how they have performed? Your creativity in finding business solutions to trading issues and opportunities?
You are a consummate professional, full of drive and energy although calm under pressure, highly engaging with a natural ability to ‘read the room’ together with an infectious and aspirational leadership style.
If this sounds like you, and you’re looking to join a progressive chilled and frozen food group and lead the UK division team, please apply in confidence to mark@smithcarey.co.uk quoting reference MS/2705 with your CV and current benefits package details, OR give Mark Smith a call on 07747 847214 for an initial confidential discussion.
Closing date 25th March 2026
Function
Sales, Other
Hours
Full time
Contract
Permanent
Salary
Competitive executive package
Location
South/Midlands based
Closing Date
25 March 2026
Contact
Mark Smith
