Trader – FMCG Job at Lincoln Full Time

Trader – FMCG

We are partnering with a long-established UK organisation operating at scale within chilled food and protein supply chains. The business plays a central role in sourcing, managing and delivering high-quality products from origin through to major retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers. It is recognised for its disciplined, long-term commercial approach, strong governance, and unwavering focus on building trusted, customer-led relationships.

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced commercial trader to join a team, with responsibility for driving category performance across protein and chilled food portfolios. This role combines hands-on trading execution with strategic ownership of key customer accounts and category direction.

The Role

Reporting into commercial leadership, the successful candidate will take full ownership of a defined product category, leading both the commercial strategy and day-to-day execution across domestic and export markets.

Key responsibilities include:

• Owning and delivering the commercial strategy for protein and chilled food categories, aligned with wider business objectives
• Building, developing and retaining strong relationships with key retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers, acting as the primary commercial lead
• Executing trading and sales strategies with a clear focus on customer value, margin delivery and volume optimisation
• Managing forward positions, supply commitments and pricing structures to ensure consistent, reliable delivery against customer needs
• Proactively identifying market opportunities, trends and risks, feeding insight into wider category and business strategy
• Working closely with cross-functional teams including procurement, technical, logistics and operations to ensure seamless delivery and high service levels
• Operating within defined commercial and risk frameworks, ensuring all trading activity is controlled, compliant and well-governed

Candidate Profile

This role will suit a commercially astute and relationship-led individual who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced food environment and takes pride in owning both customer outcomes and category performance.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in trading, buying or selling within protein, chilled foods, or closely related FMCG categories
• A strong track record of owning and developing customer relationships, with a clear focus on long-term partnership and value creation
• The ability to take full ownership of a category or portfolio, shaping and executing strategy with accountability for performance
• Strong understanding of supply chains within perishable goods, including planning, pricing and margin management
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively across internal teams and contribute to a high-performing commercial culture
• A disciplined, professional approach to commercial decision-making, balancing opportunity with risk and governance
• High levels of integrity, accountability and attention to detail

What’s on Offer

• A commercial role with real ownership of category strategy and customer relationships
• Exposure to high-volume, fast-moving chilled food markets within a well-established business
• The opportunity to shape and influence category direction within a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• A values-led culture focused on partnership, accountability and long-term success
• Base salary up to £85k with car allowance & performance-related bonus