Opportunity Review: Commercial Trading Role at Danish Crown UK

Are you a seasoned commercial trading professional looking to make a significant impact in the UK's dynamic foodservice sector? Danish Crown, a globally recognized food company with a strong heritage rooted in Danish farming, presents an exciting opportunity to lead and develop their trading arm within the UK Business Unit. This role offers a unique chance to build a customer base from the ground up, driving growth and success in a supportive and well-resourced environment.

Why Consider Danish Crown?

Danish Crown understands the importance of work-life balance and employee well-being. Candidates will be drawn to the comprehensive benefits package designed to support their personal and professional lives:

• Generous Holiday Allowance: Enjoy an exceptional 36 days of holiday per year (28 days plus bank holidays), offering ample time for rest and rejuvenation.
• Enhanced Leave Policies: Benefit from enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, supporting you through significant life events.
• Robust Health and Well-being Support: Access enhanced company sick pay, free optional health care cash plans for everyday healthcare needs, and a wide array of digital and virtual well-being tools. A free Employee Assistance Programme is also available for colleagues and their families.
• Financial Security: A company pension scheme is in place to support your long-term financial planning.
• Perks for Food Lovers: Enjoy heavily discounted meat products through the staff shop, a fantastic perk for those who appreciate quality food.
• Convenient Facilities: Benefit from free parking and complimentary hot drinks on site, making your workday more comfortable.
• Career Growth: Danish Crown is committed to fostering talent, offering development opportunities for individuals aspiring to progress within a global business.

Key Considerations for Candidates

This role is a pivotal position within Danish Crown's UK Foodservice division. To thrive, candidates should possess a specific blend of experience and personal attributes:

What You'll Be Doing:

• Building a New Business: This is a foundational role where you will be responsible for establishing and growing the trading arm from inception. This includes procuring leading products, managing stock and distribution, and strategically placing them in the market for maximum value.
• Customer Acquisition and Development: You will be at the forefront of building a brand-new customer base, targeting Wholesale and Foodservice businesses across the UK. This involves proactive business development, including cold-calling and attending industry events.
• Relationship Management: Cultivating and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with key clients will be crucial. You'll act as the main point of contact, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and addressing client needs effectively.
• Sales Execution: This role demands strong sales acumen, from professional presentations to skillful negotiation of contracts, pricing, and delivery terms. Meeting and exceeding sales targets will be a primary focus.
• Strategic Input: Your insights will be invaluable. You'll conduct market research, provide feedback on customer preferences and market trends to inform product development and marketing strategies, and prepare detailed sales forecasts and financial analyses.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working seamlessly with internal teams such as product, marketing, and operations will be essential for successful project implementation and alignment with customer expectations.

What You'll Need:

• Extensive Trading Experience: A minimum of 10+ years of proven commercial trading experience is essential, demonstrating your ability to operate independently in competitive markets and consistently achieve targets.
• UK Market Network: An established network within the UK market, ideally within the National or Regional Foodservice trading environment, will be a significant advantage.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial awareness coupled with the ability to perform financial analysis, such as understanding profit margins, is critical.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills are paramount for building trust and rapport with clients and stakeholders.
• Tech Savvy: Proficiency in digital tools, including CRM software for client management and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), is required.
• Location: You must be based in the UK, with a suitable location to facilitate regular visits to Danish Crown sites and maximize customer visits across the country.
• "Founder's Mindset": Danish Crown is seeking individuals who are proactive, resourceful, self-sufficient, and eager to take ownership. This "can-do" attitude, combined with resilience, a drive for results, and a willingness to learn and experiment, will be key to success in this pioneering role.

This Commercial Trading position at Danish Crown offers a compelling proposition for experienced professionals who are ready to take on a significant challenge with substantial rewards. It’s an opportunity to not only build a successful career but also to contribute to the growth of a leading international food company.