WHSmith
Head of Commercial Management
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Head of Commercial Management
PLEASE NOTE: As part of our organisational changes, our ongoing structure and roles continue to be reviewed. While this role is being advertised, circumstances may change and the role could be withdrawn/amended.
Applications Close 14th October.
At WHSmith Europe our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers, the ones that enable our growth. The Head of Commercial Management is responsible for developing and executing supplier partnership strategies that maximise commercial performance, profitability, customer value, and operational efficiency. This role leads the management of strategic supplier relationships, drives profit improvement initiatives, identifies revenue growth opportunities, and ensures supplier performance aligns with wider business objectives.
Working cross-functionally across Commercial, Finance, Operations, Product, and Customer teams, the role will influence business strategy and deliver sustainable profit growth through effective supplier engagement, commercial negotiation, and data-driven decision making.
What you will be doing:
- Develop and deliver the supplier management and profit strategy to support business growth and commercial objectives.
- Build, manage, and optimise strategic supplier partnerships, ensuring strong performance, value, and long-term collaboration.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve profitability, increase revenue, and drive commercial efficiencies.
- Monitor supplier performance, risks, and contractual commitments, taking proactive action to resolve issues and mitigate risks.
- Lead commercial negotiations, supplier reviews, and strategic initiatives to maximise business outcomes.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders across the business to align supplier strategy with operational and customer priorities.
- Provide commercial insight, reporting, and recommendations to support decision-making and future planning.
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What we are looking for:
- Proven experience in supplier management, commercial leadership, procurement, or strategic partnerships.
- Strong track record of delivering profit growth, cost efficiencies, and successful supplier negotiations.
- Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to identify opportunities and translate them into measurable results.
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills, with experience engaging at senior levels.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, make data-driven decisions, and deliver strategic outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience within retail, travel, or a similar commercial environment is desirable.
How we reward our teams:
- Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
- 4pm Friday Finish
- Flexible Working
- 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
- Family Friendly Leave
- Company Pension scheme
- Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
- Competitive Salary
- Private Medical Care
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff Discount Card for railway stores (subject to policy)
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About us:
Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries – the air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey. As a diverse group of over 6,000 colleagues, we’re all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
Our business operates from two key locations, In a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces.
For WHSmith Europe, our mission is simple – to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands across airports, hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our operational environment is fast-paced and highly regulated, requiring exceptional standards of maintenance, compliance, health & safety and colleague welfare across every location.
We’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
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