Head of Commercial Development

<p><span><strong>Role: Head of Commercial Development</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><strong>Reports to: Customer and Commercial Director</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><strong>Location: Leeds / Hybrid</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Magnet Group is going through a period of real transformation, and this role sits right at the heart of it. As Head of Commercial Development, you'll lead the specialist function that gives our Retail, Projects and B2B businesses the commercial frameworks, tools and insight they need to grow profitably and trade smarter.</p><p class="MsoNormal">This is a senior, high-impact role for someone with strong commercial acumen and the influencing skills to match - you'll be working closely with senior leaders across the business, shaping strategy and turning it into action. It's not just about setting direction; it's about getting things done, embedding commercial discipline and driving measurable results across a complex, matrixed organisation. You'll also lead a team, so strong people leadership matters as much as commercial firepower.</p><p><strong>What you'll be doing</strong> </p><ul><li><p><strong>Setting the strategy - </strong>developing a commercial development strategy aligned to Magnet's wider business goals, and working with senior leadership to spot and deliver profitable growth across Retail, Projects and Partnerships.</p></li><li><p><strong>Building commercial capability - </strong>creating the frameworks, governance and tools that improve pricing, proposition development, category optimisation and investment decisions across the business.</p></li><li><p><strong>Shaping our propositions - </strong>leading the development and ongoing optimisation of Magnet's commercial propositions, backed by market, customer and competitor insight.</p></li><li><p><strong>Owning market and competitive insight - </strong>overseeing the collection and analysis of market, customer and competitor data, and translating it into commercial recommendations that drive growth and competitive advantage.</p></li><li><p><strong>Partnering with the business - </strong>acting as the go-to commercial partner for Retail, Projects and Partnerships, including strengthening propositions for housebuilders, developers and commercial customers, and developing compelling commercial models for strategic partners.</p></li><li><p><strong>Driving performance - </strong>establishing KPIs and dashboards, reporting to senior stakeholders, and making sure commercial initiatives deliver real financial and customer benefit.</p></li><li><p><strong>Spotting opportunity and driving innovation - </strong>identifying new routes to market, partnerships and revenue streams, evaluating emerging retail trends and technologies, and building the business cases to back strategic investment.</p></li><li><p><strong>Leading and developing your team - </strong>managing a team, setting clear direction, building their commercial capability and creating a culture of high-quality execution and constructive challenge.</p></li><li><p><strong>Influencing at pace - </strong>working across Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Product and the wider business to embed commercial thinking into everyday decision-making.</p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span><strong>Who we’re looking for:</strong></span></p><ul><li><p class="MsoNormal">Experience in commercial strategy, trading, category management or business development in a senior leadership role.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">Background in a merchant or retail business is essential - ideally retail, given the pace and customer proximity of the environment we operate in.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">A strong track record of building and executing commercial strategies that deliver profitable, sustainable growth.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">Real depth in pricing, proposition development, commercial planning and working capital optimisation.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">Exceptional strategic and analytical thinking, paired with strong financial acumen.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">The gravitas and influencing skills to work with, and get buy-in from, senior stakeholders across a large, matrixed organisation.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">Proven experience leading and developing a small team, with a genuinely hands-on approach to coaching and people leadership.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">An entrepreneurial mindset - someone who challenges convention and isn't afraid to make the case for change.</p></li><li><p class="MsoNormal">A degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Finance or equivalent; an MBA or relevant commercial qualification is a plus.</p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><strong>What's in it for you?</strong></p><ul><li><p class="MsoNormal">Competitive salary, Car Allowance, 20% bonus and Private Medical Insurance</p></li><li><p>Fantastic company discounts:<span> </span>Up to 80% off our styli