Commercial Manager - Speciality & Fine Food

Montgomery Events, part of Montgomery Group, are seeking an experienced, results-oriented exhibition sales professional to drive sales within the Food Drink and Hospitality division. 

As a Commercial Manager, you will be immersed in the world of fine food and drink working on Speciality & Fine Food Fair, enabling you to become a trusted authority in the industry and create valuable connections along the way. You will work closely with key accounts and will attend numerous industry networking events. Meeting personal sales targets for exhibition space and sponsorship with both existing and new customers/partners via phone and face-to-face interactions, the Commercial Manager will also have line management responsibilities.

You will provide guidance, training, and development to enhance your direct reports performance and professional growth. Additionally, you will support the Event Manager with accurate floorplan management, ensuring that the CRM and prospect database are continuously updated and fit for purpose. We are looking for an experienced sales professional with strong negotiation skills, enthusiasm and a proven ability to mentor and inspire a team to reach shared goals.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Minimum of 4 to 5 years of exhibition experience and at least 1 year of line management experience, with a proven track record of developing team members and driving sales results.
• Demonstrated success in achieving results within exhibitions and sponsorship sales, consistently meeting and exceeding targets.
• Highly organised, with the ability to effectively prioritise and manage time to maximize productivity and achieve goals.
• High emotional intelligence, skilled in building and sustaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Personable and enthusiastic, with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach—a true team player committed to collective success.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES  

• Strong awareness and regard for personal brand and reputation within the industry.
• A dedicated champion of Montgomery Events, proud to represent and serve the industry.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, actively seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• A creative and strategic thinker who can identify and leverage opportunities effectively.
• An approachable and collaborative team player who can also work independently and with initiative.
• Resilient and adaptable, capable of delivering results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

COMPETENCIES

• Self-motivated and performance-driven, with a focus on achieving goals and driving commercial success.
• Advanced objection handling, negotiation, and closing skills, both over the phone and in face-to-face interactions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to clearly convey information and influence stakeholders.
• Proven capability to develop, support, and mentor team members, fostering a positive and high-performing team environment.
• Experienced in crafting detailed partnership and sponsorship proposals, ensuring alignment with client and company goals.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in using CRM systems for strategic relationship management.
• Skilled at nurturing strong, lasting client relationships, building trust and loyalty.
• High attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all aspects of work.
• Creative and strategic thinking abilities, with an orientation toward innovation and problem-solving.

Montgomery Group is a well-established, ethical, collaborative and empowering company.  We are driven to maximise each and every employees’ potential through empowerment, collaboration and adopting a growth mindset resulting in high performing, tight knit teams who relish coming to work.  We are performance led with a strong focus on growth.  Importantly, we are purpose-driven, adhere to our values no matter what, and as a family business care about the people and communities that we serve. At Montgomery your achievements will be recognised and celebrated. 

The central London, dog friendly offices are close to Oxford Street & Marylebone High Street with private access to Manchester Square Gardens. Hybrid working is offered to all applicants with a minimum of at least 4 days in the office, Monday to Thursday. Core hours are 9-5pm, flexibility outside these hours will be required to suit the needs of the business.

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We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to diversity.  We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, providing they meet the minimum requirements of the job role.  Sadly, the office building is currently not wheelchair friendly.

At Montgomery Group we recognise that women are less likely than men to apply for a role if they do not have experience in all the areas mentioned in the job description.  The list above is indicative, we would still welcome your application even if you feel you don’t have experience in all the listed areas but think that you could do the job.

OUR PURPOSE:​To serve our world, nurturing relationships and developing opportunities.

OUR VISION:  ​To be our communities’ long-term strategic partner throughout the year, creating opportunities for them to connect, transact and engage with the right people to achieve success.

OUR VALUES:​Ethically Commercial, Growth Mindset, Embrace Collaboration, Empowerment.

BENEFITS:

• Charity volunteering days
• Company away days
• Corporate gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Dog friendly office
• Enhanced maternity & paternity benefits
• Flexible working hours
• Fundraising matching scheme
• Hybrid working
• Lunchtime speaker programme
• Mentorship programme
• Monthly social events
• Pension plus 8 x death in service-payment
• Season ticket loans
• Wellness weeks.