Merchandise Commercial Manager

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

As the Merchandise Commercial Manager at Foodstuffs South Island you’ll lead a high performing team of Commercial Analysts, bring financial discipline and data-led insight to senior decision making, and shape category strategy while embedding a collaborative learning culture. You’ll partner with the Head of Merchandise, provide end-to-end category reviews, and challenge assumptions with strong commercial discipline. The ideal candidate has proven people leadership, advanced Excel and financial modelling skills, the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations, and excellent stakeholder relationship and communication skills. Apply via our careers site by 8 February 2026; questions to [email protected]. Don’t worry if you don’t meet every requirement, diverse experience is welcome.

About the role:

As the Merchandise Commercial Manager, you’ll lead and develop a high performing team of Commercial Analysts who provide trusted financial insight and challenge to drive strong commercial outcomes.

Partnering closely with the Head of Merchandise – Commercial, you’ll bring financial discipline, data-led insight and clear narratives into senior decision making.

This is a leadership role with real influence, shaping category strategy, improving commercial frameworks, and embedding a collaborative learning-focused culture that lifts capability across the Merchandise function.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Commercial Analysts, creating a positive, high performance and learning culture.
• Provide high quality financial analysis, modelling and insights to support strategic and operational decision making.
• Lead the end to end category review approach, ensuing targeted financial outcomes are achieved.
• Challenge assumptions and bring strong commercial discipline into senior level conversations.

About you:

You’re a commercially savvy finance leader who enjoys developing people and turning complex data into clear, actionable insight. You’re confident influencing senior stakeholders, curious about better ways of working. Ideally you also have:

• Proven people leadership experience, with a coaching and developing mindset
• Strong analytical, financial modelling and advanced Excel skills
• The ability to translate data into compelling commercial insights and recommendations
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively.
• Strong relationship building skills across diverse stakeholder groups.

Don't Meet Every Requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for individuals with diverse experiences and are keen to hear from those who believe they have the drive and potential to succeed in this role.

How to apply:

Applications will close 8 February 2026 and will only be accepted via our careers site. 

If you have any questions about the role, or experience any issues submitting your application, please email [email protected].   

Join us in feeding the South Island. 

Why join us?

• Our approach to flexible working is based on trusting and empowering our people to manage their time and deliver results while balancing the needs of their personal lives.
• We’re committed to equitable outcomes, and we offer additional paid parental leave, free period products and financial health checks to name a few.
• We support your wellbeing with Southern Cross health insurance for you and your family after a qualifying period, discounts at local gyms, access to online wellbeing tools, and a prayer and privacy room onsite.
• You can access Enhanced leave; Lifestyle leave and sick leave from day one of joining the Foodies team.
• We offer continuous learning and professional growth, as well as access to our extensive online training library and endless opportunities.
• We’re proud of our supportive team environment, and our positive and friendly culture that’s made fun by Furry Friend Fridays and monthly social events!
• Our Papanui based office has free carparking, an in-house café.

About us:

We’re a team of 14,000 who make sure South Islanders have access to the groceries and essentials they need. Proudly 100% Kiwi-owned and operated, our co-operative has more than 200 PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square, Raeward Fresh and On the Spot stores feeding the South Island.

We value being at the heart of our communities, like we’ve always been, to make the South Island a better place – for today and for many generations to come. From sunny Golden Bay all the way to Stewart Island, there’s a Foodstuffs store serving you and your whānau.

Our success is down to our people who bring their skills, experience, passion, and expertise to make Foodies an amazing and rewarding place to work. Our co-op has a wide variety of roles to offer, and endless opportunities for development.

Our values:

At Foodies, together we drive success to be our best and care for our whānau. We recognise that it takes a collective effort to achieve success, and we thrive on fostering a culture of collaboration to drive innovation and embracing challenges as a united team. We are committed to supporting our people, and to positively impact the lives of South Islanders every day.