Country Sales Manager
11 days ago
Reading
Job Title: Commercial Manger Location: Reading / Hybrid Reports to: CEO / Founder Company Stage: Startup Industry: Medical Cannabis Role Overview The Commercial Manager will lead the company’s revenue growth strategy across sales, partnerships, pricing, and market expansion in the UK. As a key member of the leadership team, this role is responsible for building and executing the commercial strategy in a fast-paced, highly regulated cannabis environment. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, thrives in startup settings, and has a strong understanding of cannabis market dynamics, compliance constraints, and go-to-market execution. Key Responsibilities Commercial Strategy & Growth • Develop and execute the company’s overall commercial and revenue strategy, • Identify and prioritize new market opportunities, channels, and customer segments, • Build strong relationship with stakeholders in medical environment Sales & Partnerships • Build, lead, and scale the sales function (wholesale, B2B), • Establish and manage strategic partnerships (clinics, dispensaries, distributors and pharmacies), • Negotiate and close key commercial agreements and contracts with clinics and distributors or pharmacies, • Support key accounts and high-value relationships Market & Customer Insight • Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes, • Translate customer insights into product positioning, offers, and go-to-market plans, • Collaborate with category manager on brand positioning, campaigns, and customer acquisition strategies Cross-Functional Leadership • Work closely with Board of Directors to ensure commercial plans are executable and compliant, • Align commercial priorities with supply chain, production capacity, and inventory planning, • Contribute to company-wide strategic planning and investor discussions Compliance & Risk Management • Ensure all commercial activities comply with cannabis regulations, • Partner with legal/compliance teams to manage risk in sales, marketing, and partnerships Required Qualifications • 5+ years of experience in commercial leadership, sales leadership, or business development, • Proven track record of driving revenue growth in a startup or high-growth environment, • Experience in cannabis, regulated industries or strong cannabis market knowledge, • Strong negotiation, deal-making, and stakeholder management skills, • Data-driven mindset with experience in forecasting, pricing, and performance metrics Preferred Qualifications • Direct experience in cannabis (distribution, cannabis clinics), • Experience scaling teams and commercial operations from early stage to growth phase, • Understanding of cannabis compliance frameworks, • MBA or equivalent business experience Key Competencies • Strategic thinking with hands-on execution, • Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort with ambiguity, • Strong leadership and communication skills, • Commercial acumen and financial literacy, • High ethical standards and compliance awareness What We Offer • Opportunity to shape the commercial direction of a fast-growing cannabis startup, • Competitive salary plus equity/bonus opportunities, • High-impact leadership role with direct access to founders, • Dynamic, mission-driven work environment