CORE SKILLS

LEADERSHIP STRENGTHS

  • Leadership and team development across commercial and operational functions

  • Training, mentoring, and capability building

  • Strategic adaptability within changing business environments

  • Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder alignment

  • Negotiation and senior stakeholder engagement

  • Cross-cultural communication within international teams and supplier networks.

COMMERCIAL STRENGTHS

  • Commercial Strategy & P&L Ownership
  • Pricing Architecture & Margin Recovery
  • Product Portfolio & Lifecycle Management
  • Vendor & Supplier Management
  • Product Development & Range Optimisation
  • Supplier Negotiation & Cost Re-engineering
  • Business Development & Go-to-Market Strategy
  • Commercial Forecasting & Performance Reporting
  • Trade, Distribution & E-commerce Pricing Models
  • Senior Stakeholder & Board-level Reporting

TECHNICAL & SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES

  • ERP Systems (bespoke manufacturing systems)
  • CRM (Salesforce)
  • Advanced Excel for business intelligence and commercial analysis
  • E-commerce platforms (WordPress/WooCommerce)
  • Digital marketing platforms and SEO
  • Google Analytics for data interpretation, forecasting, and pricing modelling

 

Summary

Experienced commercial manager, reversing margin erosion and building commercial discipline in product-led manufacturing and distribution businesses.

[View CV]  [LinkedIn]  [Get in Touch]

Who I Am

I'm Richard Mann, a Head of Commercial with over 20 years' experience transforming underperforming commercial operations into disciplined, margin-focused businesses.

I specialise in the tough commercial challenges: reversing multi-year margin erosion, rebuilding pricing architecture, and renegotiating supplier agreements that no longer reflect market reality.

What I've Done

In corporate environments, I've managed 4,000+ SKU portfolios worth £15m in annual buying, led commercial teams of 10+, and recovered consistent gross margin improvements in businesses where previous structures had failed.

As a business owner, I built Premier Porcelain from a garage operation to £1.2m turnover with 40% gross margins across 4 x 3PL warehouses and global sourcing, before achieving a successful trade sale.

As a consultant, I've delivered cost engineering projects consistently exceeding client improvement targets, led UK market entry strategies, and restructured pricing for manufacturing and distribution clients.

What I'm Looking For

After running my consultancy and working with multiple clients, I'm now seeking a senior commercial role where I can focus on long-term transformation within a single organisation.

I'm particularly drawn to mid-market (£10-25m) and PE-backed  businesses  requiring commercial restructuring, margin recovery, or hands-on leadership.

Open to: UK-wide and international roles | Office-based or hybrid working

EXPERTISE SECTION

What I Do Best

Margin Recovery Reversing multi-year margin erosion through pricing architecture redesign, supplier renegotiation, and cost re-engineering. Proven track record of delivering consistent gross margin improvements.

Pricing Strategy Building and implementing pricing architecture across trade, retail, and e-commerce channels. Managing complex product portfolios with clarity and discipline.

Supplier Management Negotiating with global suppliers across Europe, Asia, and South America. Renegotiating legacy agreements and establishing cost structures that support margin objectives.

Commercial Transformation Rebuilding commercial structures where accountability has become unclear. Establishing P&L discipline and performance reporting at senior leadership level.

Team Leadership Recruiting, developing, and leading commercial teams. Track record of managing teams of up to 10 direct reports in manufacturing environments.

P&L Ownership Full accountability for commercial performance including pricing, margins, product portfolio, and working capital management.

Overview 

2024 - Present: Director, Point One Consulting Independent commercial consultancy | 5 client engagements | Margin recovery & market entry projects

2021 - 2024: Founder & Director, Premier Porcelain Built from garage to £1.2m | 40% margins | Successful trade sale

2020 - 2021: General Manager, Tile Space Ltd UK market entry | £500k revenue growth | Built commercial team of 10

2018 - 2020: Head of Product & Commercial Portfolio, Johnson Tiles 4,000+ SKU portfolio | £15m buying responsibility | Reversed multi-year margin erosion

2009 - 2018: Global Sourcing & Commercial Manager, Johnson Tiles Global sourcing strategy | Supplier negotiation | Cost reduction

2007 - 2009: National Accounts Manager, Johnson Tiles £20m revenue responsibility | B&Q, Topps Tiles, Travis Perkins

[View Full CV]

TRACK RECORD 

£15m Annual commercial buying responsibility managed

40% Gross margins achieved at Premier Porcelain through pricing discipline

4,000+ SKUs Product portfolio managed across trade and retail channels

£1.2m Turnover built in 2 years at Premier Porcelain from garage start-up

20+ years Commercial leadership experience in manufacturing and distribution

INDUSTRIES & SECTORS

Primary Experience:

  • Product Manufacturing
  • Tile & Ceramics Industry
  • Building Materials
  • Distribution & Wholesale
  • Retail & Trade Channels

Commercial Models:

  • B2B Distribution
  • B2C E-commerce
  • Trade Sales
  • National Accounts
  • Multi-channel Pricing

Business Stages:

  • Mid-market (£10-25m)
  • PE-backed businesses
  • International market entry
  • Commercial turnaround
  • Start-up to scale

CONTACT SECTION

Let's Talk

Email: Mannrl74@gmail.com

Phone: 07366 291867

LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/richardmann]

Location: Stoke-on-Trent, UK

Currently seeking: Permanent Head of Commercial roles | UK-wide and international | Office-based or hybrid