About the Role
Chaucer Foods has the ambition to be the no.1 global expert in solutions for freeze-dried fruit in segments like retail, drinks, cereals, and confectionery in B2C (Retail) and B2B. The Chaucer Foods team is international and collaborative, with a strong can-do mentality. The team in Europe is scaling up and looking for a Commercial Operations Coordinator to support our DACH market entry.
As Commercial Operations Coordinator DACH, you will be the operational backbone of our German-speaking market entry. Working closely with the Head of Retail Sales DACH and the wider EMEA commercial team, you will manage retailer onboarding processes, coordinate logistics and compliance workstreams, and ensure that our engagement with major German, Austrian, and Swiss retailers runs smoothly.
This is not a traditional assistant role. You will need commercial awareness, an understanding of German retail processes (LEH), and the ability to work autonomously across time zones with colleagues in the UK, France, the US and Japan.
As we set out on a new path with European Retail, responsibilities may evolve as sales build. We are looking for someone with the ability to adapt to new tasks and priorities in order to meet evolving business needs, and who is comfortable focusing on different projects simultaneously, especially during the initial growth phase.
Reporting Line
You will report to Chaucer Foods' Customer Service / Commercial Operations function (permanent Chaucer team). Day-to-day commercial direction for the DACH market entry, including retailer engagement, tenders, onboarding and compliance, is set by the Head of Retail Sales DACH, with whom you will work closely on a dotted-line basis.
Key Responsibilities
Retailer Operations & Onboarding
• Manage retailer onboarding documentation (Ariba, EDI setup, supplier questionnaires) for major German grocery retailers, discounters, and drugstore chains
• Track tender timelines, sample dispatch, and buyer feedback across all active DACH accounts
• Maintain and update the CRM / account tracker (Salesforce) with current status of all retailer interactions
• Prepare meeting briefing packs and structured follow-up correspondence in German and English
• Coordinate sample briefs and dispatch with internal operations team
Order Processing & Systems
• Enter and track retail orders in SAP Business One, in coordination with the Customer Service team, until EDI ordering is live
• Support the transition to EDI-based retailer ordering as the SAP platform is built out
Logistics & Compliance Coordination
• Liaise with supply chain team on German 3PL hub setup, container tracking, and customs clearance
• Support LUCID/VerpackG packaging registration and dual system licensing processes
• Track IFS Food certification status and retailer-specific compliance requirements (e.g. pesticide secondary standards, MRL testing panels)
• Coordinate labelling compliance reviews (EU 1169/2011 / LMIV) with quality team
Commercial Support
• Assist with Net-Net-Net pricing model calculations and condition sheet (Konditionenblatt) preparation
• Support portfolio document preparation (PowerPoint, product sheets) for retailer meetings
• Research and monitor competitor activity and market developments in freeze-dried and healthy snacking categories
• Actively support and attend trade fairs (PLMA, Anuga, ISM) including stand logistics, meeting scheduling, and on-site representation
Communication & Administration
• Act as German-language interface for incoming retailer queries and routine correspondence
• Maintain strict confidentiality around retailer-sensitive information, including legally separate retail entities and tender data
Working Environment
This is a remote-first role based in Germany. You will work primarily with the Head of Retail Sales DACH (CET timezone) and coordinate regularly with UK-based operations and customer service, a France-based commercial and finance team, and US-based key account leads. Flexibility on working hours is offered, with the expectation that you are available during core European business hours for retailer and team communication.
Equipment (laptop, phone, software) will be provided. A structured onboarding programme will be arranged with key internal stakeholders including operations, quality, supply chain, and customer service teams.
Your Profile
Required
• Native German; fluent English (B2+ minimum)
• 5+ years of experience in FMCG, food retail, or commercial operations
• Understanding of German retail structures (LEH) and buying processes
• Very good SAP Business One knowledge, in particular order entry and processing
• Excellent organisational skills; comfortable managing multiple parallel workstreams
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Salesforce or comparable CRM, and AI productivity tools (e.g. Copilot)
• Ability to adapt to new tasks and priorities in order to meet evolving business needs, with the flexibility to focus on different projects simultaneously, especially during the initial growth phase
• Self-starter mentality, able to work independently in a remote setting
• Discretion and professionalism when handling commercially sensitive information
• Willingness and availability to travel regularly within Germany and DACH for retailer meetings, trade fairs, and logistics coordination (~15–20% of time)
• Flexibility to attend trade fairs (PLMA, Anuga, ISM), which are multi-day events, sometimes at short notice
Preferred
• Experience with retailer onboarding systems (Ariba, EANCOM/EDI)
• Familiarity with food safety certifications (IFS Food, BRCGS) and German packaging regulations (VerpackG)
• French language skills (useful for coordination with our French entity)
• Located in or near Unterfranken (Bayern) is a plus
What We Offer
• Opportunity to build a market from scratch, with high visibility and direct impact on company growth
• International team across UK, France, US, and Japan
• Flexible remote working arrangement with equipment provided
• Competitive compensation appropriate to experience level
• Structured onboarding with key internal teams (operations, quality, supply chain, customer service)
• Travel budget for trade fairs and retailer meetings
• Access to an innovative product category with a strong growth trajectory (freeze-dried fruit market growing at 6.7% CAGR)
Engagement & Application
This is a freelance / consultancy engagement (directly or via agency), not a permanent employment relationship. Please submit your CV along with:
• Your rate (Tagessatz or monthly fee)
• Your available capacity (hours or days per week)
• Your earliest possible start date (frühestmöglicher Eintrittstermin)
Applications in English only, please.