At a Glance
- Tasks: Maximise sales and cash margin through effective negotiations and promotions.
- Company: Dynamic retail and wholesale business with a commitment to exceptional customer experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, generous discounts, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities.
- Why this job: Join a thriving company and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years as a Buyer/Trader with strong negotiation skills and industry knowledge.
Location: Willenhall (West Midlands)
Salary: Competitive, plus Company Car (or Car Allowance) plus excellent benefits package
We have an exciting opportunity for a Trading Controller, who is passionate about their role in offering excellent service and standards to our customers. We are looking for someone who is motivated, friendly, and able to work on their own initiative and raise concerns where appropriate.
The key purpose of this role is to maximise sales, cash margin and percentage GP within a range of defined commodity groups through effective negotiations, promotions, and range management. It also involves optimising the supply chain to ensure full availability of the product range whilst working within agreed stock holding parameters, specifically the stock value targets set by the business. Short dated, quarantined and eliminated stock must be controlled to ensure minimal impact to the bottom line.
The Role
- Deliver annual sales, profit and supplier income in line with the budgeted ask
- Negotiate an annual JBP for all key suppliers, incorporating a planned promotional activity plan which is effective, competitive and supplier funded, driving the performance of sales and cash profit for the group
- Negotiate annual trading terms which are favourable to the previous trading year with all key suppliers, delivering the budgeted supplier income number
- Develop new initiatives and areas of business which will drive incremental sales and cash profit year on year
- Maintain prices in line with Wholesale and Retail policies
- Work in conjunction with Sales and Operational teams across the business to ensure all areas are profitable
- Source, interpret and make recommendations relating to any significant market changes that may impact performance in the market for the defined areas of control
- Work internally with supply chain and externally with suppliers to forecast stock requirements including promotions and seasonal fluctuations
What We're Looking For
- Minimum of 5 years as a Buyer / Trader within a leading Wholesaler or Retailer; a combination of both is highly desirable
- Experience within the Fresh sector is preferable
- Previous experience in a similar role managing people, with a track record of success, is essential
- Demonstrable experience in managing categories from procurement of stock through to marketing and delivery to the consumer
- Excellent industry knowledge, including specific product knowledge, to deliver a targeted offering to customers
- Experience of negotiating with senior personnel within 'Blue Chip' suppliers
Who Are We
We are a dynamic and innovative retail, wholesale and foodservice business, committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and staying at the forefront of industry trends. A company that now owns 303 SPAR convenience stores and employs more than 6,000 people, with a turnover of £1.3 billion.
What's In It For You
- Develop your skills and capability in a highly supportive and multi-diverse culture
- Outstanding training & development
- Gain hands-on experience in a high volume, fast paced environment
- Excellent benefits package including: Holiday, maternity and paternity leave and pay in excess of statutory entitlements
- Generous staff discount in all our SPAR stores (excl. alcohol & cigarettes)
- Proactive promotion of internal candidates
- 24/7 access to your payslips and rotas via HR/Payroll portal
- Wellbeing support - access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice
- Company pension scheme NEST pension scheme
- Company life insurance worth 1 x annual salary and 6 x annual salary with company pension scheme
- Extra holidays purchase scheme
- Long service awards
As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we are dedicated to creating a fair, inclusive workplace for all. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
You may have experience in the following: Trading Controller, Category Manager, Buyer, Senior Buyer, Trading Manager, Category Buyer, Commercial Buyer, Procurement Manager, Fresh Category Manager, Wholesale Trading Manager, Retail Buyer, Supply Chain Manager.
Trading Controller employer: AF Blakemore
At A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that values the growth and development of our employees. With a strong commitment to innovation and community engagement, we offer a supportive work culture where your contributions directly impact our success. Join us in Wolverhampton, where you can thrive in a collaborative environment while enjoying the benefits of working for one of the UK's largest privately owned businesses.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trading Controller
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like AF Blakemore, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like AF Blakemore!
We think you need these skills to ace Trading Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at AF Blakemore, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at AF Blakemore and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show AF Blakemore that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at AF Blakemore
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
