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- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy, manage supplier relationships, and oversee category performance.
- Company: Join Pet Drugs Online, a leading vet-run supplier of pet medication in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 5 weeks holiday, birthday off, and discounts on products.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly, dog-friendly team making a real impact in pet healthcare.
- Qualifications: Experience in e-commerce and category management; degree in Business or Marketing preferred.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Keynsham, Bristol (this role offers the option of hybrid working, with the expectation of attending the office a minimum of 3 times per week)
About Us
Founded in 2005, Pet Drugs Online has grown to become one of the UK's largest, most-trusted, vet-run suppliers of veterinary medication and animal products licensed in the UK. Not only are we one of the UK's largest retailers of pet medication; we're also part of IVC Evidensia, the UK's and Europe's largest veterinary group with over 1,500 practices spanning eleven countries.
About the role
The Category and Trading Director will lead the commercial strategy for Pet Drugs Online, focusing on category management, trading planning, pricing, propositional development, and margin improvement. This role requires a strategic leader with a deep understanding of e-commerce dynamics and ideally the pet healthcare market.
About you
- Demonstrable experience in a senior commercial or category management role within e-commerce, preferably in the pet healthcare or retail sector.
- Strong negotiation skills with a track record of securing advantageous supplier agreements.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions.
- Excellent leader with team management abilities.
- Proficiency in e-commerce platforms and digital marketing strategies.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a confident, enthusiastic approach and a can-do attitude.
- Experience of building sound business cases to support business objectives.
- Able to prioritise and deliver complex projects and self-motivate, whilst working to strict deadlines and targets.
- Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
What you'll do
- Provide financial and operational analysis and decision support to the UK E-Commerce operation.
- Develop and implement negotiation strategies to secure favourable terms with suppliers, including pricing, promotions, and exclusive products.
- Foster strong relationships with key suppliers and identify opportunities for new partnerships to enhance the product portfolio and category performance.
- Oversee the product assortment, ensuring a comprehensive range that meets customer needs and market trends.
- Analyse sales data to inform decisions on product lifecycle, inventory levels, fulfilment routes and discontinuations.
- Manage performance across all sales channels, including the e-commerce platform and third-party marketplaces.
- Collaborate with marketing and operations teams to optimize channel strategies and enhance customer experience.
- Develop and execute trading plans aligned with business objectives and seasonal trends.
- Implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with profitability, considering market dynamics and customer expectations.
- Innovate and enhance the value proposition of product offerings, ensuring alignment with brand positioning and customer needs.
- Lead initiatives to introduce new products or services that drive customer engagement and sales growth.
- Drive initiatives to improve the customer experience; website, fulfilment and customer service.
What you'll get in return:
True to our values, we care about our employees and genuinely want our teams to have the best experience at work possible. You will work with our friendly teams in a dog-friendly office environment.
Our benefits:
- 5 weeks holiday (increasing with service) plus bank holidays
- Your birthday as a paid day off each year
- PMI Cover
- Company bonus
- Discounts across our products together with discounted veterinary fees within IVCE practices - up to 50%
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Bring your dog to work
- Company pension - Employee 5% / Employer 3%
- EAP and supportive wellbeing programmes
- Family friendly policies
Additional information:
We welcome applications from people across all communities and backgrounds. We recognise that a diverse workforce supports our commitment to building an inclusive working environment where our team members can thrive and reach their full potential. Access to our rewards platform where you can enjoy discounts with a wide variety of retailers.
Category & Trading Director employer: British Veterinary Association
Contact Detail:
British Veterinary Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category & Trading Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the pet healthcare market and e-commerce trends. Understanding the specific dynamics of this sector will help you speak confidently about your insights during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the pet healthcare and e-commerce industries. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide valuable insights or even referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes in securing supplier agreements. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills and achievements in this area.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical skills by being prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Highlight any tools or methodologies you've employed to analyse sales data effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Category & Trading Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in e-commerce and category management, particularly within the pet healthcare or retail sector. Use specific examples to demonstrate your negotiation skills and analytical mindset.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with their needs, particularly your experience in developing trading plans and managing supplier relationships.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your leadership abilities in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects, focusing on your capacity to motivate others and deliver results under pressure.
Highlight Analytical Skills: Since the role requires an analytical mindset, include specific instances where you've interpreted complex data to make informed decisions. This could involve sales data analysis or market trend assessments that led to successful outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Veterinary Association
✨Showcase Your E-Commerce Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience in e-commerce, especially within the pet healthcare or retail sector. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you've implemented and how they positively impacted sales or customer engagement.
✨Demonstrate Strong Negotiation Skills
Since the role involves commercial negotiations, come equipped with examples of successful supplier agreements you've secured. Discuss your approach to negotiation and how you build relationships with suppliers to enhance product offerings.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
The role requires an analytical mindset, so be ready to interpret complex data. Bring examples of how you've used data analysis to inform decisions on product lifecycle, inventory management, or pricing strategies.
✨Exhibit Leadership Qualities
As a Category and Trading Director, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Share your experiences in team management, focusing on how you've motivated your team and delivered results under pressure while meeting strict deadlines.
