Senior Trader (Meat) in Wolverhampton

Location: Featherstone, West Midlands. Office and hybrid working can be accommodated with this role.

Salary: Very competitive (based on individual skills, experience and potential to grow sales) + excellent benefits package including 20% bonus opportunity, Company Car or Car Allowance.

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: 40hrs p/w

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Trader to join our award-winning team working within our Fresh Foods division based in the Midlands. Office and hybrid working can be accommodated with this role.

Company Overview: 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 260 SPAR convenience stores and employs more than 5,000 people, with a turnover of £1.3 billion.

About the role: As a Senior Trader, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our forward sales and procurement strategy. Your key responsibility will be to take a lead role in shaping our purchasing and selling strategy on meat and developing new business, both directly in container loads and in pallet quantities out of our own depot. This role is as a senior leader within Blakemore Meats and will form an integral part of the senior commercial leadership driving the business forwards.

Key accountabilities:

• Source high-quality meat from UK and international suppliers, ensuring competitive pricing, timely delivery and alignment with BRC standards.
• Monitor market trends, supply, and demand dynamics to make informed trading decisions.
• Leverage your existing network of customer and supplier relationships within the meat industry.
• Be an integral part of the commercial leadership team to shape our strategy for continued growth.
• Mitigate risks associated with currency fluctuations, logistics, and market volatility.
• Develop and execute sales strategies to maximise sales and profitability.
• The effective control of waste product throughout the supply chain.
• Ensuring all administration processes are adhered to.
• Management of ranging requirements in line with the company purchasing strategy.
• Management and control of historical purchases.
• Support and promote food safety, quality, legality, and authenticity within the role.
• Ensure compliance with “The Blakemore Way” and appropriate levels of the competency framework.
• Maintain employee and organisational confidentiality in line with the Data Protection Act.
• Demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity.
• Comply with Health and Safety responsibilities in line with the Company Health, Safety and Environmental Policy.
• Comply with all other policy and legal requirements in relation to role.

Key Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Qualifications Required:

• Proven track record in meat trading, procurement and sales, with exposure to all key proteins.
• Established connections with suppliers, producers, and customers.
• Ability to analyse market data and make informed decisions.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Programs.
• Self-starter, quick to take the initiative and spot new opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships, influence, negotiate and persuade.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to use logical and creative thinking to solve problems and make decisions.
• Entrepreneurial and innovative with a delivery focus.
• Commercially focused, capable of delivering results in a cost-effective manner.
• Strong negotiation skills are essential.
• Customer focused and understands the importance of this to the business.
• Challenges appropriately and identifies areas for improvement.
• Demonstrates integrity, a strong work ethic and upholds the company values and principles.
• Ability to deal with conflict in an effective and professional manner.
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• Extremely self-motivated and driven.

What’s in it for you?

• You will play a vital role in our business and have a huge impact on our success so not only will you receive excellent training, support and continued development but we will also offer a competitive salary and superb benefits package.
• 34 days holiday per year including public holidays (Increasing after 3, 5 and 10 years).
• Use of a Company Car, or take a Car Allowance.
• Bonus of up to 20% of annual salary.
• Private medical insurance.
• Develop your skills and capability in a highly supportive and multi-diverse culture.
• Outstanding Training & Development opportunities.
• Gain hands-on experience in a high volume, fast paced environment.
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay packages.
• Flexible working hours opportunity.
• Excellent additional benefits package including: Early access to your pay through ‘EarlyPay’.
• 24/7 access to your payslips via HR/Payroll portal.
• 12.5% Staff discount on fresh items & 10% Staff Discount on ambient products in our SPAR stores (ex. Alcohol & Cigarettes).
• Wellbeing support – access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme.
• NEST pension scheme.
• Extra Holiday - Purchase Scheme.
• Long Service Awards.
• Inclusive environment: 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: Senior Category Manager, Senior Meat Trader, Senior Buyer, Commercial Lead, Supply Chain Lead, Fresh Food Trading Manager, Buying Controller, Senior Fresh Buyer, Procurement Manager, Commercial Manager, Category Lead, etc.