At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead trading strategies for Beers, Wines & Spirits and drive sales growth.
- Company: Join a leading UK Consumer Retail business with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £120,000 plus performance-related bonus and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Head Office role in London with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a major BWS portfolio and influence key supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in Trading, Buying or Category Management within retail.
The predicted salary is between 108000 - 132000 £ per year.
Do you have extensive experience leading Buying, Trading or Category teams within Beers, Wines & Spirits?
Have you built and delivered trading strategies that drive sales, margin and long-term category growth?
Are you ready to take ownership of a significant BWS portfolio, leading major supplier relationships and influencing the wider direction of the business?
Mac Gregor Black are partnering with a leading UK Consumer Retail business on the search for a Trading Director – Beers, Wines & Spirits. This is a permanent role based in London.
This is a significant opportunity to take responsibility for the trading strategy and commercial performance of a large Beers, Wines & Spirits portfolio.
The successful candidate will shape the direction of the category, lead relationships and negotiations with major drinks suppliers, and work across the business to deliver sustainable sales and profitability.
The role could suit an established Trading or Buying Director, or an experienced Head of Trading, Head of Buying or Category Controller looking to step into a broader Director-level position with greater ownership and influence.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver the overall trading strategy across Beers, Wines & Spirits.
- Take responsibility for driving sales, margin, profitability and overall category performance.
- Lead major supplier negotiations, ensuring strong commercial terms and sustainable long-term partnerships.
- Build strategic relationships with key drinks suppliers and identify opportunities to unlock additional value and investment.
- Oversee ranging, pricing, promotional and category plans across the BWS portfolio.
- Identify changing customer behaviours, market trends and emerging opportunities across beer, wine and spirits.
- Use commercial data and insight to challenge performance and inform trading decisions.
- Work closely with Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Operations and other Trading teams to deliver commercial objectives.
- Lead, coach and develop the BWS trading team, setting clear expectations and creating a high-performance environment.
- Ensure trading strategy is translated into effective execution across the wider business.
- Represent the BWS category with key suppliers and partners across the drinks industry.
What We're Looking For
- Significant experience within Trading, Buying or Category Management, ideally within a sizeable retail, grocery, convenience or consumer business.
- Strong knowledge of the Beers, Wines & Spirits market and the commercial dynamics of the category. WSET or similar strongly desired.
- Proven experience managing significant supplier relationships and leading complex commercial negotiations.
- Strong understanding of pricing, promotions, ranging, supplier investment and margin management.
- Evidence of delivering measurable sales, margin and profitability improvements.
- Experience leading and developing Buying, Trading or Category teams.
- Strong commercial judgement with the confidence to make decisions and challenge existing ways of working.
- Comfortable using data and insight to identify opportunities and shape commercial strategy.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience influencing at Director and Board level.
- Able to combine long-term strategic thinking with the pace and hands-on decision making required within a fast-moving trading environment.
- Salary & Benefits
- Base salary up to £120,000
- Performance-related bonus
- Comprehensive benefits package
This is a Head Office-based position in London, working onsite five days per week.
Please contact Kieron Hall at Mac Gregor Black for more information.
Trading Director in London employer: MacGregor Black
MacGregor Black is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and dynamic work environment in our Newcastle & Leeds offices. We prioritise employee growth through tailored development programmes and a meritocratic bonus structure, ensuring that your hard work is recognised and rewarded. Join us to become an expert in the recruitment industry while enjoying significant benefits and a supportive culture that fosters long-term career aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trading Director in London
✨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 MacGregor Black, 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 MacGregor Black!
We think you need these skills to ace Trading Director in London
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 MacGregor Black, 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 MacGregor Black 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 MacGregor Black that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black
✨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!
