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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and vendor partnerships across multiple European markets.
- Company: Dynamic international company focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape product offerings.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product ranges that support thousands of customers.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in purchasing or category management with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're looking for a commercially savvy Purchasing & Assortment Manager to drive profitability, strengthen vendor partnerships, and shape the product strategy for their division across our European business. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a truly international environment, influencing product ranges that support thousands of customers.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading assortment, vendor selection, contract management and pricing across 7 core markets (UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria & Switzerland), plus coordination with Italy, Spain & France.
- Developing category and product strategies to maximise sales, margins and customer satisfaction.
- Negotiating contracts and building long-term vendor relationships.
- Managing product lifecycles, from new launches to delistings.
- Driving cost savings, own-brand development, and rebate opportunities.
- Collaborating with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and Merchandising on promotions and category performance.
- Providing market insights and managing vendor performance against agreements.
About you:
- 5+ years' purchasing and/or category management experience in an international trading environment.
- Proven track record in negotiation, vendor management and category strategy.
- Strong commercial mindset with the ability to spot risks and opportunities in data.
- Excellent stakeholder management and clear, confident communication.
- Fluent in English (other languages such as French, Dutch or German are an advantage but not essential).
- Skilled in Excel; experience with pricing management or BI tools (e.g. Power BI) a plus.
- Willingness to travel.
Head of Commercial and Procurement in Coventry employer: Viking
Contact Detail:
Viking Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial and Procurement in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a role. Attend industry events or webinars to meet new people and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their product strategies and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their success. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed vendor relationships and driven cost savings in previous roles. This is your chance to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial and Procurement in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your purchasing and category management experience, especially in an international context, to show us you're the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven profitability and built vendor relationships in the past – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Commercial Savvy: In your application, demonstrate your strong commercial mindset. Talk about how you've spotted risks and opportunities in data before, and how that has positively impacted your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Viking
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial acumen. Be prepared to discuss how you've driven profitability in previous roles, and have specific examples ready that showcase your ability to analyse data and spot opportunities.
✨Vendor Relationships Matter
Think about your past experiences with vendor management. Be ready to share stories about how you've built long-term partnerships and successfully negotiated contracts. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to talk about your approach to developing category and product strategies. Think of a time when you maximised sales or improved customer satisfaction through strategic decisions. This will demonstrate your commercial savvy.
✨Communication is Key
Since stakeholder management is crucial for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider how you can convey complex ideas simply, especially when discussing collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams.