At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to drive sales and profit in fresh food categories.
- Company: Join Waitrose & Partners, where we blend supermarket convenience with specialist food expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive exposure across the business and future progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team making a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Commercial experience in trading or buying, with strong leadership and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 75800 - 121000 £ per year.
About the role
Waitrose & Partners prides itself on being different. Our intention is to combine the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist food shop. Add this to our unswerving dedication to our customers and the highest respect for our suppliers (the provenance and traceability of our food is vital) and, of course, the environment and you can start to see we're a bit more than just a supermarket. At Waitrose we are building the home of the Food Lover, and we have ambitious plans.
There's an exciting opportunity to join our fantastic Buying team as a Trading Manager within Fresh, reporting into the Head of Category Proposition Group (CPG) as part of the Commercial function. The Trading Manager is a senior level role responsible for the commercial performance of the product categories within their remit, driving sales and profit targets across all channels (stores and online) with a customer focus. This role involves leading and coaching a team of Buyers (approx. 5-7 Buyers), fostering strong relationships with both internal stakeholders (e.g., Own Brand, Merchandising Operations, Commercial Finance) and suppliers to successfully deliver category plans. If you have a proven track record of delivering customer centric transformation and you are a food lover then please apply.
Salary - £75,800 - £121,000
Contract type - Permanent contract.
Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team are expected to be face to face 3 days a week across the office, branches and supplier visits.
Location - Bracknell Head Office
Interview Dates - Face to Face interviews from w/c 13th July
Key responsibilities
- The Trading Manager is responsible for the commercial performance of categories within their remit (Category Groups), delivering KPIs including sales and profit targets.
- Working cross-functionally, you will collaborate to optimise and deliver the annual trading plan across all channels (retail including convenience stores, online, B2B) putting the Customer at the heart of decision making.
- Key teams to partner with include Merchandising Operations (Supply Chain), Commercial Finance, Commercial Management, Category Management, Value and Trade Planning, Space and Range and Own Brand.
- Leading a team of Buyers, you inspire high standards of delivery through role modelling and coaching, helping the team to prioritise within a fast paced, changing environment.
- Collaborating with the Own Brand team you'll be an advocate for product quality, taste and market leading innovation, guiding the team through the Innovation Stage Gate process and in planning key seasonal Events to achieve commercial success.
- You will build relationships and collaborate with key contacts within the Supply Base across Own Brand and Branded Suppliers, requiring excellent negotiation and influencing skills to achieve positive outcomes for Waitrose and our customers.
- You apply a rigorous and diligent approach to overseeing key cross-functional processes to achieve deadlines including reporting on Trading performance, planning Secondary Space and Forecasting.
- You leverage multiple data points to inform decision making applying data and insight capability with a continuous improvement mindset.
- As a senior member of the Trading Leadership team you will feed into the 3-5 year vision for the CPG and deputize for the Head of CPG within key workstreams when necessary.
- At all times you will have a close eye on the competitor and industry landscape.
- As a co-owner you'll role model the Partnership Behaviours and strive to make the world a better place through your impact.
- This role has extensive exposure across the business which provides excellent opportunity for career growth and scope for future progression.
Essential skills/experience you'll need
- Commercial experience ideally at Trading Manager level, Buyer level or equivalent with a record of delivering strong results.
- Leading Category Transformation/Resets with pace and collaboration.
- Experience in people management and coaching.
- Experience in creating and delivering strategic plans and budget forecasts.
- Experience in significant commercial negotiations.
- Cross-functional stakeholder management experience across multiple levels.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Knowledge of negotiating skills such as GAP approach.
- Proficient systems use (e.g. in Waitrose these include Tableau, Anaplan, NielsenIQ).
- Knowledge of Compliance (GSCOP, Competitive Law etc).
- Experience working in other relevant functions (eg. Category Management, Supply Operations, Commercial Finance).
Trading Manager- Fresh in Bracknell employer: Waitrose & Partners
Waitrose & Partners is an exceptional employer that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture. With a commitment to customer satisfaction and sustainability, the company offers competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic team environment. Located in Bracknell, employees benefit from a vibrant office atmosphere and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the food retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trading Manager- Fresh in Bracknell
✨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 Waitrose & Partners, 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 Waitrose & Partners!
We think you need these skills to ace Trading Manager- Fresh in Bracknell
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 Waitrose & Partners, 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 Waitrose & Partners 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 Waitrose & Partners that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waitrose & Partners
✨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!
