Trading Manager

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.
We have an exciting opportunity to join our fantastic Buying team as a Trading Manager in Grocery and Meal Solutions, reporting into the Head of Category Proposition Group. 
The Trading Manager holds overall responsibility for the commercial performance of the categories within their remit (Category Groups). By leading and working collaboratively with the wider team of stakeholders operating within their areas of responsibility, the Trading Manager is responsible for the delivery of shared KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). As a leader of buying teams you will inspire success through effective role modelling, training and coaching to deliver successful matrix working, supporting negotiations and escalations. Trading Managers support dotted line reporting for other functions where required and will deputise for the Head of Category Trading within key work streams, when necessary to enable teams to deliver their category plans.

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About the role 

• Contract Type: 1 x permanent position 

• Location: Bracknell based with hybrid working with an expectation to go into the office around 2-3 days per week

• Salary range: £75,700 - £121,000

• Partnership Level: 5

• Interviews: in person w/c 19th May 

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will;

• Build the annual Category Group Plan and supporting Category Plans taking direction from the wider Business and Category Proposition Plan, trade planning, supplier brand plans, category data and customer insight. Your Category Group Plans to include your Trade/Promotional Plans.

• Deliver your Category Group Plan with your team of buyers and other stakeholders, managing performance against targets and adjusting activity accordingly.

• Provide accurate forecasts and cost options for change through the Trading year.

• Deliver sales targets and profit through plans

• Own the supplier strategy and selection supporting delivery of CSR and brand objectives 

• Own the commercial relationships between Waitrose and suppliers 

• Ensure the correct master range assortment is in place 

• Day to day management of the assortment 

• Negotiate with suppliers to increase margin delivery in line with CSR policies

• Operate in line with GSCoP (Grocery Code of Practice), Competition Law and Anti-Bribery

• Be responsible for the culture and happiness of Partners in your team and the wider team.

This role would suit someone who is self motivated, with an ability to influence internal stakeholders and inspire our suppliers to invest in Waitrose. Ideal for a confident, assertive person, with good communication and numerical skills - able to inspire, coach and train other buyers both inside and outside their team. The ability to work within a matrix management structure, with the confidence to cross the boundaries of hard line reporting is crucial. Creativity and a passion for products are also desirable.

This is a people manager role with 5 direct reports (Buyers).

Essential skills/experience you’ll need 

• Commercial experience ideally at Trading Manager level, or Buyer level or equivalent with a record of delivering strong results. 

• Experience in people management, coaching and mentoring

• Experience in creating and delivering strategic plans and budget forecasts

• Experience in significant commercial negotiations

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• A proven leader of cross functional teams

• Stakeholder management experience across multiple levels

• Knowledge of negotiating skills such as GAP approach

• Systems use (e.g. in Waitrose these include BOBI, PIC, PWC)

• Knowledge of Compliance (GSCOP, Competitive Law etc)

• Worked in other directorates at equivalent level of commercial experience/ exposure.

External candidates please see the job outline attached to this vacancy for further details. 

For internal use only:

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To learn more about this role, please copy and paste this link into a new browser window: https://embed.wirewax.com/8114190

Closing Date:

May 11, 2025

Pay:

£75,700.00 - £121,000.00 Annual

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours of Work:

35 hours per week, Mon-Fri

Job Level:

Partnership Level 5

Where You'll Be Working:

Bracknell Campus, Doncastle Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YA

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.