Head Of Category (Grocery) - Head Office, Deeside

Iceland Foods; Shotton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading grocery retailer is seeking an experienced professional to lead cross-functional teams and drive profitable sales growth through strategic category management. Responsibilities include delivering sales and profitability targets, overseeing product quality and food safety, and building strong supplier relationships. The ideal candidate must have over 6 years of buying experience, strong negotiation and analytical skills, and leadership abilities to influence key stakeholders effectively.

Benefits

15% discount in Iceland stores

30% discount at Club Individual Restaurants

33 days holiday (including bank holidays)

Pension (NEST)

Free onsite parking

Onsite electric car charging ports

Subsidised staff restaurant

Christmas vouchers

Refer a Friend Scheme

Christmas Savings scheme

Discounted dry cleaning

Long service awards

Qualifications

• 6+ years of buying experience required.
• Ability to influence and inspire key stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of market conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams in achieving profitable sales growth.
• Deliver strategic category plans and negotiate with suppliers.
• Oversee product quality and food safety.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Food knowledge

Job description

Lead cross-functional teams and build long term supplier relationships particularly within Branded FMCG to deliver budgeted sales / margin / commercial income through value and innovation focussed category strategies; often in areas that require increased complexity and/ or experience. Responsibilities for the wider Trading team to support the Trading Director., DRIVE PROFITABLE SALES GROWTH

• Responsible for c.50% of Ambient Grocery Iceland Sales
• Deliver strategic category plans through Range Review process
• Wider strategic influence and contribution to Trading Directors plan that benefits the overall business
• Negotiate lower costs through full use of costing sheets, full use of the grey team, tear downs and GAP led supplier negotiations (full responsibility end to end)
• Lead negotiations on behalf of the wider team with key suppliers/ brands that are cross category or require additional experience to manage
• Utilisation of 'Plan B' suppliers to create necessary tension and improve Trading manager knowledge
• Delivery of accurate financial forecast on time to the Trading Director (must not be delegated)
• Weekly reporting of accurate sales and profitability information to the Trading Director
• Deliver the High Plan commercial budget covering sales and e2e profitability., Wholesale management of the NPD process and progress for the Trading Director
• Coordination of seasonal events across the wider team including price, promotion and differentiation in-line with Trading Director's vision
• Full responsibility for organising and delivery Range Reviews, including strategic category proposals (TD Head of Development and MD present at a minimum)
• Identification of key points of difference and innovation that enable a market leading product range, complimented with exclusivity agreements surrounding the supply base and/ or concepts
• Delivery of all agreed actions through range review process
• Full responsibility for transposing range plans and actions into merchandising planograms (via specified in-direct merchandising report). This includes all stores sizes and fixturisation that meet the ruleset laid out by the Trading Director
• Full accountability for the prevention/ resolution for all supply and availability issues end to end with a clear plan for stores
• Ensure a minimum of 1 competitor shop per fortnight to deliver increased market awareness and shop floor understanding
• Ensure full knowledge of market pricing and deliver competitivity in line with Trading Director's plan
• Coordinate and deliver monthly pricing meeting for the Trading Director and wider team

FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY COMES FIRST

• Full responsibility for product quality and food safety end to end. Managed and delivered via a designated Food Technologist
• Ensuring key KPI's are met surrounding customer complaints and quality (e.g. CPMU's, 1 Stars)
• Responsible for organising, leading and diarising Ice-Checks via specified Technologist with subsequent proactive management of issues
• Compulsory attendance to 1 Star Reviews and lead
• Set and agree industry benchmark for all own label products and operate quality enhancements around this
• Full responsibility for setting and agreeing detailed specifications via specified technologist that protect quality ongoing

KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT TO REDUCE COSTS

• Full responsibility for de-ranger and discontinued budget requiring weekly meetings to keep this to an absolute minimum
• Full responsibility for wastage budget and reduction and weekly management to optimise costs and margin
• Organisation and running of relevant Disc & Deranger meetings for the Trading Director cross-functionally
• Adherence to all policies to ensure the smooth running of the department
• Full responsibility for accuracy of administration meeting agreed administration error targets
• Coordinate tasks (unprompted)

LOOKING AFTER GREAT PEOPLE & SUPPLIERS

• Building strong partnerships and relationships in order to drive strategic category plans and differentiation; ensuring decision makers are the key point of contact e.g. Commercial Director or equivalent
• Honouring the GSCOP guidelines laid out by the government to protect Iceland's reputation as a brand
• Ensure all supply agreements and JBP's are sales driven with 12 month rolling plans (cost + ORD only)
• Management of several ancillary responsibilities for the wider team that often require increased experience and complexity (e.g. Merchandising, Pricing, Channel Plans)
• Clear delegation of all administrative activities (excluding Forecasting) to the Trading Administration Team via specified Trading Assistant (in-direct report)
• Clear communication and delegation to dedicated Merchandiser to execute category plans
• Compulsory mini team meetings to take place each week with key stakeholders. Led by the Trading Manager
• Responsibility for coaching and developing less experienced members of the team across a variety of trading activities (e.g. forecasting, negotiations, range reviews)
• Line management responsibility for departmental graduates (where evident)
• Line management responsibilities for sub-teams that are crucial to the role (e.g. Iceland Manufacturing)
• Manages the delivery of projects that are exceptional to standard Trading duties (including trials)
• Organise and structure the weekly Team meeting for the Trading director (incl. agenda, content and minutes)
• Cover for the Trading Director when absent
• Challenges financial decisions taking into account risks, losses and market conditions to drive performance.
• Influences and inspires to engage people to deliver excellence and positive behaviour across the function.
• Drives business performance by networking outside Iceland to benchmark against the market place.
• Empowering others whilst taking personal accountability for managing performance and business decisions.
• Leads change, inspiring confidence and buy in at all levels with the ability to influence key stakeholders.
• Turns industry strategic and cultural best practice into great Iceland practices.
• Highly analytical and numerate
• Excellent communication skills
• Expert negotiation skills (supported by GAP training)
• Resilience and ability to work at pace
• Food knowledge, passion and expertise
• Leadership cross-functionally and amongst peers (TM's)
• >6 years Buying experience

Benefits

• 15% discount in Iceland stores
• 30% discount at Club Individual Restaurants
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Pension (NEST)
• Free onsite parking
• Onsite electric car charging ports
• Subsidised staff restaurant and Costa Coffee
• Christmas vouchers
• Refer a Friend Scheme
• Christmas Savings scheme
• Discounted dry cleaning
• Long service awards