Head of Trading (Ambient) Group Trading

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to work scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Company Pension Scheme

Company Car or Car Allowance

Staff discount on items

Wellbeing support

Job summary

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is seeking a Head of Trading to lead Ambient ranges for SPAR retail and wholesale, covering BWS, C&T and Soft Drinks. You will own P&L, drive margin and supplier terms, and lead a team of four trading specialists.

Based in Willenhall or Talbot Green with remote working, the role emphasizes insight-led decision making, strategic leadership and cross-functional collaboration to shape a market-leading product portfolio.

Qualifications

• Own the P&L across Ambient categories with pricing and margin strategies.
• Secure market-leading supplier terms, volume rebates and long-term supply agreements.
• Continuously analyse commodity markets to mitigate cost price increases.
• Ensure sourced vendors meet strict food safety standards and specifications.
• Lead, mentor and upskill a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Drive range rationalisation and supplier delivery alignment to minimise SKU complexity.
• Champion cross-functional alignment on range architecture and retailer offers.
• Ensure procurement decisions balance profitability with operations and logistics needs.
• Secure and validate that ranges meet retailer and customer requirements and SLAs.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of specialists.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Establish objectives, development plans and performance metrics.
• Build succession pipelines and identify future talent needs.

Skills

P&L ownership

Pricing strategy

Supplier negotiations

Cost management

Leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Range rationalisation

Shopper & retailer focus

Job description

Based in either our Willenhall (West Midlands) depot or Talbot Green (South Wales) depot, with remote working

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Trading covering BWS, C&T and Soft Drinksto join our AFB team; leading a team of 4direct reports,ensuring that theylead and drive the commercial growth, procurement excellence, and net profit development of Ambient goods across the SPAR retail and wholesale business.

Reporting to the Trading Directorthis high-impact role is key to driving commercial performance through insight led decision making, precision execution, and strategic leadership. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping a market leading product portfolio for SPAR stores and customers while leading a team of Trading specialists and working cross functionally across the business.

About Us

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is a dynamic, family-owned business with a proud heritage dating back to 1917. As one of the UK’s largest privately owned companies, we employ over 7,000 people and generate a turnover of £1.1 billion. Ranked among the UK’s top 100 private businesses, we’re passionate about food, innovation, and service. Our operations span retail, wholesale distribution, foodservice, fresh meat and logistics.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Maximise Net Profit:Own the P&L performance across key Ambient categories, implementing advanced pricing models and margin management strategies to protect the bottom line.
• Advanced Supplier Negotiations:Secure market leading corporate terms, volume rebates, and long term supply agreements with suppliers to benefit SPAR retailers.
• Cost Mitigation: Continuously analyse commodity markets and inflation trends to proactively mitigate cost price increases (CPIs) and protect business viability
• Compliance & Safety Assurance:Ensure all sourced vendors and products comply with strict food safety standards, allergen tracking, and technical specifications.
• Capability Building:Lead, mentor, and upskill a high-performing team, fostering a culture of sharp commercial accountability.
• Distribution Centre (DC) Efficiency:Drive range rationalisation and supplier delivery alignment to minimise SKU complexity, improve warehouse space utilisation, and maximise operational throughput in the RDCs and DCs.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Champion cross-functional collaboration on range architecture and retailer offers, ensuring procurement decisions balance commercial profitability with operations, logistics, and retailer and shopper needs.
• Retailer & Customer Requirement Execution: Secure and validate that all sourced ranges directly reflect and fulfil strict retailer and customer requirements, bespoke specifications, and service-level agreements.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of specialists
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Establish clear objectives, development plans and performance metrics
• Build succession pipelines and identify future talent needs

What's in it for you:

You will play a key role in our organisation and make a significant contribution to our ongoing success. In return, we offer comprehensive training, ongoing support, and continuous development opportunities — along with a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

• 34 days holiday per year including public holidays (Increasing after 3, 5 and 10 years)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Develop your skills and capability in a highly supportive and multi-diverse culture
• Gain hands‑on experience in a high volume, fast paced environment
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay packages
• Flexible working hours opportunity
• Excellent additional benefits package including:
  • Early access to your pay through ‘EarlyPay’
  • 24/7 access to your payslips via HR/Payroll portal
  • 12.5% Staff discount on fresh items & 10% Staff Discount on ambient products in our SPAR stores (ex. Alcohol & Cigarettes)
  • Wellbeing support – access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice
  • Company Pension Scheme
  • Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme
  • NEST pension scheme
  • Extra Holiday - Purchase Scheme
  • Long Service Awards

Inclusive environment: as a Disability Confident Committed employer we are dedicated to creating a fair, inclusive workplace for all. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

Department

Group Trading

Contract type

Permanent

Hours

competitive Plus Company Car (or Car Allowance) plus excellent benefits

Private Medical Insurance, Company Sick Pay Scheme, Additional Holidays, Private Health Insurance, Company Pension Scheme, Staff Discount, Long Service Awards, Life Cover, Cycle to Work Scheme, Employee Volunteering Opportunities, Company Vehicle commensurate with job role.

Closing date for applications

15th October, 2026