Trading Manager

JLP Insights & Media website; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Trading Manager to lead their Grocery and Meal Solutions team. This role involves driving commercial performance, managing supplier relationships, and delivering strategic plans. The ideal candidate will inspire and coach a team of buyers while ensuring compliance with industry regulations. With a focus on innovation and excellence, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within a collaborative environment that values employee ownership and diversity.

Qualifications

• Experience at Trading Manager or Buyer level with strong results.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and inspire suppliers.
• Experience in commercial negotiations and budget forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Build and deliver the annual Category Group Plan.
• Manage performance against targets with a team of buyers.
• Negotiate with suppliers to increase margin delivery.

Skills

Commercial experience

People management

Strategic planning

Negotiation skills

Tools

BOBI

PIC

PWC

Job description

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.

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 will 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 throughout the trading year.
• Deliver sales targets and profit through strategic planning.
• Own the supplier strategy and selection supporting delivery of CSR and brand objectives.
• Manage the commercial relationships between Waitrose and suppliers.
• Ensure the correct master range assortment is in place and manage the assortment daily.
• 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 regulations.
• 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 the ability to influence internal stakeholders and inspire our suppliers to invest in Waitrose. Ideal candidates are confident, assertive, 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 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 or Buyer level, with a track 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

• Proven leadership of cross-functional teams.
• Stakeholder management experience across multiple levels.
• Knowledge of negotiating skills such as GAP approach.
• Systems use (e.g., BOBI, PIC, PWC).
• Knowledge of compliance (GSCOP, Competitive Law, etc.).
• Experience working in other directorates at an equivalent level of commercial exposure.

External candidates, please see the attached job outline for further details.

For internal use only: #LI-JLPWTR, #LI-HYBRID, #LI-HEADOFFICE, #LI-LB1.

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

Closing Date:

May 11, 2025

Pay:

£75,700 - £121,000 annually

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, home of John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As Partners, we share ownership and the responsibility for our success, working together with kindness and respect, embracing differences, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We’re focused on retail excellence, innovation, and diversification, committed to price, quality, and service. As Partners, we all own making the Partnership a place we belong, and we make a difference together.

Important points to note:

Some roles are subject to pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks and financial probity checks, if applicable. Apply early as vacancies may close early due to high application volumes.

We support flexible working arrangements, including flexible or compressed hours, job sharing, and shorter contracts. Discuss options with the hiring manager during your interview.

At Waitrose, we love food and aim to create extraordinary shopping experiences by sharing our passion with our customers.