Trainee Trader

Dole UK Ltd; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in fresh produce is looking for a Graduate Trainee – Fresh Produce Trader. This role offers hands-on learning in procurement and sales within the dynamic FMCG sector, emphasizing teamwork, commercial awareness, and strategic problem-solving. Candidates should have a minimum 2:2 degree in relevant fields, along with strong communication and IT skills. Opportunities for career progression and professional development are integral to this position.

Qualifications

• Degree 2:2 or higher in relevant fields.
• Motivated, flexible, and innovative thinker.
• Excellent communication and IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Learn procurement and sales on the trading desk.
• Increase business for berries and cherries with food service customers.
• Build a dashboard for live trading information.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

IT literacy

Education

Minimum 2:2 degree in Agriculture/Economics/Marketing/Business Management/International Trade

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Graduate Trainee – Fresh Produce Trader

LOCATION: Kingston-upon-Thames

REPORTS TO: Commercial Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a graduate trainee within the Imports division of Dole UK you will learn about fresh produce procurement and sales to the wholesale, food service and catering sectors.

• You will spend time working on a trading desk learning how to procure and sell produce to an array of internal and external customers
• You will work on a range of projects with different customers alongside colleagues who will provide guidance and support as you develop your skill set
• We will provide on the job learning and experiences giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the Dole UK Imports business

• This is a dynamic role that will allow you to get close to the supply chain within in the fresh produce industry and give you a first-hand understanding of how this directly affects pricing strategies

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Spend time with each trader to learn the specifics of their role, relationships and product responsibilities to gain detailed knowledge of the operations on each part of the desk and become a member of the team who can cover all team member’s responsibilities on procurement and sales
• Increase fixed price and programmed business on berries and cherries through adding new food service customers. Additionally, research the “quick commerce” sector to advise on a strategy to enable us to gain business with companies who represent the best opportunity for us to supply
• Build a dashboard system of live information to assist with daily trading decisions. Using the information in the ERP system coupled with tools available in MS teams and office packaging, implement an office wide tool that allows traders to analyse and use information quickly when making decisions

EXPERIENCE/ABOUT YOU

• Commercial awareness to enable you to provide support to the colleagues that you will work with and to navigate evolving customer needs
• Determination to understand what we do and an enthusiasm to learn more about our diverse and dynamic business
• Motivation and ambition to develop in an FMCG business

• An innovative thinker with a flexible approach who is open to new ways of operating and can adapt to evolving business needs
• A high degree of ownership and problem solving, taking an organised and strategic approach to managing workload
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interpret requirements and report in an easily understandable format

• A team player who is comfortable working collaboratively across a broad range of projects
• IT literate with excellent Microsoft Word and Excel skills

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 2:2 degree in either:
  • Agriculture / Economics / Marketing / Business Management / International Trade