- Company Name
- Waitrose & Partners
- Job Title
- Trading Manager, Waitrose Commercial
- Job Description
-
**Job Title:** Trading Manager
**Role Summary:**
Leads commercial performance for assigned product categories across all retail channels, driving sales and profit targets while championing the customer experience. Manages and coaches a team of approximately seven Buyers, collaborates with cross‑functional partners, and negotiates with both branded and own‑brand suppliers to deliver the annual trading plan.
**Expectations:**
- Achieve category KPIs (sales, margin, profitability) across stores, online and B2B.
- Inspire and develop the Buyer team to meet fast‑paced, changing priorities.
- Build strong supplier relationships and secure favorable commercial terms.
- Provide data‑driven insights and continuous improvement of trading processes.
- Contribute to long‑term (3‑5 year) category strategy and act as deputy for the Head of Category Proposition Group when needed.
**Key Responsibilities:**
- Own and deliver the annual trading plan for designated categories, meeting sales and profit targets.
- Lead, coach, and performance‑manage a team of Buyers.
- Partner with Merchandising Operations, Commercial Finance, Category Management, Value & Trade Planning, Space & Range, and Own Brand teams to align initiatives.
- Oversee innovation stage‑gate process and seasonal event planning to drive market‑leading product launches.
- Negotiate and manage contracts with branded and own‑brand suppliers, applying strong influencing skills.
- Monitor and report trading performance, secondary space allocation, and forecasting accuracy.
- Analyse market, competitor, and consumer data (e.g., Tableau, Anaplan, NielsenIQ) to inform decisions.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., competition law, GSCOP).
- Contribute to senior trading leadership discussions and long‑term category vision.
**Required Skills:**
- Proven commercial track record at Trading Manager, Buyer or equivalent level.
- Strong people‑management and coaching experience.
- Demonstrated ability to create and deliver strategic plans and budget forecasts.
- Expertise in commercial negotiations and influencing stakeholders.
- Excellent cross‑functional collaboration across senior levels.
- Data‑analysis proficiency; familiarity with Tableau, Anaplan, NielsenIQ preferred.
- Sound knowledge of compliance and competition regulations (desirable).
**Required Education & Certifications:**
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) are advantageous but not mandatory.
Bracknell, United kingdom
Hybrid
25-02-2026