Head of Fresh Trading

Head of Fresh Trading

The Role

The Head of Fresh Trading is a senior role within the Trading Department, reporting to the Trading Director. The successful candidate will have responsibility for the management of the commercial metrics across Fresh and associated departments within the retail business, with management and leadership of the Fresh Trading Team.

The Head of Fresh Trading will develop and deliver ambitious commercial strategies and project plans for the Fresh categories working closely with the Category and Innovation Director and relevant BWG Symbol Sales teams.

Particular emphasis will be placed on delivering against the financial metrics for the organisation, including budgeted margin, LTA and other income. Specific accountabilities will focus on supplier partnerships within the Fresh trading area, developing and delivering against working agendas with each of the preferred supplier partners.

BWG Foods owns and operates the SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, Londis and XL brands in the Republic of Ireland, working in partnership with independent retailers with more than 1,000 stores serving local communities right across the country. The stores serve in excess of one million shoppers every single day. 

The wholesale division of BWG Foods also includes BWG Foodservice, Corrib Food Products and Williams Gate, as well as Value Centre and 4 Aces, our nationwide network of Cash and Carry branches.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Achieving budgeted LTA, Marketing and all other forms of buying income

• Delivery of the sales and margin budgets for the BWG Fresh and Central Billing business divisions

• Maintaining and improving group terms and conditions in line with overall group policy and strategy, including negotiating and agreeing purchasing terms and conditions with suppliers

• Development of agreed partnership agendas with BWG Foods ‘Preferred Supplier Partners’

• Managing and developing a specific portfolio of suppliers and brands

• Managing a portfolio of brands including product range and selection, introducing new brands and de-listing existing ranges as market conditions require

• Maintaining and improving retailer gross margins and ensuring that the retailer price file is maintained, reviewed and updated.

• Maintaining the profile of the Retailer Benefit Programme within the Fresh supplier base, and ongoing negotiations with suppliers in this regard

• Identifying new opportunities and suppliers for profitable sales development

• Meeting customer and sales requirements in terms of range, pricing, presentation and promotions

• Development of the own brand and house brand portfolio for retail brands working closely with the Private Label Manager.

• Regular retailer visits with the objective of identifying business opportunities and developing sales

• Ensuring the commercial team appropriately manages any regulatory, legislative and or revenue changes as they arise

• Co-operating, working with and supporting other members of the commercial and replenishment teams to ensure that the overall division operates as an effective and efficient unit

The Person

Candidates will be highly driven individuals with exceptional communication and negotiation skills. The successful candidate will have appropriate buying experience in the FMCG environment.  Core competencies will include strategic thinking ability, financial management, negotiating, influencing, leadership and relationship development skills coupled with a capacity for delivering results.