The Trading Controller will be responsible for managing the day-to-day trading of products within assigned categories, whilst ensuring the supply of stock into the business is managed effectively, efficiently and at the lowest possible cost. More specifically the Trading Controller will:
- Successfully manage the assigned supplier base; negotiating optimum supplier terms and pricing.
- Manage supplier relationships through regular contact to improve supplier performance and build successful supply chain partnerships.
- Create and maintain an effective promotional strategy for the year to include supplier trade weeks, support for our trade weeks and retailer promotions.
- Create and maintain supplier joint business plans to optimize supplier investment.
- Maintain an effective understanding the wholesale market and keep up to date with changing trends in order to make informed buying decisions.
- Meet or exceed key performance indicators including stock holding, margin and sales.
- Adhere to the required compliance processes to ensure new suppliers are onboarded efficiently.
- Work closely with Operations to ensure stock availability is optimised and the product range meets customer expectations.
- Manage excess and short-dated stock effectively to minimise the adverse impact on the business.
- Work closely with Finance to ensure financial aspects of the supplier relationship is managed effectively.
- Work closely with sales to ensure new products are sourced in a timely fashion to agreed quantities.
- Fully comply with the prescribed buying process and maintain supplier price files and all other related information to ensure an effective and consistent approach to buying is maintained.
- Maintain a continuous improvement approach to ensure ideas are shared within the team to maximise the department’s overall performance.
Skills and experience required
- Extensive knowledge of buying licensed category within a FMCG environment.
- Strong commercial skills with a proven track record of successful supplier negotiations.
- Proven experience of successfully delivering against buying KPIs.
- Excellent communication skills with experience discussing finances, budgets and costs.
- Able to demonstrate continuous improvement through purchasing processes.
- Effective time management and organisational skills with the ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure.
- Strong IT skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and strong Excel skills.
- Driven to deliver results at pace with the passion to thrive on challenges and contribute to the continued growth of the Company.