John Lewis Partnership
Trading Manager- Fresh
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Trading Manager- Fresh
Waitrose & Partners: Trading Manager (Fresh) – Bracknell
About the Role
Waitrose & Partners stands out with a unique business model that blends supermarket convenience with specialist food shop expertise. Combined with a fierce commitment to customers, suppliers (ensuring provenance and food traceability) and the environment, we’re determined to be the home of the Food Lover.
An exciting opportunity exists in our Buying team, within the Fresh category, reporting directly to the Head of Category Proposition Group (CPG) as part of Commercial function.
The Trading Manager is a senior-level role with responsibility for driving commercial success across designated product categories, meeting sales and profit targets via both retail and online channels, while placing customer needs at the heart of decision-making.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and coaching a team of 5-7 Buyers
- Establishing strong relationships with internal stakeholders (e.g., Own Brand, Merchandising Operations, Commercial Finance) and suppliers
- Implementing and supporting category plans to deliver commercial objectives
Job ID: #LI-HEADOFFICE | #LI-SD1
Why This Role?
Ideal for those with a proven track record in customer-centric transformation and a passion for food. Whether it’s shaping innovation on own-brand products, managing key supplier relationships, or driving operational improvements, this is your opportunity to shape the future of Waitrose’s fresh product categories.
Key Responsibilities
★ Strategic Commercial Impact
- Oversee the commercial performance of assigned category groups, ensuring alignment with Annual Operating Plan (AOP) targets across all channels (physical stores, online, B2B).
- Optimise trading plans, forecasting, space utilisation, and range alignment through cross-functional collaboration including Merchandising Operations, Commercial Finance, Value & Trade Pricing, Own Brand, and Category Management.
★ Leadership & People Management
- Manage a team of Buyers, setting high performance standards through role modelling and coaching. Foster a culture of execution efficiency in a dynamic environment.
- Work closely with the Own Brand team to drive product innovation, quality, and taste. Guide the Innovation Stage Gate process and execution of seasonal promotional events.
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★ Supplier Engagement & Negotiation
- Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, applying advanced negotiation skills to secure competitive advantage for Waitrose customers. -Champion compliance and regulatory adherence (e.g., GSCOP, Competitive Law) while securing ethical sourcing standards.
★ Data-Driven Decision Making
- Leverage analytics (Tableau, Anaplan, NielsenIQ) and trading insights to inform pricing, forecasting, space allocation, and strategy.
- Track and report on daily trading performance, key metrics, and compliance against objectives.
★ Business Visibility & Corporate Stewardship
- Act as a deputy for the Head of CPG as required, contributing to long-term 3-5 year vision for Fresh categories.
- Maintain industry awareness of competitor trends and emerging market demands.
- Embrace Partnership behaviours (collective ownership, collaboration, kindness, and respect) to drive inclusive success.
About the Partnership
We are the UK’s largest employee-owned business—a community of Partners dedicated to delivering:
- Passionate service to customers at John Lewis (Never Knowingly Undersold) and food excellence at Waitrose.
- A hybrid working model: most on-site engagement (3 days/wk), tailored flexibility to support both personal and business needs.
- Shared rewards through profit-participation, Long Service Awards, and growth opportunities.
Partners reflect our values: OWN constructively; THRIVE intentionally; BELONG proudly.
About the Opportunity
- Location: Bracknell Campus, Doncastle Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YA
- Salary: Between £75,800–£121,000 per annum, depending on experience
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Working Pattern: Hybrid model (office/remote), minimum 3 off-site days/week (office, store visits, supplier engagement).
- Hours: 35 hours/week
- Job Level: Partnership Level 5
- Interview Dates: Face-to-face from 13 July 2026
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What We’re Seeking
Essential Requirements
- Proven commercial experience at Trading Manager / Buyer level or equivalent.
- Track record of category transformation or resets, balancing stakeholder collaboration and speed of delivery.
- Strong track record in people management, coaching, strategic planning, and budget forecasting.
- Advanced negotiation background including high-value, cross-functional deals.
- Familiarty with cross-channel retail operations, stronger in fresh/cpavnette spaces.
- Commitment to Partnership ethical standards and compliance.
Desirable Skills
- Understanding of supply chain strategies (pricing negotiation frameworks, e.g., GAP analysis).
- Proficient in food/datavue analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, Anaplan, NielsenIQ).
- Experience in regulatory compliance (GSCOP, Competition Law).
- Previous exposure to roles like Category Management, Competitive Supply Operations, or Commercial Finance.
Closing Date
July 4, 2026
Pre-Employment Notice
Vetting processes apply to some roles, which may include DBS checks. Full details provided during recruitment.
Applications close early once we receive a sufficient candidate pool—Apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
Interested in flexible working? We support hybrid options, compressed hours, or other approaches. Discuss options with the hiring team during interviews.
For further details: 🔗 View: Link for video information To apply, visit: [ucat.se/role](https://www.pay British/employment/vacancies) (Omit: Link should re-redirect per vacancy posting)( timestamps act as the reference)—
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