<dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleInline">Ref</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementInline">211359</dd><dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleInline AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem">Category</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementInline AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem">Buying/Packaging</dd><dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleInline">Location</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementInline axiom1-0 axiom-scraped-1">Head Office, Deeside</dd><dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleInline AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem">Contract type</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementInline AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem axiom3-0 axiom-scraped-3">Full time</dd><dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleInline">Salary</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementInline axiom2-0 axiom-scraped-2">Competitive</dd><dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleInline AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem">Company</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementInline AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem"><img src="https://jobs.icelandcareers.co.uk/assets/images/Iceland.png"></dd><dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleWide">Description</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementWide"><p>As one of the Best Big Companies to Work For, we have a rich history of loving our customers and looking after our teams.</p><p>We understand that success is achieved through our people, and we are searching for a committed and passionate Head of Category to join our growing business on a <strong>permanent basis.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Purpose of the role:</strong></p><p>To lead cross-functional teams and build long term supplier relationships particularly within Branded FMCG to deliver budgeted sales / margin / commercial income through value and innovation focussed category strategies; often in areas that require increased complexity and/ or experience.</p><p><strong>What I will do in my job:</strong></p><p><strong>DRIVE PROFITABLE SALES GROWTH</strong></p><ul><li>Responsible for c.50% of Ambient Grocery Iceland Sales</li><li>Deliver strategic category plans through Range Review process</li><li>Wider strategic influence and contribution to Trading Directors plan that benefits the overall business</li><li>Negotiate lower costs through full use of costing sheets, full use of the grey team, tear downs and GAP led supplier negotiations (full responsibility end to end)</li><li>Lead negotiations on behalf of the wider team with key suppliers/ brands that are cross category or require additional experience to manage</li><li>Utilisation of ‘Plan B’ suppliers to create necessary tension and improve Trading manager knowledge</li><li>Delivery of accurate financial forecast on time to the Trading Director (must not be delegated)</li><li>Weekly reporting of accurate sales and profitability information to the Trading Director</li><li>Deliver the High Plan commercial budget covering sales and e2e profitability.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>INNOVATION AND GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS</strong></p><ul><li>Wholesale management of the NPD process and progress for the Trading Director</li><li>Coordination of seasonal events across the wider team including price, promotion and differentiation in-line with Trading Director’s vision</li><li>Full responsibility for organising and delivery Range Reviews, including strategic category proposals (TD Head of Development and MD present at a minimum)</li><li>Identification of key points of difference and innovation that enable a market leading product range, complimented with exclusivity agreements surrounding the supply base and/ or concepts</li><li>Delivery of all agreed actions through range review process</li><li>Full responsibility for transposing range plans and actions into merchandising planograms (via specified in-direct merchandising report). This includes all stores sizes and fixturisation that meet the ruleset laid out by the Trading Director</li><li>Full accountability for the prevention/ resolution for all supply and availability issues end to end with a clear plan for stores</li><li>Ensure a minimum of 1 competitor shop per fortnight to deliver increased market awareness and shop floor understanding</li><li>Ensure full knowledge of market pricing and deliver competitivity in line with Trading Director’s plan</li><li>Coordinate and deliver monthly pricing meeting for the Trading Director and wider team</li></ul><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>FOOD SAFETY &amp; QUALITY COMES FIRST </strong></p><ul><li>Full responsibility for product quality and food safety end to end. Managed and delivered via a designated Food Technologist</li><li>Ensuring key KPI’s are met surrounding customer complaints and quality (e.g. CPMU’s, 1 Stars)</li><li>Responsible for organising, leading and diarising Ice-Checks via specified Technologist with subsequent proactive management of issues</li><li>Compulsory attendance to 1 Star Reviews and lead</li><li>Set and agree industry benchmark for all own label products and operate quality enhancements around this</li><li>Full responsibility for setting and agreeing detailed specifications via specified technologist that protect quality ongoing</li></ul><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT TO REDUCE COSTS</strong></p><ul><li>Full responsibility for de-ranger and discontinued budget requiring weekly meetings to keep this to an absolute minimum</li><li>Full responsibility for wastage budget and reduction and weekly management to optimise costs and margin</li><li>Organisation and running of relevant Disc &amp; Deranger meetings for the Trading Director cross-functionally</li><li>Adherence to all policies to ensure the smooth running of the department</li><li>Full responsibility for accuracy of administration meeting agreed administration error targets</li><li>Coordinate tasks (unprompted)</li></ul><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>LOOKING AFTER GREAT PEOPLE &amp; SUPPLIERS</strong></p><ul><li>Building strong partnerships and relationships to drive strategic category plans and differentiation; ensuring decision makers are the key point of contact e.g. Commercial Director or equivalent</li><li>Honouring the GSCOP guidelines laid out by the government to protect Iceland’s reputation as a brand</li><li>Ensure all supply agreements and JBP’s are sales driven with 12 month rolling plans (cost + ORD only)</li><li>Management of several ancillary responsibilities for the wider team that often require increased experience and complexity (e.g. Merchandising, Pricing, Channel Plans)</li><li>Clear delegation of all administrative activities (excluding Forecasting) to the Trading Administration Team via specified Trading Assistant (in-direct report)</li><li>Clear communication and delegation to dedicated Merchandiser to execute category plans</li><li>Compulsory mini team meetings to take place each week with key stakeholders. Led by the Trading Manager</li><li>Responsibility for coaching and developing less experienced members of the team across a variety of trading activities (e.g. forecasting, negotiations, range reviews)</li><li>Line management responsibility for departmental graduates (where evident)</li><li>Line management responsibilities for sub-teams that are crucial to the role (e.g. Iceland Manufacturing)</li><li>Manages the delivery of projects that are exceptional to standard Trading duties (including trials)</li><li>Organise and structure the weekly Team meeting for the Trading director (incl. agenda, content and minutes)</li><li>Cover for the Trading Director when absent</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Specialised skills</strong></p><ul><li>Highly analytical and numerate</li><li>Excellent communication skills</li><li>Expert negotiation skills (supported by GAP training)</li><li>Resilience and ability to work at pace</li><li>Food knowledge, passion and expertise</li><li>Leadership cross-functionally and amongst peers (TM’s)</li><li>&gt;6 years Buying experience</li></ul><p><strong>Alongside this we can offer you:</strong></p><p>🏆 Best Place to Work 2025<br>👥 Supportive and collaborative team<br>🩺 Healthcare and cash back plans<br>💰 15% discount in our stores and 30% discount in our group restaurants <br>🛍️ Partner discounts <br>🍴 Subsidised on site restaurant and Costa (Head Office)<br>🫶🏽 Mental, physical and financial wellbeing support</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p></dd><dt class="AdvortoDefinitionListTitle AdvortoDefinitionListTitleWide AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem">&nbsp;</dt><dd class="AdvortoDefinitionListElement AdvortoDefinitionListElementWide AdvortoDefinitionListAlternateItem"><div> <img src="https://jobs.icelandcareers.co.uk/assets/images/Other recruitment.jpg"></div></dd>