Head of Trade - Produce

August 18, 2025

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Not Specified

Equity House, Irthlingborough Road, Wellingborough,

Competitive

August 18, 2025

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Job description

<h2>About the role</h2>Booker Group is recruiting for a Head of Trade for Produce, in this role you will manage a strategic, high-profile Category with full end to end accountability for the delivery of Sales, customer and Profit targets. You will be part of the Senior team with day to day responsibility for Direct Reports and a total broader Team of Category Managers, Assistant Buyers and Category Assistant’s. This role covers a Complex supply base with multiple need states. This area has very strong strategic projects attached to both Retail and Catering (eg Supply Chain transformation) requiring cross-functional stakeholder engagement and Leadership. <h2>Main Responsibilities</h2>Annual negotiations with suppliers to ensure competitive terms year on year and coaching team where appropriate<ul><li>Development and implementation of category plans ensuring delivery of key metrics for Catering and Retail</li></ul>•    Delivery of Cash Profit and Customer Satisfaction targets for the area•    Delivery of best-in-class inbound Supplier Service Level for DCs and Branch•    Development of Strategic Plans for the area and working Cross-functionally to deliver these •    Leadership of the category team, managing performance, encouraging team development (PDPs JDIs) and supporting Booker through EVM in ‘Making Everyone Welcome’ and A Place to Get On’.•    Growth of Own Brand business, sourcing and innovating as appropriate to grow sales and margins•    Ensuring Range is properly distributed throughout the Catering and Retail estates to max the mix and deliver the principles of good, better, best•    Working as part of the senior team to identify opportunities and develop or improve ways of working•    Working with Finance to land robust and reliable forecasts for relevant Categories•    Looking for opportunities to lower Booker’s impact on the Planet•    Following our Business Code of Conduct and always acting with integrity and due diligence championing diversity, ethical thinking and inclusion•    Ensuring all negotiations are conducted under relevant GSCOP guidelines•    Deputising for the Director of Trading when appropriate, cascading information as appropriate.<ul><li>Championing inclusion and diversity ensuring everyone is welcome at Booker</li></ul><h2>You will need</h2>•    Experience of Category Management in Produce<ul><li>Compliant with all Legal, regulatory and ethical requirements.</li></ul>•    In depth Supply Chain knowledge•    Exceptional communication & stakeholder engagement and management•    Clear understanding of Branch and Network processes•    Clear understanding of Multi-Site customers and communicating with Top 10% customers•    Understanding building new markets with the next 90%<ul><li>Strategic and analytical approach </li></ul>•    Strong change leadership, problem solving and decision making•    Market Knowledge of relevant markets  and market developments•    Ability to flex work approach •    Educated to degree level•    Skilled Negotiator    •    Experience of Supplier Management is critical due to facing into challenging FMCG Brands.•    Experience of End 2 End Supply Base Reviews •    Experience of building Buy for Less and Save to Invest Plans•    Understanding of Group Buying to interface with all Group Stakeholders•    Strong Leadership skills to drive talent, succession, PDPs, JDI development and EVM Plans •    Experience of delivering innovation•    Extensive experience in working in FMG developing and managing customer marketing campaigns•    Experience heading up a buying team•    Have a proven record of working autonomously<h2>What's in it for you</h2>At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:<ul><li>A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.</li><li>After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.</li><li>10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.</li><li>Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.</li><li>Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.</li><li>50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.</li><li>Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates</li><li>An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.</li><li>After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.</li><li>Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.</li><li>Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay</li><li>Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.</li><li>A great holiday package</li></ul><a class="btn flex items-center bg-orange w-full md:w-1/2 md:p-5 text-left text-xl" href="https://applybookercareers.com/members/?j=27051" target="_blank">Apply now ></a>

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