Head of Category

We are currently recruiting for a **“Head of Category (Chilled)”** to join our Buying department

**Overall Purpose**:
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. Responsibilities for the wider Trading team to support the Trading Director.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**DRIVE PROFITABLE SALES GROWTH**

- Responsible for c.50% of Ambient Grocery Iceland Sales
- Deliver strategic category plans through Range Review process
- Wider strategic influence and contribution to Trading Directors plan that benefits the overall business
- 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)
- Lead negotiations on behalf of the wider team with key suppliers/ brands that are cross category or require additional experience to manage
- Utilisation of ‘Plan B’ suppliers to create necessary tension and improve Trading manager knowledge
- Delivery of accurate financial forecast on time to the Trading Director (must not be delegated)
- Weekly reporting of accurate sales and profitability information to the Trading Director
- Deliver the High Plan commercial budget covering sales and e2e profitability.

**INNOVATION AND GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS**

- Wholesale management of the NPD process and progress for the Trading Director
- Coordination of seasonal events across the wider team including price, promotion and differentiation in-line with Trading Director’s vision
- Full responsibility for organising and delivery Range Reviews, including strategic category proposals (TD Head of Development and MD present at a minimum)
- 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
- Delivery of all agreed actions through range review process
- 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
- Full accountability for the prevention/ resolution for all supply and availability issues end to end with a clear plan for stores
- Ensure a minimum of 1 competitor shop per fortnight to deliver increased market awareness and shop floor understanding
- Ensure full knowledge of market pricing and deliver competitivity in line with Trading Director’s plan
- Coordinate and deliver monthly pricing meeting for the Trading Director and wider team

**FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY COMES FIRST**

- Full responsibility for product quality and food safety end to end. Managed and delivered via a designated Food Technologist
- Ensuring key KPI’s are met surrounding customer complaints and quality (e.g. CPMU’s, 1 Stars)
- Responsible for organising, leading and diarising Ice-Checks via specified Technologist with subsequent proactive management of issues
- Compulsory attendance to 1 Star Reviews and lead
- Set and agree industry benchmark for all own label products and operate quality enhancements around this
- Full responsibility for setting and agreeing detailed specifications via specified technologist that protect quality ongoing

**KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT TO REDUCE COSTS**

- Full responsibility for de-ranger and discontinued budget requiring weekly meetings to keep this to an absolute minimum
- Full responsibility for wastage budget and reduction and weekly management to optimise costs and margin
- Organisation and running of relevant Disc & Deranger meetings for the Trading Director cross-functionally
- Adherence to all policies to ensure the smooth running of the department
- Full responsibility for accuracy of administration meeting agreed administration error targets
- Coordinate tasks (unprompted)

**LOOKING AFTER GREAT PEOPLE & SUPPLIERS**

- Building strong partnerships and relationships in order to drive strategic category plans and differentiation; ensuring decision makers are the key point of contact e.g. Commercial Director or equivalent
- Honouring the GSCOP guidelines laid out by the government to protect Iceland’s reputation as a brand
- Ensure all supply agreements and JBP’s are sales driven with 12 month rolling plans (cost + ORD only)
- Management of several ancillary responsibilities for the wider team that often require increased experience and complexity (e.g. Merchandising, Pricing, Channel Plans)
- Clear delegation of all administrative activities (excluding Forecasting) to the Trading Administration Team via specified Trading Assistant (in-direct report)
- Clear communication and delegation to dedicated Merchandiser to execute category plans
- Compulso