Head of Trading (Ambient)

A.F. Blakemore & Son

2d

About The Position

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Trading covering BWS, C&T and Soft Drinks to join our AFB team; leading a team of 4 direct reports, ensuring that they lead and drive the commercial growth, procurement excellence, and net profit development of Ambient goods across the SPAR retail and wholesale business. Reporting to the Trading Director this high-impact role is key to driving commercial performance through insight led decision making, precision execution, and strategic leadership. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping a market leading product portfolio for SPAR stores and customers while leading a team of Trading specialists and working cross functionally across the business.
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is a dynamic, family-owned business with a proud heritage dating back to 1917. As one of the UK’s largest privately owned companies, we employ over 7,000 people and generate a turnover of £1.1 billion. Ranked among the UK’s top 100 private businesses, we’re passionate about food, innovation, and service. Our operations span retail, wholesale distribution, foodservice, fresh meat and logistics.

Requirements

• Lead, coach and develop a team of specialists
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Establish clear objectives, development plans and performance metrics
• Build succession pipelines and identify future talent needs

Responsibilities

• Maximise Net Profit: Own the P&L performance across key Ambient categories, implementing advanced pricing models and margin management strategies to protect the bottom line.
• Advanced Supplier Negotiations: Secure market leading corporate terms, volume rebates, and long term supply agreements with suppliers to benefit SPAR retailers.
• Cost Mitigation: Continuously analyse commodity markets and inflation trends to proactively mitigate cost price increases (CPIs) and protect business viability.
• Compliance & Safety Assurance: Ensure all sourced vendors and products comply with strict food safety standards, allergen tracking, and technical specifications.
• Capability Building: Lead, mentor, and upskill a high-performing team, fostering a culture of sharp commercial accountability.
• Distribution Centre (DC) Efficiency: Drive range rationalisation and supplier delivery alignment to minimise SKU complexity, improve warehouse space utilisation, and maximise operational throughput in the RDCs and DCs.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Champion cross-functional collaboration on range architecture and retailer offers, ensuring procurement decisions balance commercial profitability with operations, logistics, and retailer and shopper needs.
• Retailer & Customer Requirement Execution: Secure and validate that all sourced ranges directly reflect and fulfil strict retailer and customer requirements, bespoke specifications, and service-level agreements.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach and develop a team of specialists.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear objectives, development plans and performance metrics.
• Build succession pipelines and identify future talent needs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training
• Ongoing support
• Continuous development opportunities
• Competitive salary
• 34 days holiday per year including public holidays (Increasing after 3, 5 and 10 years)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Outstanding Training & Development opportunities
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay packages
• Flexible working hours opportunity
• Early access to your pay through ‘EarlyPay’
• 24/7 access to your payslips via HR/Payroll portal
• 12.5% Staff discount on fresh items & 10% Staff Discount on ambient products in our SPAR stores (ex. Alcohol & Cigarettes)
• Wellbeing support – access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice
• Company Pension Scheme
• Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme
• NEST pension scheme
• Extra Holiday - Purchase Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed