Join Our Team as Head of Merchandising!
Are you ready to take the lead in driving growth and innovation in the CSE category? Brakes is on the lookout for a Head of Merchandising to spearhead our bakery buying efforts and support the Category Merchandising Director as the deputy for the Chip Butty Takeaway Team. This is your chance to make a significant impact by unlocking cost efficiencies and developing a robust category plan that balances quality, service, and price.
We offer a hybrid working contract for this role, allowing you to work flexibly while being within a commutable distance to our Ashford, Kent office. You’ll attend the office twice a week and travel regularly to connect with suppliers, customers, and colleagues.
Your Key Responsibilities:
* Lead a dynamic team of merchandising professionals to achieve key priorities and outcomes.
* Support the development of the overall category strategy and in-year plan to drive volume, sales, and margin growth, while maintaining a balanced focus on quality, service, and price.
* Champion the “better buying” initiative by negotiating competitive prices, sourcing products from the best suppliers, and enhancing supplier partnerships.
* Drive range development, collaborating with trusted suppliers to create innovative and sustainable products for Sysco’s own brands.
* Integrate the “better buying” workstream with the “better selling” activation strategy, managing the end-to-end P&L to maximize margins.
* Oversee local spending while collaborating with Sysco GB and international partners to enhance global results.
About You:
To thrive in this role, you should have:
* Proven leadership experience in managing cross-functional teams and delivering results.
* Extensive senior-level buying experience in fast-paced food product categories, ideally within retail, foodservice, or FMCG environments.
* A customer-first mindset with an innovative approach to problem-solving.
* Resilience and the ability to navigate ambiguity while building future solutions.
* A commitment to inclusivity, integrity, and honesty in all your endeavors.
* Strong commercial acumen and experience in managing large buying/P&L areas.
* Exceptional stakeholder management skills, balancing tactical and strategic relationships to maximize profitability.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone ambitious about career growth within merchandising at a progressive global organization!
What We Offer:
* A competitive salary
* Company car or car allowance of £8,000 per annum
* Family private medical healthcare cover
* Pension scheme
* Generous holiday allowance of 25 days, with the option to purchase additional holidays + bank holidays
* Exclusive discounts on a variety of delicious food and award-winning products through our staff shop
* Discounts on cinema tickets, shopping, and cashback on purchases through Sodexo
* Recognition awards and incentives
* Real career opportunities within Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business
Join us and be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and growth!