Description
Join Iceland Foods, recognized as one of the Sunday Times Best Places To Work!
We are seeking a passionate and experienced professional from the food retail industry with a strong drive for innovation.
Experience in buying, licensing and product development is a plus!
In this role, you’ll network with suppliers in the UK and abroad, discovering new food trends and products.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to manage and develop truly innovative products. Apply now and be a part of our exciting journey!
Manages the development of new and existing Branded Exclusive Product and Supplier opportunities to drive sales and profitability for the business
1. Support the Head of Licensing + Innovation in delivering:
2. NEW branded product, new supplier innovation and ‘exclusive’ opportunities
3. Routes to external (non-Iceland) markets
4. New brands (e.g. Wheyhey) to sell to the broader market.
5. Initiate and build new relationships with potential manufacturing partners through to commercial agreement.
6. Ongoing account management of Brands on Ice, Innovation Services, Rapid Start enterprise customers including:
7. Annual business plans
8. Monthly sales and marketing updates
9. Innovation pipelines and NPD product sign off from the brand
10. Ad-hoc account management as required.
11. Deliver strategic category plans through the Iceland Range Review process
12. Works to deliver lower product costs -(full responsibility end to end)
13. Utilisation of ‘Plan B’ suppliers to create necessary commercial tension.
14. Delivery of accurate financial forecast to deadline.
15. Weekly reporting of accurate sales and profitability information
INNOVATION AND GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS
16. Work cross functionally with Iceland Development Kitchen to support in creating a pipeline of innovation for growth 12-18 months in advance
17. Monthly meetings with Category Buying Managers to brief opportunities and manage innovation schedule (all chambers)
18. Produce and deliver relevant Range Reviews, including strategic category proposals (TD and Head of Development where relevant)
19. 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.
20. Full responsibility for transposing range plans and actions into merchandising planograms.
21. Full accountability for the prevention/ resolution for all supply and availability issues.
22. Minimum of one competitor shop per fortnight to deliver increased market awareness and operational understanding.
23. Full knowledge of market pricing and competitivity in line with pricing rulesets.
Specialised Skills & Knowledge
24. Highly analytical and numerate
25. Excellent communication skills
26. Expert negotiation skills (supported by independent training)
27. Resilience and ability to work at pace
28. Food knowledge, passion, and expertise
29. Demonstrate wider capacity and capability to progress to Category Buying Manager
30. +3 years retail product commercial/ business development experience