Head of Trading Operations
Up to £90,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 4)
Location: Manchester/Scunthorpe (hybrid working - typically three days per week spent at our Scunthorpe office, with at least one day every two weeks in Manchester)
Co-op Wholesale is growing, and we're looking for people who want to lead what comes next.
As our Head of Trading Operations, you'll lead the teams and processes that keep our Trading operations running smoothly and responsibly. You'll make sure we've got strong governance, clear controls, and the right ways of working in place so we can maintain accuracy, mitigate risks, and drive commercial value.
In this role, you'll act as a key collaborator across multiple teams, giving everyone the structure, support, and confidence they need to deliver for our wholesale partners. From pricing and promotions to deal setup, reconciliation, reporting, and compliance, you'll be at the centre of how we trade - making sure everything we do is efficient, consistent, and commercially sound.
Why this role matters
We're building something big at Co-op Wholesale. With a refreshed structure and exciting plans ahead, we're creating new opportunities to strengthen our proposition for our independent retailers, key accounts, and a growing corporate client base. To do that, we need strong foundations based on clear governance and reliable processes. This is where you come in.
This is your chance to bring new ideas to life and make a real impact. Be part of it.
What you'll do
Own and develop our governance framework, including delegations, approvals, and lifecycle controls
Make sure all trading activity meets internal policies, legal requirements, and regulatory standards
Oversee end-to-end operational delivery of pricing, agreements, and promotional activity
Lead and develop teams to deliver accurate setup, strong controls, and consistently high standards
Strengthen our promotional planning processes so offers are set up in the right way and delivered as planned
Oversee commercial administration, including income governance, pricing governance, and master data assurance
Identify and manage risks, using insight and lessons learned to drive improvements
Line manage our Trading Support Manager and guide their development
What you'll bring
Experience as a Head of Trading Operations
Experience in governance, compliance, or control frameworks
A strong understanding of trading or complex commercial operations
Knowledge of financial controls, settlements, pricing governance, and commercial reporting
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Why Co-op?
At Co-op, we're owned by our members. And because we're owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you're not just taking a job, you're joining a movement. We're an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we're powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you'll also receive:
A company car
Private healthcare
An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
Stream - early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
24/7 colleague support service
Training and support for your development and career progression
Cycle-to-work scheme
A place you'll belong
We're building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone, and our support centre is an inclusive environment where all our colleagues can thrive.
If you have a disability, we'll make reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process. We're also proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme - if you're disabled and you meet the minimum criteria for this job, we'll guarantee you an interview.
Learn more about our recruitment process at
Explore our commitments to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing at
As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.