Trading Manager
Attractive Salary, Benefits, Company Car, Bonus (circa 20%)
36.5 Hour week (Hybrid)
Newtownabbey
Who are we?
Henderson Group are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,700 colleagues and have been placed 3rd in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2025.
A look into the role
Henderson Wholesale is a leading Wholesaler in Northern Ireland and supplies goods to over 450 stores across various brands such as SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO. We source from local farmers, growers and producers and are proud to contribute to our local economy and environment.
We achieved Gold accreditation against the Investors in People standard framework in 2023 in recognition of people management excellence and our commitment to investment in people.
Based at our main site in Mallusk, this fast paced position offers an exceptional opportunity to grow your career as a Trading specialist within one of the country’s largest home grown employers.
The successful candidate will take primary responsibility for developing and delivering agreed category strategies, while also holding full operational accountability for the performance of their allocated category.
This role is ideally suited to an ambitious and commercially driven trading professional who is ready to take the next step in their FMCG career.
Working as Trading Manager you will:
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers to secure best-in-market terms, delivering a competitive retail price position in market, develop exclusive promotional campaigns aligned to strong growth plans/targets and KPI’s.
• Manage product information and supplier income, working closing with our support team to ensure effective income management.
• Engage with Customer Proposition Team - monitor market trends, customer needs and behaviour, competitor activity, price positioning, to help with commercial decisions. Ensuring product ranges help meet customer needs, drive sales growth, and improve profitability.
• Lead regular performance reviews to track trading KPIs including sales, profit, margin mix, and availability.
• Continual engagement with our replenishment team with alignment to team KPI’s – Stock appreciation and stock holding.
• Engage with key stakeholders across the business, ensuring effective communication for all new product/NPD launches, promotional/seasonal campaigns, and availability.
Skills for Success
Joining us as Trading Manager the minimum criteria you’ll need is:
• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English;
• At least three years’ experience in a commercial role at management level in the FMCG sector;
• Strong commercial knowledge of the FMCG marketplace;
• Significant experience in participating in supplier negotiations;
• A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications;
• Full and valid driving licence.
The Attributes you’ll need include:
• Creativity, Influence & Impact- the successful candidate will demonstrate a natural ability to successfully lead change and drive continuous improvement;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail;
• Ability to work at pace and be able to demonstrate adaptability to changing situations/ targets;
• Strong leadership & communication skills, with a proven track record of inspiring others to achieve business and team goals;
• Strong Customer focus and able to demonstrate success in developing strong stakeholder relationships.
It is desirable if you have:
• A third level qualification/management qualification.
Are we right for you?
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.
Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The Reward
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners.
Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.
Benefits include market competitive salary, company car, bonus, contributory pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Perks Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email joanne.mcclelland@henderson-group.com to get in touch.
Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Tuesday 3rd March 2026.
We are an equal opportunities employer.