Trading Manager

Join Musgrave – A Legacy of Innovation, Community, and Excellence

Musgrave is one of Europe’s most successful family-owned businesses, with a rich 150-year legacy in food and brand innovation. We`re proud to serve communities across Ireland and Spain, feeding one in three people every day through 18 iconic brands like SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Frank and Honest, and Musgrave MarketPlace. By supporting thousands of retail and foodservice family businesses, we make a positive impact on the communities they serve. We`re committed to becoming the most trusted and sustainable business in Ireland, and we`re looking for dynamic, forward-thinking individuals to join us on this journey.

We have an opportunity for a Trading Manager to join our Trading team in Belfast. Our buying/trading teams are responsible for buying the right products for our customers at the right price, analysing data and negotiating with suppliers to ensure that we drive sales and profit for both Musgrave and our retail partners. They work closely with internal stakeholders in Marketing, Sales, Own Brand Development and Supply Chain in ensuring the right product range is available, delivering competitive promotions to drive sales and innovating to meet the needs of our customers and upcoming trends.

What You'll Be Doing

Category & Range Strategy

• Own and deliver the assigned category strategy and product portfolio through the range management process.
• Develop ranges that reflect consumer trends, price architecture, provenance and quality expectations, while delivering sales and margin targets.
• Continuously review and optimise ranges using market insight, consumer research, supplier innovation and retailer feedback.
• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and Retail partners to ensure successful execution of category plans.
• Develop seasonal and promotional supply plans to support peak trading and demand fluctuations.
• Identify opportunities to drive loyalty and value through differentiated propositions.

Planning, Budgeting & Performance

• Set annual Sales, Margin and Supplier Income targets by supplier and product group.
• Prepare and deliver the annual Buying Plan, including income strategy, Own Brand and range review plans.
• Lead regular performance and budget reviews with the Category Manager.

Own Brand Development

• Identify Own Brand opportunities based on participation targets and market gaps.
• Lead product development from concept to launch with cross-functional teams.
• Agree pricing structures to optimise revenue and margin and review performance post-launch.

Commercial Negotiation & Supplier Management

• Negotiate purchase costs, trading terms and income in line with Musgrave policies.
• Analyse supplier cost bases to achieve optimal commercial outcomes.
• Balance pricing, promotions, discounts and investment to deliver a compelling value proposition.
• Maximise Musgrave Group buying scale and deliver effective promotional strategies.

Pricing & Margin Control

• Set and manage wholesale and retail pricing to achieve margin targets.
• Monitor competitor pricing and promotional activity to maintain competitiveness.
• Ensure accurate price file maintenance and alignment to price basket targets.

Relationships & Execution

• Build strong relationships with retailers through store visits, cluster meetings and forums.
• Lead supplier Joint Business Plan reviews and track delivery of agreed objectives.
• Partner with Supply Chain to monitor service levels and address issues proactively.

Project Leadership

• Lead and contribute to cross-functional projects supporting category and strategic initiatives.
• Manage timelines, resources, budgets, risks and post-implementation reviews.

What We’re Looking For

• 2 + years’ experience in a Buying or Trading role managing categories or portfolios
• Demonstrated experience in direct line management, providing clear leadership, coaching and direction to deliver individual and team performance
• Strong commercial acumen with experience delivering results in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to analyse data to inform range, pricing and promotional decisions with advanced Excel and reporting capability.
• Excellent negotiation, numeracy and stakeholder management skills, with strong communication and influencing capability.
• Organised, resilient and able to manage multiple priorities.

Nice to have

• 3rd level qualification in Business related discipline
• Category Management experience within retail/wholesale
• Knowledge of the Irish and UK grocery market.

Why Musgrave?

Career Development : With a commitment to your personal and professional growth, Musgrave offers numerous opportunities for advancement and learning.

Collaborative Environment : Work alongside a passionate team, where your contributions will make a significant impact

Innovation Focus : Be part of a company that values forward-thinking solutions

Community Focus : Be part of a company that truly values its communities and strives to make a positive impact.

Be Part of a Legacy : Join a company with a long-standing commitment to community and innovation.

Musgrave is an equal opportunities employer.  We encourage applications from diverse candidates. If we can make any accommodations to enable you to be the best version of yourself during the interview, please let us know.

Musgrave operate a Work Smart hybrid working model where you can alternate your time between connecting and collaborating in the business and working remotely.