Gifts Buyer and Product Manager (Wine Jobs: Sales & Marketing)

  Laithwaite's Wine

  Theale, West Berkshire, England

There is great working culture. Our customer events are run entirely by in-house staff, we have opportunities for wine education, regular staff tastings and more. You’ll even get a chance to visit our own chateau in Bordeaux and help with harvest at our own, award – winning Wyfold Vineyard in Oxfordshire.

We are growing the Laithwaite’s Gift range and now looking to recruit a Buyer and Product Manager to join our small fun and dedicated team.

The role on offer is a full-time permanent position and you will be based out of our Head Office in Theale, Reading.

As the Buyer and Product Manager you will be an integral member of the team. You will help to build and grow gifts sales in line with business expectations, across both B2C and B2B channels.

The successful candidate will have had previous demonstrable experience in a similar role, to include previous buying or product management experience of similar FMCG products. You will have also had some experience with Planning/ Merchandising.

You will be capable at managing complex negotiations and cost price structures as well as the ability to multitask and prioritise your workload.

This is an exciting opportunity; we would love to hear from you have relevant experience and ready for your next role.

Read on for :

Key Responsibilities:

• Development and design of new products for the gift range, including undertaking the necessary product and commercial viability analysis
• Maintain and develop a thorough understanding of the Gift market, product trends and identify areas of opportunity
• Working with internal teams to develop a range of gift experiences and services that customers would enjoy, such as wine events, tours and subscriptions
• Sourcing new and existing products for the Gift range, all year round. This will include, bespoke gift sets, accessories, exclusive products and 3rd party supplied products (such as flowers, hampers, confectionery)
• Negotiate pricing that satisfies business objectives and delivers competitive prices to customers
• Procure suitable external and internal packaging for gift products, working closely with the operational and merchandising teams
• Establishing strong relationships with 3rd party suppliers, building robust and effective business processes and commercially viable products
• Working with the Group Buying and local Merchandising teams to use existing wine and alcohol products, with a view to add to the gift range where appropriate
• Instrumental in forecasting volumes, pricing and product delivery
• Responsible for ensuring the appropriate system setup of contracts, purchase orders happen and liaising with finance for invoices

Person Spec:

• Previous buying or product management experience of similar FMCG products is essential.
• Ideally educated to degree level – minimum A levels – with proven buying and commercial experience
• Planning/Merchandise experience
• Strong Excel and other IT skills
• Energetic, motivated by sales success, tenacious, pro-active and a problem solver
• Flexible, ability to manage own workload and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, able to multitask and prioritise
• Able to work as part of a small collaborative team
• Strong communicator and interpersonal skills
• Numerate and capable of managing complex negotiations and cost price structures
• Strong proven commercial acumen, with a focus on driving sales and cost efficiencies

Benefits:

• Bonus scheme
• On-site parking
• Wellness programmes
• Life insurance

Closing Date: 29th May 2020

---