Branded Innovation & Small Supplier Lead

Are you an innovative strategic thinker with a passion for driving commercial growth? We are seeking a BrandsNew and Small Supplier Lead to spearhead the strategic development of our small supplier strategy. In this pivotal role, you will act as the central hub for the BrandsNew programme, translating commercial strategy into impactful, market-beating plans. If you thrive on nurturing branded innovation, leading cross-functional teams, and balancing complex priorities to deliver sustainable value and exceptional customer journeys, we invite you to help shape the future of our regional and speciality offerings.

• Salary - £68,900.00 - £105,200.00 

• Contract type -This position is a Permanent contract.

• Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team complete 3 days per week in the office to connect.

• Location - Bracknell Head Office

• Interviews - We are aiming for interviews to take place mid July.

Key responsibilities

As the BrandsNew and Small Supplier Lead you will be accountable for the strategic development and implementation of the Small Supplier strategy. 

You will be responsible for ensuring the proposition provides a differentiated, high quality experience and customer journey for our target customers, and as a result adds sustainable value to our business. As part of the role you will be accountable for the BrandsNew programme. 

Supported by a Trading Manager and/or a Category Manager, you will translate the Commercial Strategy into a 12-24 month plan. Working with the Local, Regional and Small Supplier Manager and members of the trading team to find, nurture and grow market leading branded innovation and manage our minimal credible range for regional speciality products.  

You will lead and influence cross-functional experts (both internally and externally) to deliver, run and develop the plan and market-beating performance. You will be the central ‘hub’ of activity, setting a clear direction, fostering communication, and skillfully balancing competing priorities. 

Alongside leading the roadmap of change activity you will also monitor performance and feedback of the proposition, identifying root causes of successes and challenges. You will stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging technologies to keep us ahead of the market. With the support of cross functional specialists you will lead the response in order to ensure the propositions continual success. 

You will have responsibility for the commercial performance across BrandsNew suppliers and Local & Regional assortment. You will apply your thorough understanding of the commercial and operational levers involved to maximise the commercial delivery whilst driving improvements in end to end efficiency.  

You will manage a L6 Local, Regional and Small Supplier Manager, you will coach and develop the partner creating the right conditions for all Partners to make their best contribution and achieve their potential.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Commercial management 

• Strategic thinker, with the ability to set and deliver against an 12-24 month horizon

• GSCoP expert 

• Evidence of launching recent high performing Grocery customer propositions

• Proven strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to inspire and influence others, including senior stakeholders, in areas where you are not the expert or decision maker 

• Strong commercial and analytical skills, and the knowledge of relevant commercial and operation levers involved in commercial decisions

• Prior experience of leading cross functional projects and matrix managing cross functional stakeholders 

• Entrepreneurial approach with a continuous improvement mindset 

Desirable skills/experience you may have

● Experience in Process and/or Critical Path development

 ● Experience in food retail

 ● Experience in buying, product supply and ranging 

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We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. 

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