At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
The Trade Planner role is critical to ensuring we have a strong, customer-facing and compliant cycle and feature space proposition.
What you will be doing:
1. Having accountability for the trade planning process and implementing regular reporting to increase accuracy and compliance.
2. Using customer and competitor insights to plan an annual calendar of events and activations that appeals to customers and delivers against our commercial objectives.
3. Working cross-functionally (with buying, marketing, merchandising and ops) to ensure accurate and quality execution every time.
4. Supporting in the planning, delivery and review of key initiatives and proposition development projects across formats.
5. Working with the ops team to drive in-store compliance and implementation to protect supplier income and to communicate effectively with our stores and ensure store engagement.
6. Owning the cycle process from a trade planning perspective and work cross-functionally to make recommendations to drive performance improvements.
7. Preparing analysis and insights from previous cycles as inputs to future planning.
8. Providing ad-hoc project management support across the commercial team where required, including coordination of events.
What we are looking for:
1. Excellent organisation and planning skills, including strong Excel and PowerPoint.
2. Strong communicator, with an ability to influence at all levels of the business.
3. A self-starter, with the initiative to drive improvement and change without prompt.
4. A team player who can self-manage, but is willing and able to support colleagues and share best practice.
5. Previous experience in a trade, category planning or buying role is essential.
6. Proven experience of prioritisation and managing ambiguity required.
7. Experience of managing high profile, time critical projects.
8. Some level of analytical experience, and good commercial acumen.
How we reward our teams:
1. Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office.
2. 4pm Friday Finish.
3. Flexible Working.
4. 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday.
5. Family Friendly Leave.
6. Pension Scheme.
7. Share save Scheme.
8. Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance.
9. Competitive Salary.
10. Staff Discount Card for stores and online.
About us:
Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone. At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
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