Trading Manager – Fresh Produce

Ocado Retail

Fresh Produce Trading Manager leading buying strategy and an eight-person team at Ocado Retail, the UK’s largest dedicated online supermarket. Driving P&L, supplier partnerships, range innovation, and commercial growth through data-led decisions.

Posted 8/4/2026full-timeHatfield • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong leadership in retail buying, with a focus on strategic execution and team development. Proficient in data analysis and optimization, leveraging market trends and AI tools to drive category performance and profitability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Retail Buying ExperienceCommercial LeadershipNegotiation ExpertiseProject Management CapabilityData Analysis Using Excel

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Retail BuyingCategory Strategy DevelopmentP&L ManagementSupplier ManagementData AnalysisMarket Trend AnalysisChange ManagementPerformance MaximizationCommercial Operating ModelsTrading Tactics

Soft Skills

CoachingMentoringEmotional IntelligenceResilienceAdaptability

Tools & Technologies

ExcelGoogle SheetsTableauAI Tools

Industry Keywords

Fresh ProduceCustomer-CentricStakeholder ManagementStrategic RelationshipsCommercial Plans

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Tableau

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the Buying team for the Fresh Produce business
Report to the Head of Category in the Fresh & Chilled Team
Lead and coach a team of circa 8 Buyers
Work with Supply Chain, Merchandising, Finance, and Customer stakeholders to build and mobilise plans
Source and buy high-quality ranges for customers
Manage the department’s P&L
Identify untapped growth opportunities using rich data and an online mindset
Deliver category and business goals through strategic execution
Develop a category strategy aligned with overall business objectives
Lead significant change projects
Ensure customer-centric ranges and choice remain a key differentiator
Lead the team to maximise performance, sales, profitability, and market share
Develop team members through coaching and mentoring
Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver business initiatives and commercial plans
Improve commercial operating models and trading tactics through large-scale initiatives
Optimise the Ocado range using market trends, data, AI tools, and professional judgment

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant retail buying experience
Commercial leadership experience with a proven track record of delivering breakthrough results
Exceptional negotiation expertise
Supplier management skills and ability to build strategic relationships
Proven leadership and mentoring capability
Emotional and strategic intelligence to develop yourself and your team
Ability to act as a strong stakeholder for suppliers and internal teams
Positive resilience and adaptability when navigating ambiguity
Proven project management capability for large-scale initiatives
Genuine passion for the category and awareness of market trends
Confidence making optimisation decisions
Expertise in complex data analysis using Excel, Google Sheets, and Tableau
Ability to balance analytical insights and AI tools with professional judgment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Private medical insurance with option to add your family
Digital GP appointments
Market-leading family policies
Mental health support
Discounted gym memberships
Dental insurance
Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives
Recognition with reward platform
Up to 7% matched pension contributions
15% Ocado discount
20% M&S discount
Free breakfast every day in the office
Electric vehicle leasing scheme
Free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office
Hybrid working
26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays
Options to buy extra holiday
2 weeks work from anywhere
Lifestyle break opportunities
Access to the Commercial Academy
External advanced training, including Negotiation, Understanding Suppliers, and Optimising JBPs
AI Academy learning journey for every colleague