Branded Innovation Coordinator

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Waitrose Trading team as a Branded Innovation Coordinator here at Waitrose & Partners.

A key part of this role will be delivering the Waitrose Commercial strategy through the foundation and growth of the Branded Innovation team helping to find, grow and deliver market leading branded innovation.

The successful candidate will identify new brands using a variety of sources including RangeMe, trade events, multiple media channels and trends to identify areas of focus. They will support Waitrose trading teams as the first point of contact for prospective brands providing a filtration system to allow focus only on relevant brands and to improve ease of accessibility for brands trying to make their way into Waitrose.

The role also entails activating existing strategic brands within shops and online through multiple different channels, acting as intermediary between the Buying teams and numerous other professions within the Waitrose business.

This successful candidate must work collaboratively with the trading teams ensuring that Waitrose has an effective approach to working with start up / challenger, and local & regional brands.

Some of your key responsibilities include but not limited to:

Work collaboratively to support the trading teams to manage and develop startup / challenger brands and local & regional brands

Work collaboratively with buyers to understand the needs of their categories and align with category strategy, sequencing and range review timings

Work closely with external third parties to enable successful launches (e.g. Young Foodies, RangeMe)

Manage sales reporting for branded innovation including sharing with suppliers where appropriate

Build and track activity across branded activation / innovation to facilitate sharing of information across multiple teams

Engage with key stakeholders including Senior WR Commercial, Legal & Compliance, Category Management, Media Sales, Events & Experience,Own Brand Innovation, PR

Embed process and structure to support the strategy long term

Prior experience in Commercial FMCG roles (e.g. sales, buying or category management)

Understanding and awareness of legal implications of commercial activity with reference to GSCoP, Competition Law and Anti Bribery

Experience of working with and leveraging teams outside of direct control

Proficient systems use and understanding including Google and Microsoft as well as internal Waitrose systems (e.g. Tableau, BOBI, PIC, MO etc)

Desirable Skills

Experience working with small, startup brands

Experience working in or with cross functional Commercial team outside of Trading

️ - Full - time working holiday entitlement 25 days holiday, plus public and bank holidays

- Excellent work life balance, including focus on well being and flexible working and our marketing leading equal parenthood leave Policy

- Defined Contribution pension scheme where your contributions will be matched by the Partnership (up to 8% of pay) and, after three years' service, you'll receive an additional Partnership contribution of 4% of pay, regardless of whether you pay in or not

- You'll get Partnership discount in store and online once you complete probation. That's 25% off in John Lewis & Partners (12% off electrical products) and 20% in Waitrose & Partners. You'll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount

- Simple cycle to work support scheme

- We're really proud of our exclusive hotels based in some of Britain's most beautiful areas and once you've been with us for three months, you're welcome to explore them

Next Steps

The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to in time. (If internal, check your Workday notifications and see further guidance on the PDW under "Internal application process").

Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a 1st stage interview.

You'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you.

Thanks for your patience in the meantime and for showing an interest in joining JLP.