Work in partnership with the Category team to deliver the category P&L, ensuring that sourcing decisions directly support margin, cost, and growth targets, including achieving annual cost‑price reductionsthrough strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier development. |
Key Responsibilities CDelivering Category and Commercial Performance - Work in partnership with the Category team to deliver the category P&L, ensuring that sourcing decisions directly support margin, cost, and growth targets.
- Translate product specifications, volume forecasts, and price requirements from the Category team into commercially viable sourcing strategies across domestic and international markets.
- Drive year‑on‑year cost‑price reductions through proactive negotiation, supplier optimisation, and continuous cost‑improvement initiatives.
- Provide regular performance reporting, analysing progress against KPIs and identifying corrective actions where targets are at risk.
Global Sourcing and Supplier Management - Source products from the most competitive global suppliers, including overseas manufacturers, ensuring best‑in‑market cost prices while meeting required quality, service and compliance standards. Work in-conjunction with Global Sourcing strategies with Patterson as appropriate.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure favourable commercial terms, negotiate cost reductions, mitigate risk and identify opportunities for product differentiation and exclusivity.
- Negotiate and manage all supplier agreements including contracts, SLA, NDAs in line with business processes and requirements
- Develop new supplier pipelines—both UK and international—to support innovation, own‑brand development, and long‑term category growth.
- Attend relevant trade shows and supplier visits to identify emerging products, new sourcing territories, and cost‑saving opportunities.
Importing, Logistics, and Stock Flow - Work with the appropriate business teams to manage end‑to‑end importing processes from any territory, ensuring compliance with customs, duty, and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with Material Planners to ensure accurate forecasting, timely ordering and effective stock flow, balancing availability with financial and working‑capital objectives.
- With the planning team, monitor supplier lead times, production schedules, and shipping timelines, expediting orders where necessary to maintain optimum stock levels.
Market Insight - Maintain a good understanding of the veterinary and adjacent markets, including competitor activity, pricing trends, and emerging sourcing regions in order to make informed decisions.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Share insights, supplier intelligence, and sourcing opportunities across the business to support collaborative decision‑making and continuous improvement.
Additional Responsibilities - Support the Head of Product Management with ad hoc tasks that contribute to the effective running of the department.
- Uphold strong internal communication and documentation standards to ensure transparency and alignment across teams.
- Deputise for the Head of Product Management as required to ensure that the Category Team are represented as appropriate.
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