A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is one of the largest and most forward thinking family-owned businesses in the UK. The company began life in 1917 as a counter-service grocery store, and has grown from these humble beginnings into a company that now employs more than 8,200 people with a turnover of £1.3 billion. Food and drink have always been the lifeblood of A.F. Blakemore and the business now entails retail, trade-partners, wholesale, distribution, foodservice, and shop fitting operations amongst its divisions.  A.F. Blakemore is the largest division of SPAR UK, owning 298 SPAR stores and serving 950 in total across England and Wales. The company is also the largest member of the Landmark Wholesale (Cash & Carry) group and a significant supplier to the independent grocery sector across the UK. A.F. Blakemore has always been committed to developing a loyal and dedicated workforce that is focused upon excellent customer service and behaving with honesty and integrity. The company has always strived to build partnerships with suppliers and trade partners while never underestimating the role that it plays within the communities it serves. Underpinning everything that A.F. Blakemore does is the company’s values statement, the Blakemore Way. This highlights what A.F. Blakemore stands for and the way that the company has always done and will continue to do business.

Job purpose

• To manage and control SPAR National accounts who operate via the HUB and to support and assist the HUB’s day to day operation

Key Tasks/Responsibilities:

• To control and maintain a National range of products specific to each contract based on the customers’ requirements. Ensuring that the range remains available from any SPAR RDC’s (Regional Distribution Centres) involved in the account. Constantly reviewing, updating and communicating the range to ensure the range is current and correct for the customer.

• To control and maintain a full set of planograms (on Nielsen Spaceman software) for each contract based on the agreed range. Updating planograms in line with any range changes and communicating with the customer.

• Maintaining an Intranet Portal specific to each account used as a means of communication to the retailers.

• Creating and implementing a promotion program for the National accounts you control, creating promotion planograms and supporting the accounts with an active selling program supported with product knowledge cards to drive sales. Whilst also seeking additional sales by means of promotion allocations, volume generators, NPD and HOD display unit allocations.

• Creation of bespoke Multibuys on the system each Promotion for each National Account.

• Load each National Contracts Promotion on the system based on each National Accounts requirements.

• Collation and confirmation of promotional Point Of Sale requirements with printing company for the accounts ensuring the detail is accurate and the correct quantities are ordered.

• Creation of Seasonal promotion pre-sells documents, collaborating a common National range across the different SPAR RDC’s that can be offered to the accounts. Communication to the customer, collation and distribution of presell requirements to ensure correct levels of stock are available from each RDC. Manage the allocation process centrally on the HUB for any pre-sold stock.

• To attend meetings as and when required on subjects relevant to the National accounts you are controlling, making decisions, liaising with any other parties needed and coordinating/actioning any points as a result.

• Interacting with other divisions and departments to resolve any queries relating to the accounts ensuring there is an acceptable resolution.

• Creating and producing ad-hoc reports relevant to each contract as and when needed.

• Understanding and maintaining the product and pricing detail held on the HUB system used to service SPAR’s National accounts whilst resolving any data queries with both the RDC’s and the customer. Accuracy of the detail held on the HUB is essential for the smooth running of the accounts.

  Financial Responsibilities:

• None

   Key Job Info:

• Could be required to travel to sites other than normal place of work for business purposes

• Could be required to stay away from home overnight or attend evening events on behalf of the business

• May have access to company car as part of role and must ensure this is looked after in accordance with company policy

Education / Qualifications / Licences

• High level numeracy and literacy skills are essential
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office

Skills / Abilities / Knowledge / Experience

• Previous experience in a similar role is preferred
• Reliably follows instructions and procedures
• Keen and enthusiastic approach to working both in a team and independently
• Ability to produce accurate work within agreed timescales
• Excellent communication skills and the capacity to build good working relationships with colleagues and customers
• Computer literate and excel skills essential

Behaviour / Attitude

• Demonstrates integrity, a strong work ethic and upholds company values and principles
• Customer focussed and understands the importance of this to the business
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Shows a commitment to on-going personal development and training, always striving to improve