Trading Analyst

Role Introduction:

Established in 1992, Applegreen is a leading convenience roadside retailer in the Republic of Ireland, the UK and the US in both large-scale Motorway Service Areas and Travel Plazas, as well as smaller petrol stations. The business has grown to over €3BN in annual revenue, operating 600 Motorway Service Plazas and forecourt sites internationally and employing over 16,000 people.

Applegreen is in a rapid growth phase and to support this ambitious growth, we are seeking to onboard a Trading Analyst who will be part of our Commercial Trading Department in ROI. The successful candidate will be a confident people person who can adopt a hands-on approach and fit into the Applegreen culture seamlessly. The role will report directly into our Senior Trading Analyst and will be based in the Group headquarter office in Park West, Dublin.

Key Responsibilities:

As Applegreen expands, the responsibilities will evolve and change over time. The Trading Analyst will play a crucial role in driving the success of the Commercial team at Applegreen. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, a strong communicator, and a natural leader who can inspire and motivate their team to achieve exceptional results.

The core responsibilities will centre around the following areas:

· Assume full responsibility for the production and preparation of weekly reports, adhering to strict timelines.

· Support and manage the forecast and distribution of products to our stores, allocating stock where required.

· Collaborate and provide support with the Trading team on analytics requirements.

· Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships both internally with key departments within the company and externally with our supply partners.

· Conducting data analysis on trading activity and pricing strategies

· Implement change, introduce processes, and drive efficiencies within the department.

· Stay informed on market and industry trends through competitor analysis to ensure competitiveness of our offerings.

· Support in developing strategic plans at both product and category levels.

The Candidate should have the following:

Qualifications, experience & skills

• Minimum 2+ years as a trading Analyst/Merchandise Planner/Stock allocator in a similar role (FMCG experience an advantage)
• High proficiency in all Microsoft Office software also essential (Excel, PPT)
• Proficiency in using Excel to manipulate and analyze large sets of data is essential
• Power BI or equivalent beneficial
• SAP experience advantageous
• Experience within a convenience FMCG retail environment also advantageous
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with all internal stakeholders
• Energetic and enthusiastic with a desire to achieve success
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels

Additional key skills & attributes:

· Have an understanding of the FMCG industry, market dynamics, and consumer behaviour to make informed decisions and recommendations.

· Ability to effectively communicate with internal teams, stakeholders, and suppliers to drive successful trading strategies.

· Problem-solving skills: The ability to think creatively and strategically to overcome challenges and optimize trading performance.

· Attention to detail: Being meticulous and thorough in analysing data and identifying trends to make accurate and insightful recommendations.

· Time management: Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines and deliver results.

· Team player: Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and building strong relationships with colleagues to achieve common goals.

· Adaptability: Being flexible and open to new ideas and ways of working to respond to changing market conditions and consumer preferences.

· Proactive mindset: Taking initiative to identify opportunities for improvement and drive continuous growth in trading performance.

· A highly organised individual with ability to plan and prioritise workloads effectively for maximum impact and adapt around changing priorities as required.

· Project management skills

· Be a self-starter, who is able to work collaboratively as a member of a highly interdependent team across many parts of Applegreen.

· Is resilient and calm under pressure.

· Has sound judgement and objective logical decision-making skills.

· Willing to travel ad hoc if required.

Illustrative Application & Screening Process (subject to change):

· Application Process:

o Please submit an up to date tailored CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter by the 10th of May 2024.

· Interview & Selection Process:

o Two interview rounds will be required for this role