Company Description
More than 20 years ago, zooplus was one of the first to bring the pet category into the world of eCommerce. Today, we stand strong as Europe’s leading online pet platform, delivering moments of happiness to more than 9 million pet parents each year.
We’re on a mission to create joy for pets and their parents, driven by our core values of Care, Courage, Openness, and Simplicity. At the heart of everything we do, they inspire us to grow, raise the bar for our customers and fuel a pet-first business.
Job Description
The primary mission of the Team Lead Vendor Manager in the UK is to manage and optimize vendor relationships, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products and services in line with the company’s strategic goals. This role also involves managing a team of 2 vendor managers, fostering strong relationships with key suppliers, and driving performance improvements through effective negotiation, risk management, and continuous monitoring of supplier performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in business-related discipline
• Between 5-7 years of relevant experience in Vendor Management, Category Management, or Purchasing, with a proven track record in the FMCG, retail, or e-commerce industries.
• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role, demonstrating the ability to manage and develop teams.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills with the ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with suppliers.
• Analytical mindset with a demonstrated ability to leverage data in decision-making.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluency in English is essential; additional language skills are an advantage.
• In-depth product and industry knowledge, preferably in the pet, retail, or FMCG sectors.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with ERP systems and data analysis tools is a plus.
  Additional Information

• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and inspire a team of vendor management professionals to achieve category objectives. Set clear goals, monitor performance, and provide feedback to foster professional growth and team productivity.
• Product Strategy Development: Independently develop, implement, and control a product range strategy in alignment with business goals and market demands.
• Assortment Management: Define and select an assortment that aligns with the overall strategy, including clear and data-driven decisions for listing and delisting products.
• Lifecycle Management: Manage the product lifecycle to ensure optimal performance and continuous improvement of the product range.
• Supplier Acquisition & Negotiation: Actively identify and acquire new suppliers and brands. Negotiate supplier-funded promotions and budgets to maximize profitability.
• Performance Optimization: Continuously monitor and analyze assortment performance, using KPIs to inform strategic decisions and improve article performance.
• Market & Competitor Analysis: Conduct regular analyses of trends, competitors, and customer needs to anticipate market shifts and identify new opportunities.
• Pricing Strategy: Work closely with the pricing manager to establish competitive pricing for new products while aligning with the broader pricing strategy.
• Sales Planning & Product Presentation: Manage sales forecasts and product sell-through, ensuring an attractive presentation of products.
• Project Management: Drive and manage strategic, cross-functional projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with broader business objectives.
• Collaboration: Promote collaboration within your team and across departments, including Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance, ensuring alignment on strategic initiatives and efficient project execution