Laura Brook
Wolvey
Summary
Diligent buyer with strong attention to detail and proven project management skills. Organized and proactive, consistently meeting stringent targets and deadlines. Effective negotiator with a track record of delivering exceptional results. Resourceful in communication and planning, ensuring seamless project execution.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
22
22
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Commercial manager
Interfish LTD
Plymouth
2024.09 - Current
- Maintained high-level knowledge of industry trends and competitor activities.
- Streamlined procurement processes to enhance efficiency.
- Coordinated sales operations and promotional plans with key retailers to boost revenue generation.
- Conducted annual negotiations with 4 large retailers, ensuring profitability and Introducing rebates within the deal to incentivise growth and set promotional budgets.
- Developed promotional plans alongside retailers to support growth targets whilst maintaining profitable.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory guidelines to avoid legal issues.
- Liaised with finance department for accurate budget planning and control.
- Developed own brand visibility by fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations and launched online concept with large retailer.
- Addressed customer issues with compassion and professionalism, ensuring swift, successful resolution.
Category Manager - Insulation / Ceilings
Travis Perkins PLC
2022.05 - 2024.08
- Proposing; defining and implementing category strategies including the specific areas of ranging, brand proposition, supplier selection, pricing, trading margin and route to market.
- Establishing effective working relationships with key stakeholders to successfully influence the commerciality of the business.
- Conduct annual and ad hoc negotiations with the key suppliers. Developing deals that included intricate performance driven rebates and joint initiative funding.
- Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders including operations, direct sourcing, quality assurance, supply chain, marketing, finance, legal, sustainability and purchase ledger.
- Drove cost savings via effective negotiations with key suppliers.
- Developing the customer proposition by driving innovation and new products into the business to target the needs of the customer segments.
- Organised successful working groups and training days to support category growth
- Supporting the day to day commercial requirements across the branch network.
- Analysed sales reports to identify trends and provide market update direct to senior management team.
- Collaborating with the relevant Divisional buying team to maximise group scale.
- Organised special sales at specific times to drive customer engagement and move high volumes of products.
- Developed marketing plans to support department strategies.
Assistant Buyer - Fish & Seafood
Aldi Stores LTD
2014.09 - 2022.04
- Fully responsible for managing suppliers on every operational aspect.
- Manage the efficient and accurate flow of communication both internally and externally.
- Actively manage areas of responsibility through driving innovation and change.
- Critical path management to ensure projects launch on time.
- Communicating any changes to the product, contract, supplier information or retail/ cost changes, to the 13 regional depots across the UK & Ireland.
- Being proactive when facing supply issues, to ensure lost sale opportunities are kept to a minimum.
- Understand complex POS/financial data and present to stakeholders.
- Display ownership for the category, namely issues, innovation, idea generation, execution.
- Control the whole Tender process and tender all core lines annually and present samples and costs to stakeholders as well as the market to ensure Aldi are inline on quality and supply base.
- Negotiate contract cost, terms, agreements and develop strategic partnerships with suppliers.
- Analyse Market/competitor data to identify gaps in current product range and maintain low retails against competitors, whilst never compromising on quality.
- Ensures that all computerised procedures and files are accurate and up to date at all times.
- Manage all due diligence, advertising, and related issues for new products.
- Manage the Buying Director's diary.
Education
The Complete Skilled Negotiator -
The Gap Partnership
2001.04 - 2023.10
BA/BSc - Combined Honours Sport and Health
Manchester Metropolitan University
ManchesterA-Levels - undefined
King Edward VI College
NuneatonGCSE's - undefined
Nicholas Chamberlaine School
BedworthSkills
- Microsoft Office
- Competitor analysis
- Negotiation skills
- Supply Chain Management
- Relationship Building
- Strategy Development / Management
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Purchase Management
- Training
- SAP software proficiency
- Data-driven decision-making
Interests/Hobbies
Netball, Running, Travel, Cooking and baking
Personal Information
- Driving Licence Full/Clean and access to own car
- Health Excellent; non-smoker
References
References are available on Request
Timeline
Commercial manager
Interfish LTD
2024.09 - Current
Category Manager - Insulation / Ceilings
Travis Perkins PLC
2022.05 - 2024.08
Assistant Buyer - Fish & Seafood
Aldi Stores LTD
2014.09 - 2022.04
The Complete Skilled Negotiator -
The Gap Partnership
2001.04 - 2023.10
BA/BSc - Combined Honours Sport and Health
Manchester Metropolitan University
A-Levels - undefined
King Edward VI College
GCSE's - undefined
Nicholas Chamberlaine School