Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
REFERENCES
Timeline
Generic
NICKI HOBBS

NICKI HOBBS

Farnham

Summary

I am passionate about products, retail and achieving fantastic commercial results through collaboration with key stakeholders and by inspiring, satisfying and wowing customers. I love working with others to set a vision and achieve our goals, whilst having some fun on the way. I love to learn and challenge myself.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Buyer - Pet

Waitrose
05.2022 - 11.2024
  • I have collaborated with a range of stakeholders across the business to develop and deliver a bold vision for the Pet category, focusing on increasing penetration and driving trade-up opportunities
  • This included the launch of Waitrose’s first ever Pet event, which successfully attracted 39,000 new customers and boosted spending from existing shoppers, achieving our key objectives
  • I also implemented category-specific navigational signage, with elevation of treats as the gateway to the category, funded by suppliers through my joint business plans, to further enhance penetration
  • Additionally, I spearheaded a trial of Pet freezers, designed to capitalise on emerging market trends
  • To encourage trade-up, we introduced six educational cubes per quarter in the Pet aisle and developed a unique piece of dog toy equipment, both funded by supplier partnerships
  • The POD has provided excellent feedback on both engagement and execution of the plan
  • Since the review, customer measures have all improved and customers are trading up
  • In my role as Online Trading Lead for Non-Food & GM, I am driving the optimisation of online performance for my category and the broader department
  • This has been achieved through improved processes, impactful events, and category deep dives, resulting in the implementation of targeted tactical solutions




Buying Subject Matter Expert – MDM/MO

Waitrose
05.2021 - 05.2022
  • My strengths in this role were my capacity to work with large amounts of complex data, showing empathy to end users when finding solutions to system issues and working closely with IT contractors and business users to test the system
  • I was able to stay calm under pressure and instil confidence in others through my approach
  • I worked well with Partners at all levels and in periods of real ambiguity

Buying Subject Matter Expert / Range Optimisation Lead - Cars

Waitrose
06.2020 - 05.2021
  • I tested and supported the development of a tool to facilitate more localised ranging based on customer demographics and missions whilst ensuring a credible range that meets strategic and commercial requirements
  • I moved on to a Range Optimisation Lead role, kicking off the workstream for the business
  • I prioritised categories based on data and insight, set goals and communicated to key stakeholders

Commercial Business Lead - MDM

Waitrose
09.2018 - 06.2019
  • I drove the Commercial agenda across the MDM & MO product programme to deliver processes, systems and ways of working for a wider business benefit
  • I collaborated with Partners, contractors and consultants across the programme as well as leads from multiple directorates to drive the project
  • Using my analytical and influencing skills I challenged the direction and the details when appropriate to minimise impacts on and maximise outcomes for Commercial Partners
  • I ran workshops and presented to large groups of stakeholders and Leadership team Partners

Buyer – Fresh Chicken & BBQ

Waitrose
04.2017 - 09.2018
  • I responded to a need to improve value by reducing essential pricing to the value of £9m.annum whilst also developing added value subcategories and promoting speciality tiers to offset AIP decline, delivering full year sales growth and C3%, despite experiencing cost inflation within the feed model
  • I worked with the product developer to completely refresh our BBQ range alongside a new promotional strategy
  • BBQ sales were +8.17% YoY and C3% flat despite cost inflation and increased promotional redemption

Buyer – Crisps, Nuts & Snacks

Waitrose
11.2012 - 05.2016
  • I set a vision for the category and drove performance through successful Joint Business Plans, tenders, range reviews, new product development and effective promotional planning
  • I grew sales and profit YoY and exceeded my targets
  • I also grew market share

Buyer – Salads & Prepared Produce

Waitrose
11.2010 - 11.2012
  • Working with growers as well as manufacturers to drive the performance of the category through the introduction of dual supply, successful negotiations, effective use of promotions and new product development

Department Manager

Waitrose
04.2008 - 10.2010
  • Accountable for the P&L, delighting customers, managing over 200 Partners and developing talent in a high profile London branch

Graduate Trainee

Waitrose
09.2006 - 04.2008
  • I worked in Waitrose branches to understand the operation and to develop leadership skills

Education

BSc (Hons) - CHEMISTRY

University of Leeds
09.2002 - 07.2005

A-LEVELS - CHEMISTRY (B), PHYSICS (C), PHYSICAL EDUCATION (A), GENERAL STUDIES (B)

City of London Freemen’s School
09.1999 - 07.2001

GCSES - 2A 7A, 1B INCLUDING MATHEMATICS & ENGLISH LANGUAGE

City of London Freemen's School
09.1991 - 07.1999

Skills

  • Analytical & Critical Thinking
  • Influencing
  • Applying insight & analytics
  • Collaboration & Support
  • Communication & Influencing
  • Customer & Performance focus
  • Problem Solving
  • Planning & Delivering Excellence

Affiliations

  • I love to eat scrumptious food and drink delicious wine with friends and family. I enjoy sports and keeping fit. I love days out with my family and catching up with friends.

REFERENCES

  • Lisa Oaten, Trading Manager, Household & Kiosk, Lisa.Oaten@Waitrose.co.uk
  • Giles Marsen, Director of Commercial Optimisation, Giles.Marsen@Waitrose.co.uk

Timeline

Buyer - Pet

Waitrose
05.2022 - 11.2024

Buying Subject Matter Expert – MDM/MO

Waitrose
05.2021 - 05.2022

Buying Subject Matter Expert / Range Optimisation Lead - Cars

Waitrose
06.2020 - 05.2021

Commercial Business Lead - MDM

Waitrose
09.2018 - 06.2019

Buyer – Fresh Chicken & BBQ

Waitrose
04.2017 - 09.2018

Buyer – Crisps, Nuts & Snacks

Waitrose
11.2012 - 05.2016

Buyer – Salads & Prepared Produce

Waitrose
11.2010 - 11.2012

Department Manager

Waitrose
04.2008 - 10.2010

Graduate Trainee

Waitrose
09.2006 - 04.2008

BSc (Hons) - CHEMISTRY

University of Leeds
09.2002 - 07.2005

A-LEVELS - CHEMISTRY (B), PHYSICS (C), PHYSICAL EDUCATION (A), GENERAL STUDIES (B)

City of London Freemen’s School
09.1999 - 07.2001

GCSES - 2A 7A, 1B INCLUDING MATHEMATICS & ENGLISH LANGUAGE

City of London Freemen's School
09.1991 - 07.1999

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NICKI HOBBS