Buying Director - London

On behalf of Coterie Holdings.

Join a dynamic, market-leading fine wine group! Coterie Holdings is building a unique ecosystem encompassing all aspects of fine wine, from acquisition and storage to trade and enjoyment. We’re passionate about delivering best-in-class service through our expert team, streamlined processes, and cutting-edge technology. With ambitious plans for international expansion, particularly in Asia, there’s never been a more exciting time to join Coterie Holdings. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment where employees can thrive and make a significant impact. Shape the future of fine wine with us

Role Summary
To source the optimal portfolio of wines from designated countries and regions of the world aligned to a defined category strategy for each business unit and territory in which Coterie operates. The Buying Director will have full control of their assortments, taking every opportunity to improve and refine in conjunction with Coterie’s ambitions to partner with the very best suppliers in the world. This is a highly commercial role to ensure the ranges are driving the greatest level of profit and growth opportunity for the business working in conjunction with the Group Buying Director and Global Portfolio Director to define the portfolios and the Brand Management teams and Operations (UK and local market) to ensure the right decisions are implemented effectively

Primary Responsibilities

• Define the category plan for each region and country across the various business units and territories
• Delivering against the business units commercial targets, in particular sales, margin, working capital
  and stock holding
• Own and control the commercials across the sourcing platform including pricing, support, margin delivery versus target, payment terms (alignment to Group terms), production lead times and supplier contracts
• Agree the Supplier Strategy for key suppliers selling across Coterie, in alignment with the Buying teams and Sales Directors, with the primary objective of ensuring core, strategic suppliers have the optimum levels of commercial opportunity to drive value and synergies for the group
• Manage the supplier relationship from a commercial perspective scheduling review meetings to assess performance and improvement opportunities
• Agree the Category Plan for each region and country across the various business units and territories with the Global Portfolio Manager and the Brand Manager
• Analyse all wines performance versus hurdle rates of both margin % and volume by channel – ensure duplicate lines are removed and poor performing lines delisted to drive optimal efficiency in each business unit
• Accountable for stock levels in each business unit working closely with the operational teams to deliver against stocking policy and implementation of forecasting model
• In conjunction with the Global Portfolio Manager agree channel strategy and sales targets for every wine and monitor performance
• Develop a pipeline of new agencies and suppliers to drive growth and continuously improve the credentials of the business
• Align with Operations to ensure that portfolio decisions support efficiencies across Coterie’s distribution model, supporting working capital challenges for the Group
• Ensure all Owned-IP wines are strategically positioned across the Group to drive equity and distribution value for the business
• Contribute to the Group’s supplier contract policy, devising the document to both protect the Group and enhance commercial value from our supplier relationships
• Ensure that all strategy meeting decisions are implemented and achieved within desired timescale in conjunction with the Group Wine Director
• Manage the interface with international partners under varying operating models
• Represent Coterie with suppliers, customers, colleagues and the wider industry network
• Support the continued expansion of Coterie and the wider team’s culture

Required Skills and Experience

• Over 5 years’ experience at a senior level in buying
• International Experience in Wine retail and distribution
• WSET Diploma or above
• Ideally international experience in wine retail, buying or distribution
• Ideally previous management experience

To perform the role to a high level, you’ll be able to demonstrate the following skills and behaviours

• Proven commercial acumen
• Strategic vision
• Excellent communication skills to suppliers, colleagues and trade
• Understanding of systems and process mapping
• Strong wine knowledge and an in-depth understanding of key wine supply production areas
• Excellent inter-personal and presentation skills – able to adapt communication style to suit audience
• Computer and data literate
• Languages ideally – French, Spanish, Italian

Additional Information

• International travel required on a regular basis
• Full time role

What we offer

• Salary: Dependent upon experience
• Bonus: an annual bonus scheme, based on company and individual performance
• Pension: employee-employer matched pension contributions of 5% each
• Healthcare: Bupa Private Healthcare
• Events: company-sponsored social events
• Education: Opportunity for wine education sponsorship
• Flexibility: this role is flexible with a base of either our Mayfair or Luton office and the ability to work from home
• Additional Benefits:
  o Team member discount on wine
  o An opportunity to build your career, not just take a job