Head Of Trading

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 Head of Trading 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 the Trading Director and will be based in the Group headquarter office in Park West, Dublin.

Key Responsibilities:

• Trading Strategy: Set and deliver the commercial strategy to achieve sales, margin, and profitability targets across all categories.
• Lead and Inspire: Manage and develop a high-performing trading team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Commercial Performance: Take full P&L responsibility for the Trading function, ensuring robust budget management and cost control.
• Supplier Partnerships: Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, leading negotiations for Joint Business Plans (JBP) and Long-Term Agreements (LTA).
• Innovation & Growth: Identify new revenue streams and drive cross-category innovation to enhance customer offering and business performance.
• Customer-Centric Approach: Ensure competitive pricing, compelling product ranges, and seasonal strategies that meet evolving customer needs.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Champion the use of analytics and market insights to inform strategy, optimise performance, and anticipate trends.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure all trading activities adhere to company standards, regulatory requirements, and ethical practices.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with senior leadership and key departments (Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance) to align trading objectives with overall business goals.
• Change Leadership: Drive transformation initiatives and process improvements to deliver efficiency and scalability in a fast-paced environment.

The Candidate should have the following:

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in senior trading, buying, or category management roles within FMCG retail.
• Proven track record of delivering commercial growth and managing complex category portfolios.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with experience in supplier relationship management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint); experience with Power BI and SAP highly desirable.
• Exceptional analytical capability with the ability to interpret data and make strategic decisions.
• Deep understanding of market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitive landscapes.

Key Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and a results-driven mindset.
• Dynamic leader who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Excellent communicator and collaborator, able to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused with a ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Passionate about innovation and delivering value to customers and the business.
• Willingness to travel occasionally as required.

Illustrative Application & Screening Process (subject to change):

Application Process:

• Please submit an up to date tailored CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter by the 30th January 2026.

Interview & Selection Process:

• Two interview rounds will be required for this role