News

Waitrose boosts team with new wine trading manager

08 October 2024 By Arabella Mileham

UK grocer Waitrose has appointed the category manager for its beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks department as the new wine trading manager.

Nicola Jones, who originally joined the retailer via the graduate scheme, has been part of Waitrose’s commercial & trading team for 13 years, and has worked closely with the BWS and soft drinks team as category strategy manager. She will start her new role on 13 October, as the team prepares a series of new launches across its own-label Blueprint, Loved & Found and No.1 ranges.

Jones said she was “deeply passionate” about the category “at a time when we have incredible opportunities to drive growth.”

“Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of collaborating closely with the Beers, Wines, Spirits, and Soft Drinks team as Category Strategy Manager, and I look forward to bringing my own knowledge and expertise to the team,” she said.

Pierpaolo Petrassi MW, the head of BWS at Waitrose added he was delighted that Jones was joining the team at a “crucial” time.“As we enter the busy Christmas period, we have some really exciting newness landing in Blueprint, Loved & Found wines as well as our No.1 range and are working hard with our trusted suppliers to keep the magic and innovation that we are famous for.”

“Her customer focus, passion for product and in depth knowledge of the business will be vital as she leads our team of talented wine buyers as trading manager.”