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- Tasks: Join us as a Product Launch Specialist, managing product data and ensuring smooth launches.
- Company: Be part of John Lewis Partnership, the UK's largest employee-owned business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a supportive culture, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: This role offers hands-on experience in retail, collaboration with diverse teams, and a chance to thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in data entry and proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term contract until May 2026, with a salary range of £27,700 - £40,250.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 40250 £ per year.
About the role
We are recruiting for a Product Launch Specialist on a fixed-term contract. The successful candidate will be responsible for onboarding new products for John Lewis shops and E-commerce by requesting, uploading & validating accurate, complete and timely product data & digital assets ahead of stock arriving in the warehouse. You will work closely with suppliers and internal teams, to maximise the customer experience and to drive search, conversion and sales of John Lewis products. You will manage high volumes of data in our Product Information Management tool, to ensure that all new products are created and enriched to JL standards within SLAs.
You will work closely with:
- Product Launch Manager & other Product Launch Specialists
- 3rd parties (e.g. Suppliers, ITG, GXO)
- Buying Offices (Buying Assistants, Buyers & Merchandisers)
- Product Launch Operations matrix team (e.g. Asset Production, Post-Production, Launch Executives, Copywriters)
- Product Data Team
- Supplier Operations
- E-Commerce
- Commercial Optimisation
- Data Management Office
- Tech & Change
Salary range - The Partnership salary range for this role is set at £27,700 - £40,250
Contract type - This position is a Secondment/Fixed Term contract until May 2026
Working pattern/flexible working - We know flexible working is important to you, and it is important to us too. The Partnership has adopted a blended working approach meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The Product Launch team work 1 day a week in the office (Wednesdays) to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings.
Location - This role is based at our Pimlico Head Office campus. Please note, any cost incurred as a result of travel to the office is the responsibility of the successful candidate. There is no travel allowance for this role.
Key responsibilities
You will be accountable for the creation and collation of accurate product data and supplier provided digital assets that meet our launch requirements. You will take ownership of supplier compliance of ‘right first time’ data through supplier training and work closely with Product Launch colleagues to ensure that product information is to the required standard. You will be the point of contact for suppliers for all Product Set Up activities and drive compliance to ensure data is complete and accurate. You will escalate ongoing compliance issues as appropriate, building strong relationships across Product Launch Operations to support end to end improvements. You will be responsible for item creation of product data in a range of systems, populating rules based attributes, obtaining and populating any additional data required for SEL ticketing. You will be accountable for the critical path of product set up activities and take necessary action to avoid late launch. You will be responsible for maintaining data in the appropriate system to ensure product information is accurate and up to date. You will support the operation of any RPAs (Robotic Process Automations) which form part of the product set-up process.
Our Product Set up Specialists are part of a multi skilled team focused on the activities and processes critical to product launch. As a Product Set Up Specialist, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Setting products up and maintaining data in all relevant systems including creating customer facing tickets ready to be printed in our shops
- Ensuring suppliers are completing data on time and in full
- Working to a critical path to ensure products can launch as soon as they arrive in stock
- Collaborating with colleagues in Buying & Merchandising & Product Launch Operations to mitigate risk to our launch plans
- Working with suppliers to help them meet our launch requirements
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
- Experience with data entry in multiple systems
- Experience with Google Suite & Microsoft Office, specifically in Excel and comfortable with VLookups
- Ability to prioritise effectively
- Comfortable in a team and working with stakeholders
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Experience of meeting KPIs and/or SLAs in an operational team
- Understanding of the product launch process in a retail business
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines
Important points to note: It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Product Launch Specialist employer: John Lewis & Partners
Contact Detail:
John Lewis & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Launch Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the product launch process in retail. Understanding how products are set up and launched will give you a significant advantage during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your data management skills, especially in Excel. Being comfortable with VLookups and data entry across multiple systems is crucial for this role, so practice these skills before your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of John Lewis Partnership. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with KPIs and SLAs. Highlighting your ability to meet targets in an operational environment will demonstrate your suitability for managing the critical path of product launches.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Launch Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Product Launch Specialist. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as managing product data and collaborating with suppliers.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience, especially in data entry and working with multiple systems. Emphasise any experience you have with Google Suite and Microsoft Excel, particularly VLookups, as these are essential for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the product launch process and your ability to meet KPIs and SLAs. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the team.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is accurate and complete. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Know Your Data
As a Product Launch Specialist, you'll be handling a lot of data. Make sure you understand the importance of accurate product information and be prepared to discuss your experience with data entry and management tools, especially Excel and Google Suite.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role involves working closely with various teams and suppliers. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, highlighting your ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively.
✨Understand the Product Launch Process
Familiarise yourself with the product launch process in retail. Be prepared to discuss any relevant experience you have and how you can contribute to ensuring timely and successful product launches.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
You may face challenges in meeting KPIs and SLAs. Think of specific instances where you've had to prioritise tasks or resolve issues under pressure, and be ready to share these during your interview.
