At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to optimise merchandising strategies and enhance customer shopping experiences.
- Company: Join Co-op, a community-focused organisation that values its members.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, 28 days holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career development and a diverse work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how customers shop while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a customer-first mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
- Space Planning and Merchandising Manager
- £55,000 to £65,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 5)
Manchester city centre, in this role you’ll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home, coming into the office and visiting our stores as needed (find out more about our hybrid working policy at colleagues. coop. co. uk/hybrid-working-policy).
12-month fixed-term contract
We’re looking for a Space Planning and Merchandising Manager to join our Range & Display team here at Co‑op.
In this role, our customers will be at the heart of everything you do.
You’ll own, define and develop our approach to micro‑space optimisation aligned to our range and display strategy.
We’ll look to you to run a team of up to twelve Micro Space Planners that will make our brilliant Co‑op ranges really easy for our customers to shop and for our store teams to manage.
You’ll be responsible for making sure our overall proposition is merchandised in the right place at the right time for our customers, members, channels and colleagues.
- What you’ll do
- Develop our merchandising principles and guardrails to make sure our proposition consistently shows up for our customers, members and colleagues.
- Drive the change needed to embed strategies and objectives into ways of working processes and decision‑making across our partner business areas.
- Look to continuously improve how we use our micro‑space and merchandising capability to meet our business and customer needs, making sure it’s commercially successful and fit for the future.
- Lead, coach and develop a large team of Micro Space Planners responsible for the optimisation and maintenance of all multi‑channel planograms.
- Work cross‑functionally and influence across the business to make sure the teams are aligned and can deliver successfully across customer, commercial and operational outcomes.
- Make sure planograms are continually maintained accurately, on time and to agreed quality and outcomes.
- Work together with business leaders to set up the right conditions to enable the team to meet all merchandising principles and guardrails whilst delivering against range review and promotional objectives.
- Support and input into projects, tests, and trials that require a different approach to support our changing business strategy and objectives.
- This role would suit people who have
- Proven leadership experience with the ability to motivate a team whilst prioritising the delivery of business needs and objectives.
- A customer‑first mindset and commercial acumen.
- A clear focus on future planning, to help influence the right decision making today.
- The ability to champion change whilst building strong relationships internally and externally.
- Excellent influencing, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to question and challenge where necessary.
- Category management and merchandising/display experience with an understanding of inventory and range review processes.
Why Co‑op?
At Co‑op, we’re owned by our members.
And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you.
So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement.
We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose.
- We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:
- An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance).
- 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays.
- A pension with up to 10% employer contributions.
- Private healthcare.
- Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ).
- Coaching and training to support your career development.
- Wagestream app – giving you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn.
- Building a diverse environment
We’re actively building diverse teams and we welcome applications from everyone.
If you have a disability, we can make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process according to your needs.
We’re also part of the Disability Confident scheme, meaning we’ll always offer an interview to disabled candidates who apply through the scheme if they meet the minimum criteria for a job.
We’ll ask whether you’d like to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme when you apply.
If we invite you to take part in the recruitment process for any of our jobs, we’ll ask you if you need any reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate.
You can find out more about our recruitment process at jobs. coop. co. uk/apply-process.
You can find out more about the Disability Confident scheme at Disability Confident Scheme - Co‑op Colleagues and more about our commitments to diversity and inclusion at Diversity and Inclusion.
Please note that we may close applications for this role early.
As part of your application, you’ll need to complete an online assessment.
This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes.
If you’re a current Co‑op colleague, this does not need to be completed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Space Planning and Merchandising Manager in Manchester employer: 4695 Broadford
Co-op Wholesale in Scunthorpe is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a hybrid working model, employees enjoy the flexibility of remote work while benefiting from a supportive team culture and ample opportunities for professional growth. The company provides competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to employee development, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Space Planning and Merchandising Manager in Manchester
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Space Planning and Merchandising Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to 4695 Broadford:Don’t forget to personalise your application for 4695 Broadford! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at 4695 Broadford
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that 4695 Broadford offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at 4695 Broadford and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
