Model, Specification & Kit Manager - Leeds

As Model, Specification & Kit Manager, you will manage the development, governance, and continuous evolution of ASDA's store models, specifications, and kit strategy. You will be accountable for translating store design vision into scalable, commercially effective standards that enable consistent, high-performing store environments across the estate. You will operate as the strategic owner and have authority on store models and specifications, ensuring they are robust, future-fit, and aligned to trading priorities, customer expectations, and operational efficiency. Working in close partnership with Trading, Commercial, Operations, and Construction, you will ensure design intent is not only clearly defined but practically deliverable at pace and scale. You will also manage the evaluation of kit trials and model innovation, using data and insight to drive decision-making, optimise investment, and continually improve store performance. This role requires strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders while balancing standardisation with flexibility. This is an opportunity for someone who thrives in complexity, sets direction rather than follows it, and is passionate about shaping compelling, operationally excellent retail environments.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Standards: Own and define the long‑term strategy for store models, design standards, and kit specifications across all formats. Ensure all models and specifications are scalable, deliverable, and aligned with business strategy and customer proposition. Translate design vision into clear frameworks, standards, and principles that guide delivery teams. Act as the 'source of truth' for store models, ensuring consistency while enabling innovation where needed. Oversee development and maintenance of CAD drawings, technical documentation, and spec on standards to ensure accuracy and usability.
• Leadership, Collaboration & Stakeholder Influence: Build strong, effective relationships across Trading Projects, Commercial, Operations, and Construction, influencing direction and aligning priorities. Manage cross‑functional alignment on store model decisions, ensuring clarity, accountability, and pace of execution. Act as a key interface between strategy and delivery, ensuring seamless translation from concept to implementation. Provide leadership, coaching, and expert guidance to project and delivery teams on models, kit, and specifications.
• Governance & Standards: Define and uphold governance frameworks for model and specification control, ensuring changes are rigorously assessed, approved, and communicated. Ensure all standards meet regulatory, health & safety, operational, and brand requirements. Manage decision‑making on model evolution, balancing innovation with consistency and operational feasibility.
• Commercial & Operational Leadership: Own the performance of kit and specification decisions, driving cost‑effective solutions without compromising quality or experience. Evaluate trials, pilots, and post‑implementation performance to inform strategic roll‑out decisions. Balance customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial performance when shaping models and specifications. Identify and deliver opportunities to optimise cost, reduce complexity, and improve execution efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Manage the continuous development of store model and specification processes, driving standardisation and simplification where appropriate. Champion innovation through structured trials, embedding a test‑and‑learn approach across the function. Drive adoption of best practice, ensuring the organisation continually improves how it designs and delivers stores.

Qualifications

• Kit and specification expert, with deep knowledge of retail fixtures, equipment, and materials – and how these translate into practical, high‑performing store environments.
• Proficiency in CAD or a strong willingness to learn, with the ability to confidently review, challenge, and guide technical drawings and layouts to ensure accuracy and deliverability.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and ownership, with the ability to set direction and influence at senior levels.
• Brings a deep understanding of retail environments and what drives performance on the shop floor.
• Combines strategic thinking with operational expertise, ensuring ideas translate into real‑world execution.
• Highly commercial, able to evaluate trade‑offs and make decisions that optimise cost, performance, and experience.
• Proven ability to manage through complexity, aligning multiple stakeholders and driving clarity.
• Strong focus on governance, standards, and continuous improvement, with the confidence to challenge where needed.
• Uses insight, data, and trial outcomes to inform decisions and shape future strategy.
• Excellent communicator, able to simplify complex concepts and build alignment across diverse teams.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced, evolving environment and leads change with energy and credibility.

Work Arrangement

Asda has a hybrid way of working with a minimum of 3 days a week in one of our Home Offices. Over and above this, each area of Asda may have additional requirements which may require spending more days in the office, visiting suppliers, stores or depots.

Benefits

You will also get an excellent benefits package including:

• Discretionary company bonus
• Company pension up to 7% matched
• Company Car allowance of £5,700
• 15% colleague discount in store and online
• Free access to wellbeing services such as Stream, 24/7 virtual GP, counselling, health and dental cash plans and a 24/7 employee assistance helpline, alongside discounts across a range of services and activities, from airport parking, enhanced to theme parks and cinemas.
• Asda Allies Inclusion Networks – helping colleagues to make sure everybody is included and that our differences are recognised and celebrated
• Excellent parental leave policies, including maternity & adoption leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, neonatal care leave, and support for those doing fertility treatments.

We want all colleagues to be able to bring their best and true selves to work, every day. Simply put, we want our colleagues to be Proud to Asda and proud to be themselves.