At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape retail spaces and enhance customer experiences through innovative planning.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider with a family-oriented culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, healthcare, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on retail strategies while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel required.
The predicted salary is between 30150 - 36850 £ per year.
Henderson Group is proud to be Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider and one of the region's largest employers. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property who work together to serve customers and communities across Northern Ireland, supported by more than 6,000 colleagues. We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live. Our commitment to creating a positive place to work is reflected in our Investors in People accreditation.
Our Customer Proposition team consists of Format Development, Commercial Development along with Space Planning and Category Development playing a key role in shaping our store offering to meet the needs of our customers. As a result of growth, we are now recruiting for a Senior Retail Space Planner. Our retail Space Planning Team supports our long-term vision and execution for category growth strategies.
The main objective is to execute Range Reviews that tie in with Category Plans designed to ensure our stores carry the optimum range to meet consumer demand and maximise sales, profit and efficiencies. As a Senior Retail Space Planner, you will carry out the following duties:
- Develop and maintain micro layout principles across formats, defining customer flows and product adjacencies.
- Support category and space strategy development, identifying emerging trends, growth opportunities and potential for new and existing categories.
- Use sales data and shopper and supplier insights to optimise product ranges, shelf positioning and space allocation across store formats.
- Work with Trading Managers and the Food Development team to agree category strategies and drive improvements in sales, profitability and efficiency.
- Manage the Range Review process across Ambient, Frozen and Fresh categories, ensuring timely delivery, clear communication and stakeholder buy-in.
- Evaluate range review performance, measuring improvements in sales, profitability and efficiency and taking corrective action where needed.
- Optimise store layouts and bay counts using category performance data to support new stores, refits and existing store improvements.
- Develop category planograms with Trading to support the profitable rollout of ASR across HRL and HWL stores.
- Identify process improvements and better use of technology to enhance efficiency and data accuracy throughout the range review process.
- Lead, coach and develop the team, ensuring effective category plans land to maximise store space, meet customer demand and drive sales.
- Provide the team with clear direction, support and development opportunities through regular feedback and performance reviews.
- Manage team resources and workloads effectively, ensuring priorities are delivered.
Skills for Success:
The minimum criteria you'll need is:
- Significant experience in the FMCG sector.
- Solid working knowledge of Category Management, space planning, or similar retail/commercial environments.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, with particular expertise in Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and presenting insights in a clear and actionable format.
- Full Clean UK/EU Driving License with access to your own vehicle for travel purposes.
The attributes you'll need include:
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to use initiative, solve problems, and make data-driven decisions.
- Creative flair and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring high-quality output in all tasks.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging confidently and effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Commercially minded and results-oriented, with a focus on achieving measurable business outcomes.
- Proactive in challenging existing processes and proposing innovative solutions to drive efficiency and growth.
It is desirable if you have:
- Third Level Qualification in Business or a relevant subject.
- Proficiency with QlikView or comparable tools for conducting rigorous data-driven analyses.
- Solid understanding of the NI convenience retail market.
- Previous experience within food retail or wholesale environments.
- Consumer insights experience.
- Expertise in critical path planning to manage complex projects and ensure timely delivery.
- Hands-on experience in Category Management.
- Experience in space planning, optimising product placement to maximise sales and customer engagement.
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by:
- Ambition: We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
- Customer First: We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
- Teamwork: We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
- Integrity: We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.
Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, bonus, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Reward Gateway Employee Recognition & Discount Scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. We are open to considering alternative working arrangements, including flexibility around working hours and working patterns, where these can be accommodated within business requirements. Hybrid working arrangement available.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer. This position will require travel across NI & GB as and when needed. Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Thursday 26th November 2026. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Senior Retail Space Planner - Customer Proposition (Wholesale) Attractive employer: Henderson Group
Henderson Group is an exceptional employer, recognised for its commitment to employee development and a supportive work culture that prioritises teamwork, integrity, and customer service. As a Deli Supervisor at our Galgorm Road location, you will enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to grow within a family-owned business that values ambition and community engagement. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience in a dynamic foodservice environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Retail Space Planner - Customer Proposition (Wholesale) Attractive
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Henderson Group, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Henderson Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Retail Space Planner - Customer Proposition (Wholesale) Attractive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Henderson Group, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Henderson Group and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Henderson Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
