At a Glance
- Tasks: Optimise product placement and store layouts to enhance customer experience and drive sales.
- Company: Join James Hall & Co., a family-run business with over 150 years of community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 30 days annual leave, and a 20% staff discount.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experience while developing your analytical skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in micro space planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Based at our contemporary head office and distribution centre on the outskirts of Preston, James Hall & Co. Ltd. have been established for over 150 years proudly serving communities across the north of England as supplier and distributor to over 450 SPAR stores. We are proud to be one of the biggest employers in Lancashire with over 4000 colleagues who represent our core values of passion, enterprise, and family every single day.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of work: 38 hours per week
Location: Office based - James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR Distribution Centre, Bowland View, Preston, PR2 5QT
About the Role
We are looking for a detail-focused and analytical Micro Space Planner to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for optimising product placement and store layouts at a detailed level, ensuring space is used effectively to drive sales, enhance the customer experience, and support the wider commercial strategy. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, layout design, and problem-solving to make a tangible impact across the business.
Here’s What You Can Expect to be Doing
- Support the effective use of retail space by analysing data and developing practical layout solutions that improve product visibility, customer experience, and commercial performance.
- Create and maintain detailed space plans using planogramming and space‑planning software.
- Analyse product performance, customer behaviour, and commercial data to inform layout decisions.
- Maximise the efficiency of shelves, fixtures, and category space allocation.
- Work closely with Category Managers, Merchandising, Store Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
- Maintain accurate planogram libraries and ensure compliance across the store estate.
- Identify opportunities to improve layout, density, and visual appeal.
- Support range reviews, seasonal changes, and new store openings or refits.
- Present planning recommendations with clear, evidence-based rationale.
A Few Things About You
- You will be analytical, detail-focused, and confident using data and insight to make informed decisions that support both the customer experience and commercial objectives.
- Experience in micro space planning, merchandising, planogramming, or a similar analytical role.
- Strong proficiency with space‑planning tools (e.g. JDA/Blue Yonder, Nielsen Spaceman, or similar).
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and customer insight.
- An eye for detail and a passion for layout optimisation.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.
- Great communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Why Join Our Team
- Be part of a collaborative team where your work directly influences customer experience and commercial performance.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- A supportive environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Why Join Us?
James Hall & Co. Ltd. have one simple vision: to still be in business in another 50 years! To make this vision possible we need the best talent to join us on our journey. We are a family company and believe that if we look after our people, they will look after us.
- Loyalty Pay: Celebrate your work anniversary with a little extra! You’ll earn an additional £0.25 per hour over the financial year, with the hourly amount increasing the longer you stay with us. Your total is paid as a lump sum in the month following your anniversary.
- 20% Staff Discount: Enjoy 20% off your shopping in our company-owned SPAR stores — perfect for those everyday essentials and treats.
- Annual Leave: Start with a generous 30 days of annual leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays. Entitlement increases with length of service, rewarding your continued commitment.
- Health & Wellbeing: All colleagues can access our on‑site registered nurses and physiotherapist at Bowland View for confidential support. We also run a year‑round programme of health and wellbeing initiatives covering physical, mental, and lifestyle topics.
- Company Sick Pay: We offer a Company Sick Pay scheme to support you during periods of ill health, providing peace of mind when you need it most.
- Pension & Life Insurance: You will be enrolled into the Nest pension scheme. After two years of service, you will also receive life insurance cover, offering added security for you and your loved ones.
- Free Onsite Parking: All colleagues have access to free onsite parking, making your commute more convenient and cost-effective.
- Learning & Development: Whether you're looking to build your career or gain new skills, our in‑house team will support you with fully funded, accredited training and industry‑recognised qualifications.
- Grocery Aid Support: Access free, confidential, 24/7 support through Grocery Aid — offering expert advice and help on everything from mental health and financial concerns to legal issues and family support.
Please note if we receive a high number of applicants, we may close the advert early. We advise interested candidates to submit their applications promptly to avoid disappointment.
James Hall & Co. - Category Planner employer: James Hall
At James Hall & Co. Ltd., we pride ourselves on being a family-oriented employer that values passion, enterprise, and community. Our contemporary head office in Preston offers a supportive work culture with ample opportunities for professional growth, competitive benefits including a generous annual leave policy, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying perks like a 20% staff discount and access to health resources, all within a collaborative team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land James Hall & Co. - Category Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at James Hall & Co. on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their values and recent projects. Show us how your skills in micro space planning can directly impact their commercial performance and customer experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! You might need to present your planning recommendations, so being clear and confident will set you apart. Use data to back up your ideas and make them compelling.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the James Hall family.
We think you need these skills to ace James Hall & Co. - Category Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Planner role. Highlight your experience in micro space planning and any relevant tools you've used, like JDA or Nielsen Spaceman. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:Since this role is all about data and layout optimisation, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical prowess. Include examples of how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles. We love a good story backed by numbers!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands quickly. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining the James Hall family!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Hall
✨Know Your Data
As a Category Planner, you'll be working with data daily. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used data in past roles to inform decisions. Bring examples of how you've optimised layouts or improved product visibility based on data insights.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Planogramming Tools
Make sure you're comfortable with space-planning software like JDA/Blue Yonder or Nielsen Spaceman. If you have experience with these tools, be ready to share specific instances where they helped you achieve better results in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
The role requires a knack for problem-solving, so think of challenges you've faced in previous positions and how you overcame them. Be prepared to discuss your thought process and the impact of your solutions on customer experience and sales.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key when working with various teams. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a mock presentation of a planning recommendation to demonstrate your ability to present evidence-based rationale effectively.
