Head of Online Trading

Head of Online Trading

Full-Time 66150 - 80850 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead online trading strategy and drive sales across all categories.
  • Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a leader in innovative retail.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to positive change.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced digital environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in ecommerce and strong analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.

The Head of Online Trading is accountable for delivering best in class online commercial performance across all categories and business units.

This role drives sales, conversion, and customer engagement through exceptional daily execution across all devices, data led decision making, and continuous optimisation of the end to end trading experience.

A strategic leader with strong interpersonal skills and a deeply embedded digital mindset, they inspire, coach, and develop high performing multi category trading teams.

They define and implement the online trading strategy, ensuring the site consistently reflects brand values while balancing commercial targets and evolving customer needs.

The role oversees the full trading lifecycle: ensuring products launch accurately and on time; delivering commercial, marketing, and seasonal plans flawlessly; and proactively using digital insights to influence cross functional partners across Buying, Merchandising, Content & Imagery and Marketing.

Success is measured through robust trading outcomes: including sales, conversion, customer engagement, availability, accuracy, speed to site, execution quality, and overall customer satisfaction.

  • Proven leadership in online trading, ecommerce merchandising or digital commercial roles
  • Strong grasp of ecommerce principles, journeys, behaviours and trading levers
  • Highly data driven, with strong analytical interpretation skills
  • Excellent communicator with the ability to influence across BUs and central functions
  • Experienced in leading high performing, multi category teams in a fast paced environment
  • Strong understanding of product onboarding, CMS and PIM processes
  • Knowledge of SEO, onsite search optimisation and UX principles
  • Able to balance commercial priorities with customer and digital insight

We are ambitious about the future of retail.

We're disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era.

We're transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet.

Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers.

Join us and make change happen.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best.

We support each other and work together to win together.

If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application.

This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day.

We're inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.

  • Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
  • 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you've completed your probation
  • Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
  • Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
  • Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
  • Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
  • Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
  • Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
  • 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
  • One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you
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Head of Online Trading employer: Marks and Spencer plc (UK)

Marks and Spencer plc is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on teamwork and collaboration. Located in Kingston upon Thames, employees benefit from a dynamic retail environment where they can grow their skills in fashion and customer service while enjoying opportunities for personal development and career advancement. With a commitment to providing a remarkable shopping experience, Marks and Spencer fosters a supportive atmosphere that values passion and adaptability.

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Contact Details:

Marks and Spencer plc (UK) Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Online Trading

✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community

Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Marks and Spencer plc (UK) are looking for when hiring for a Head of Online Trading.

✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio

In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Marks and Spencer plc (UK) for the Head of Online Trading, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.

✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Marks and Spencer plc (UK) as a Head of Online Trading, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!

✨Utilise Company Resources

Don’t forget to check out Marks and Spencer plc (UK)’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Head of Online Trading.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Online Trading

Customer Engagement
Engagement
Decision Making
Strong Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Marketing
Merchandising

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Marks and Spencer plc (UK), make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Marks and Spencer plc (UK)'s goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.

Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.

Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Marks and Spencer plc (UK). Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer plc (UK)

✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How

In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Marks and Spencer plc (UK) uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.

✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results

For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.

✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics

Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!

✨Engage in a Conversational Style

Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Marks and Spencer plc (UK). Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!