At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Trade Planning and drive commercial performance for M&S Food's biggest customer moments.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in food innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail while making a real impact on customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Strategic thinker with experience in leading complex programmes and data-driven decision-making.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re reshaping our Food business to broaden its appeal, protecting the magic our customers love while modernising everything else. That means outstanding quality, high sourcing standards, and market‑leading innovation remain at our core, while we transform our supply chains, improve our stores, and deliver better value. We’re looking for motivated people ready to bring their whole self to work and thrive in a fast‑paced, ambitious team. After all, this isn’t just food… this is M&S Food.
This is a pivotal role at the heart of M&S Foods, shaping how we plan and deliver our biggest customer moments – from Dine In and promotions to key seasonal events like Christmas Food to Order. You’ll set the long‑term direction, bringing together Commercial, Retail, Online and Marketing to create a clear, joined‑up plan that balances ambition with operational reality. We’re looking for someone who can think big, simplify complexity and drive pace – turning strategy into action and making sure we focus on what matters most for our customers and our commercial performance.
What You’ll Do:
- Set and lead the direction for Trade Planning, Events and Promotions, with a clear and prioritised roadmap.
- Drive commercial performance by grounding decisions in insight, customer impact and financial outcomes.
- Turn strategy into delivery, aligning teams and ensuring plans land at pace across the business.
- Lead governance, risk and trade‑offs, bringing clarity to complex decisions and enabling confident execution.
- Improve ways of working across Foods, increasing pace, simplicity and collaboration across teams.
Who You Are:
- Strategic and commercially astute, able to set clear direction and unlock sustainable growth.
- Experienced in leading complex programmes, translating ambition into clear, prioritised and executable plans.
- A credible and confident influencer, able to align senior partners and drive decisions across the business without direct authority.
- Highly numerate and insight‑led, using data and financial understanding to guide decisions and maximise value.
- Relentless in improving how things work, driving greater pace, clarity and simplicity across planning and delivery.
What’s in it for you?
- 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.
Everyone’s welcome. 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.
Commercial Manager - Trade Planning in London employer: Marks and Spencer
At M&S, we are committed to reshaping our Food business with a focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, making us an exceptional employer for those looking to thrive in a dynamic environment. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering tailored training, competitive benefits, and a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing. Join us in driving meaningful change while enjoying perks like a generous colleague discount, flexible holiday options, and the opportunity to make a positive impact through volunteer work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager - Trade Planning in London
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Marks and Spencer, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Commercial Manager - Trade Planning.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager - Trade Planning in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Marks and Spencer. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Marks and Spencer and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Marks and Spencer.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Marks and Spencer
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Marks and Spencer might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
