At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse and forecast resource needs to enhance customer and colleague experiences in retail.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Fixed-term secondment role with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience while driving transformation in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience with retail operations and planning tools.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Resource & Scheduling Analyst
This is an exciting 12–18 month secondment opportunity, offering the chance to gain valuable experience and contribute to key business priorities.
Join our Central Store Operations team as a Resource & Scheduling Analyst, where you'll play a key role in ensuring our stores have the right resources in place to deliver an outstanding customer and colleague experience.
Working closely with store and central teams, you'll use forecasting, scheduling, planning tools, and data-driven insights to develop accurate resource plans, support business transformation initiatives, and drive continuous improvement across the retail operation.
- What you’ll be doing
- Develop, maintain, and deliver accurate store resource plans, forecasts, and scheduling demand curves, ensuring plans reflect customer trends, business activity, and operational changes.
- Support the configuration and ongoing optimisation of the My Schedule system, ensuring resource models remain aligned to business processes, policies, and store requirements.
- Provide insight and recommendations on resource deployment to help stores balance customer service, colleague experience, sales performance, and operational efficiency.
- Produce and enhance planning‑related reporting and management information (MI) to support effective decision‑making and drive continuous improvement.
- Build strong relationships with store and central stakeholders, supporting the implementation of resourcing processes, change programmes, and transformation initiatives.
About you
- Strong understanding of retail operations, including store processes, working practices, and retail systems.
- Highly analytical with excellent numerical skills and the ability to interpret data to make informed recommendations.
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with planning, forecasting, and scheduling tools.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across multiple teams.
- Forward‑thinking, proactive, and committed to personal development and continuous improvement.
Desirable experience
- Experience working with resource planning and workforce management systems such as Logile and Blue Yonder.
MOST qualification in time and motion studies.
- Experience supporting operational change, business transformation, or workforce planning projects.
- Knowledge of forecasting methodologies and demand planning principles.
- Experience developing reporting, dashboards, and operational insights to support business decision‑making.
- You’ll work closely with
- Central Store Operations teams.
- Store Operations teams.
- Food and Clothing & Home trading and operating model teams.
- Store leadership and colleague communities.
- A broad range of stakeholders supporting business transformation and operational projects.
- What’s in it for you
Benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special.
- 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third‑party brands for you and a member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
- Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry‑leading parental, adoption, and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues, including our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist for you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a cause you’re passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
Please note: This is a fixed‑term secondment opportunity for 12–18 months.
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Demand & Forecast Analyst - Secondment Role in London employer: Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly within the Corporate HR technology team. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and development, alongside competitive remuneration and benefits. Working in a dynamic location, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects that enhance the colleague experience throughout their journey with the company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand & Forecast Analyst - Secondment Role in London
✨Tap into Temp Agency Networks
If you're eyeing a temporary role in supply chain operations, temp agencies can be your best pals. They often have exclusive contracts with companies like Marks and Spencer that might not be posted publicly. Get registered with a few reputable agencies and stay in touch—they might just have the perfect gig for you!
✨Make Your Skills Shine
In the world of supply chain operations, showcasing your relevant skills can set you apart in a heartbeat. Try to highlight your experience with logistics software or inventory management techniques when chatting with potential employers. Offer specific examples of how you’ve streamlined operations in the past; it’s all about making that connection!
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Getting out there in the community isn’t just for full-time roles! Attend local supply chain meetups and networking events, as they can lead to temporary job opportunities. Plus, you never know—someone in the room could know about an immediate opening at Marks and Spencer or have tips on where to look.
✨Be Agile and Available
For temporary positions, having flexibility can make you much more desirable to employers. Keep your schedule open and be ready to jump into assignments at short notice. If you can show that you’re adaptable, companies like Marks and Spencer will notice and might keep you in mind for future temporary opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Demand & Forecast Analyst - Secondment Role in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Supply Chain Knowledge:Make sure you showcase any relevant coursework or experience in supply chain management in your CV. If you've worked with inventory management systems, logistics planning, or demand forecasting, include specific examples to demonstrate your skills—this is key in supply chain operations!
Certifications Can Make a Difference:If you've got any certifications related to supply chain operations, like APICS or Six Sigma, splash them in your CV! They can really help you stand out. Temporary roles often look for candidates who can hit the ground running, so proving you’ve got that extra knowledge is a big plus.
Emphasise Flexibility in Your Application:Since this is a temporary role, it's super important to highlight your flexibility and readiness to adapt to new environments. In your cover letter, mention your ability to learn quickly and your willingness to take on diverse tasks—this shows that you're the right fit for a dynamic supply chain environment.
Make Your CV Concise and Relevant:Keep your CV tight and relevant, focusing on the most important past experiences that relate directly to supply chain operations. Avoid filler and concentrate on the skills and experiences that will impress Marks and Spencer and relate to the temporary nature of the role. Let's get you that interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Supply Chain Tools
Brush up on the specific tools and software commonly used in supply chain operations, like SAP or Oracle. Make sure to highlight your familiarity with these during the interview at Marks and Spencer, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
In a temporary role, they’ll want to see how quickly you can adapt and solve problems. Prepare for scenario-based questions that may ask how you’d handle disruptions like delays or inventory shortages. Think of real examples from your past experiences to share!
✨Flexibility is Key
As this is a temporary position, emphasise your willingness to be flexible. Talk about how you’ve quickly adapted to changes in previous roles or how you’re able to step in and learn new processes swiftly, especially those unique to Marks and Spencer.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
Temporary roles often require quick integration into teams. Be ready to discuss your communication style and how you work collaboratively. You might face questions about working with cross-functional teams, so think about how you can highlight your teamwork skills.
