At a Glance
- Tasks: Use data to optimise stock availability and improve inventory performance across Fashion, Home & Beauty.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer innovating in supply chain and logistics.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal growth and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on stock management while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in inventory planning or supply chain processes.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Our Supply Chain & Logistics colleagues are essential to delivering our huge range of Fashion, Home & Beauty products to our customers. We're innovating, using technology to push boundaries, and delivering an innovative logistics function. Join us on this remarkable journey as we shape the future of M&S!
Do you love using data to shape stock availability and inventory performance across every channel? Then we have the ideal role for you! As an Inventory Analytical Planner, you'll focus on balancing stock availability and sales across Fashion, Home & Beauty with operating cost across Supply Chain & Logistics and Retail Operations, using data, insight and supply chain planning principles to ensure stock is systemically distributed to the right channel, location and quantities. This will help minimise trapped stock, maximise demand weighted availability, improve inventory turns and support efficient stock flow across all channels.
We are looking for someone with a strong understanding of inventory and supply chain planning within a retail environment, or a similar fast-paced, product-led business, who can use data, insight and strong commercial awareness to support better stock decisions and improve inventory performance. NB: This role is based at our support centre in Paddington. As part of the application process, you will be required to upload a copy of your CV and, if selected for interview, you will be required to complete an online assessment.
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Manage stock placement across Fashion, Home & Beauty to meet customer demand and maximise demand weighted availability across stores and ecommerce.
- Deliver product segmentation analysis, monitoring and authorising movement between segments to support the right stock holding at size-location level.
- Validate VM and Presentation settings, review top-down and bottom-up stock projections, and recommend actions to close gaps.
- Complete analysis and modelling to inform replenishment optimisation, including pick frequency, best-fit replenishment strategy and delivery schedule changes.
- Generate reporting and insight to improve stock health, EDC occupancy, inventory turns, plan accuracy and DC utilisation.
- Support promotional, peak and new launch stock builds through timely and accurate allocations, while responding to trade and adjusting inventory parameters where needed.
Your skills and experience will include:
- Strong understanding of inventory planning, supply chain planning, replenishment principles and end-to-end supply chain processes, with the ability to balance stock availability, service, inventory investment and operating cost.
- Proven analytical capability, using data and insight to identify opportunities, solve complex problems and translate analysis into clear, actionable recommendations that improve stock flow, availability and inventory productivity.
- Experience working with planning and replenishment systems, including JDA or Blue Yonder, alongside advanced Excel skills to manipulate, model and interpret large data sets.
- Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge, influence and build effective relationships across Supply Chain, Logistics, Retail and Commercial teams.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a proactive continuous improvement mindset, able to manage multiple priorities accurately in a fast-paced environment.
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.
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.
Inventory Analytical Planner 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 Inventory Analytical Planner 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 Inventory Analytical Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Inventory Analytical Planner 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!
