At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead space optimisation in stores, turning insights into action for Fashion, Home, and Beauty.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader transforming the shopping experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving innovation in retail.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on store performance and customer experience in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Strong relationship-building skills and expertise in space planning and merchandising.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are looking for a commercially focused, analytically and visually strong individual who can turn insight into action and deliver space optimisation in stores. As a Store Space Performance Planner, you play a central part in shaping how our stores bring the Fashion, Home and Beauty space and transformation strategy to life. Operating across multiple regions within a division, you will lead the application, allocation and optimisation of space through regular store visits, robust grading decisions and macro space changes.
What’s in it for you
- 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household after completing your probationary period.
- 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 access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist.
- A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you’re passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
What you’ll do
- Drive FHB Space & Grading Across the Division: Oversee all aspects of Fashion, Home and Beauty space and grading within your division, ensuring space is used efficiently, aligns with business strategy and meets customer needs to maximise sales, productivity and ROI.
- Drive commercial Space Optimisation across the Estate: Lead reviews of every store throughout the year using a Red/Amber/Green methodology to assess complexity, identify opportunities, and drive BU space optimisation.
- Analyse store space performance to identify opportunities for macro BU change, using data to build clear, commercially grounded recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Produce PIRs to ensure learnings and insights are embedded into future store proposals.
- Develop & Present Store Block Plans: Create proposed macro space block plans to illustrate space changes, model the commercial benefits, and compile compelling summaries.
- Chair divisional store space surgeries involving Regional managers, Field VM and Space management.
- Ensure commercial, operational and Space priorities are aligned, and that Space macro decision making remains strategic and future-focused.
- Translate Strategy Into Practical Application: With the Store Performance Manager and BU Space Planning teams translate strategy, grading frameworks and space planning principles into actionable plans for each store.
- Use space performance data, modelling tools, and productivity levers to support decision-making and present commercially grounded recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Act as Regional Space Partner and voice of stores: Serve as the primary point of contact for Regional Managers on all FHB space related topics.
- Build trusted relationships with Regional Managers and Store Directors, securing alignment and buy-in to deliver space optimisation with momentum.
- Lead regular visits to stores with senior stakeholders to understand and provide expert guidance on operational realities, customer behaviour and the practicalities of delivering macro moves at scale.
- Support stores in adopting the M&S Way for Space and upskill new Store Managers and Regional Managers in the FHB Space and Transformation strategies.
Who you are
- Strong ability to initiate, build, and sustain relationships, influencing effectively at all levels across the Support Centre and Stores.
- Expert understanding of the Space Planning and Merchandising critical path, process flows, competencies, and related activities, including relevant and essential systems.
- Understanding of the entire store retailing environment, particularly in relation to product delivery, space execution, and operational processes.
- Knowledge of business IT systems and the space planning interdependencies.
- All relevant FH&B, Space & Retail reporting, and merch systems, specifically: Blue Yonder floor planning, RP, MP, GMOR, PowerBI.
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 let us know when completing your application. We will put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Store Space Optimization Lead employer: Marks & Spencer Group PLC
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where every team member plays a vital role in delivering quality and value to our customers. With competitive benefits such as a generous discount on products, flexible holiday options, and comprehensive wellbeing support, we prioritise the growth and development of our employees through tailored training programmes and a commitment to work-life balance. Join us in shaping the future of retail while enjoying unique perks and a supportive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Space Optimization Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research M&S's values, recent projects, and their approach to space optimisation. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role in space optimisation at M&S. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to space planning and merchandising. Think about how you can demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to turn insights into action. We want to see your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the M&S family and ready to contribute to our exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Store Space Optimization Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Analytical Skills:Make sure to highlight your analytical abilities in your application. We want to see how you can turn data into actionable insights, especially when it comes to space optimisation. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate this.
Be Visual and Clear:Since the role involves a lot of visual planning, don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to present ideas clearly. Whether it's through diagrams or concise summaries, we love seeing how you can communicate complex concepts simply.
Tailor Your Application:Take the time to tailor your application to the job description. Mention specific aspects of the role that excite you and how your skills align with our needs. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Group PLC
✨Know Your Space
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding space optimisation in retail. Familiarise yourself with M&S's approach to Fashion, Home, and Beauty space management. Be ready to discuss how you can apply your knowledge of space planning tools like Blue Yonder and PowerBI to enhance store performance.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical prowess by discussing past experiences where you've used data to drive decisions. Bring examples of how you've identified opportunities for space optimisation and how those insights led to tangible results. This will show that you can turn insight into action.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, think about how you can illustrate your relationship-building skills. Share examples of how you've influenced others at different levels in previous roles, especially in a retail environment. Highlight your ability to align priorities and secure buy-in from key players.
✨Be Ready to Present
Expect to present your ideas during the interview. Prepare a mock store block plan or a space optimisation proposal that showcases your strategic thinking. This will not only demonstrate your understanding of the role but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.
