Assistant Trading Manager

Assistant Trading Manager

Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive online trading strategies and optimise performance for M&S categories.
  • Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer focused on quality and service.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving change in retail.
  • Qualifications: Experience in onsite trading and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

What's in it for you? 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

What you'll do: This role will focus on driving the online trading strategy for your Categories across our UK & ROI markets, identifying key levers for growth and working closely with Category Managers to drive optimisation and performance. You will line manage 1 or 2 assistants, fostering a culture of innovation, ownership, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will bring onsite merchandising experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to influence and align teams around the onsite trading strategy. This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable challenging the status‑quo and is passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences through data‑driven trading decisions.

  • Own and drive your BU’s trading strategies with your Category Manager, including POAP, aligning with D&T, Content and Optimisation.
  • Identify opportunities for testing and optimisation improvements and lead initiatives to drive change across onsite trading.
  • Own front-end & back-end tools and capabilities to drive optimisations.
  • Work with Optimisation to drive change aligned to online strategy, collaborate to create a testing plan and challenge stakeholders to maximise commercial impact for specific areas.
  • Accountable for the onsite execution of the trade calendar for your BU’s.
  • Champion innovation and continuous improvement across the team, empowering others to take ownership to drive meaningful impact.
  • Line manage 1 or 2 assistants. Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and support career development.
  • Oversee workload and guide Assistant Managers in supporting strategic projects.

Who you are: Comfortable challenging the status quo and driving change. Expert in onsite trading. Strong delegation, prioritisation and coaching skills. Proven ability to build and maintain a high‑performing, collaborative team culture. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Commercially astute with a data‑driven approach to decision‑making.

Everybody'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.

Assistant Trading Manager employer: Marks & Spencer Plc

Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and continuous improvement. With a strong focus on employee development, you will benefit from tailored training, competitive perks, and a supportive work environment that encourages collaboration and personal growth. Join us in driving meaningful change in the retail industry while enjoying a range of benefits designed to enhance your well-being and work-life balance.

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Contact Details:

Marks & Spencer Plc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Trading Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you show that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect candidate for the Assistant Trading Manager role. Highlight your experience in onsite trading and your data-driven approach to decision-making.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the M&S family.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Trading Manager

Onsite Merchandising Experience
Analytical Skills
Influencing Skills
Team Alignment
Data-Driven Decision Making
Testing and Optimisation
Change Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assistant Trading Manager role. Highlight your onsite merchandising experience and analytical skills, as these are key for us. Show how your past experiences align with our values and the job description.

Show Your Passion:We love candidates who are passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences. In your application, share examples of how you've challenged the status quo in previous roles and driven change. This will help us see your enthusiasm for the position!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and achievements.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position and our company culture there.

How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc

Know Your Numbers

As an Assistant Trading Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics related to online trading and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in the past. This shows you’re not just about ideas but can back them up with solid evidence.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Since you'll be managing assistants, it's crucial to convey your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've fostered a culture of innovation and ownership in previous roles. Highlight your coaching skills and how you’ve supported team members in their development.

Challenge the Status Quo

Marks & Spencer values candidates who are comfortable challenging existing processes. Think of instances where you've successfully implemented change or optimised strategies. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that mindset to their team and drive meaningful impact.

Engage with Stakeholders

Strong communication and stakeholder management are key for this role. Prepare to discuss how you've collaborated with different teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve influenced others and aligned teams around a common goal, especially in trading strategies.