At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to optimise product availability and minimise waste in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in the food industry, committed to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with strong career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey in retail, making a real impact on customers' lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and supply chain systems; retail experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ 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.
We are recruiting for two Supply and Demand Managers: one in Ambient and the other in Chilled. Categories will be confirmed on or after offer.
As a Supply and Demand Manager, you will be right at the heart of a supply chain undergoing significant transformation. You will lead a large team, set the pace and build an environment where people feel supported, challenged and motivated to deliver at their best. You will work closely with senior leadership, bringing clarity to performance, making confident decisions and keeping things moving in a fast, demanding environment. This is a role where you stay close to the detail, act quickly when issues arise and take real ownership when things do not go to plan. You will balance availability, waste and service in a complex, fast‑moving environment, working across multiple categories and suppliers. Alongside this, you will drive planning with suppliers, commercial teams and retail to support launches, promotions and range changes. With RELEX, our market‑leading forecasting system built around M&S, you will help shape a more responsive, data‑led supply chain that supports our growth ambitions.
This role requires you to be on site in our Support Office in Paddington, London for three days a week. We know that will not suit everyone, and that is okay. If you are looking for a fully remote role, this will not be for you. But if you believe in the power of working together in person to solve problems, share ideas, and shape the future of food, we would love to hear from you.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What you’ll do
- Lead and inspire a team of planners to deliver exceptional product availability, while minimising waste and optimising inventory levels, embedding consistent ways of working and high performance.
- Drive collaborative planning with commercial, food technical and product development teams to support new launches, seasonal shifts and promotional activity.
- Translate data into action, influencing ranging, facings and distribution decisions to improve trade and reduce waste across stores.
- Own long‑range forecasting and supplier performance, using RELEX and Excel to anticipate demand and ensure delivery in full.
- Build strong supplier relationships and respond quickly to change, helping shape major transformations and keep products on shelf for our customers.
Who you are
- A confident and inclusive leader with experience managing teams, able to coach, mentor and guide others through challenge, change and growth.
- A clear and persuasive communicator who adapts their style to different stakeholders, using insight and data to influence decisions and drive action.
- Structured and organised, with a methodical approach to planning, prioritisation and execution in a fast‑paced environment, working with multiple teams and partners.
- Technically capable, with a working knowledge of supply chain systems, forecasting tools and Excel; experience with RELEX or similar platforms is a plus.
- Commercially curious and future‑focused, able to align supply chain activity with long‑term business goals and deliver performance through people; retail experience is helpful but not essential.
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.
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.
Supply and Demand Manager employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
Contact Detail:
Marks & Spencer Plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply and Demand Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research M&S Food, their values, and recent innovations. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their transformation journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to supply chain management. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to drive performance in a fast-paced environment.
✨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 serious about joining the M&S team and ready to contribute to their exciting future.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply and Demand Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! We want to see how you connect with our mission at M&S Food and how you can contribute to our transformation. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for the industry.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, especially those related to supply chain management and team leadership. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment!
Highlight Your Data Skills: Since this role involves using forecasting tools like RELEX and Excel, make sure to mention your technical capabilities. Give examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We love candidates who can turn numbers into actionable insights!
Apply Early!: Due to high interest in this role, it’s best to get your application in as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute! Head over to our website and submit your application today to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Know Your Supply Chain Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding supply chain dynamics, especially in the food sector. Familiarise yourself with M&S's approach to sourcing and innovation, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their transformation efforts.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams through change. Think about times when you've motivated others or navigated challenges, and be ready to share these stories to demonstrate your ability to inspire and support a team.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using RELEX and Excel for forecasting, brush up on your data analysis skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in the past, and think of specific metrics or outcomes that showcase your impact.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex topics like inventory management or supplier relationships. Tailor your communication style to different stakeholders, as this will be crucial in a collaborative environment like M&S.