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: Inclusive culture with strong career growth and a focus on well-being.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey in retail, shaping the future of food.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and supply chain systems; retail experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ 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.
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 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
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current M&S employees on LinkedIn. You never know who might give you a heads-up about an opportunity or even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching M&S's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about what we stand for. Tailor your answers to reflect how you can contribute to our mission of delivering quality and value.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. Structure your responses around Situation, Task, Action, and Result to clearly demonstrate your skills and experiences. This will help you shine during those tricky interview questions!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show us that you’re genuinely interested in the position. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for the Supply and Demand Manager role.
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! Mention any relevant experiences or insights that connect you to M&S Food and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering quality and value.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate straightforward communication. Make sure your application is well-structured and to the point. Highlight your key achievements and skills that align with the Supply and Demand Manager role without waffling on.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the role. Show us how your experience in supply chain management and team leadership makes you the perfect fit for this position.
Apply Early!: Due to high interest, this role may close sooner than expected. We recommend applying as soon as possible through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on the chance to join our ambitious team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Know Your Supply Chain Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of supply chain systems and forecasting tools, especially RELEX. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in past roles, as this will show you're aligned with the demands of the job.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams through challenges and changes. Highlight your coaching and mentoring experiences, as they want someone who can inspire and motivate others in a fast-paced environment.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex topics like inventory optimisation and supplier relationships. Tailor your communication style to different stakeholders, as this role requires influencing various teams.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Think of scenarios where you've had to act quickly to resolve issues. They’re looking for someone who can stay close to the detail and take ownership when things don’t go to plan, so be prepared to share your problem-solving strategies.