At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost optimisation and transformation initiatives to achieve financial goals.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and generous pension schemes.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while driving change.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and transformation initiatives is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Description
What You'll Do
- Lead end-to-end cost optimisation, change, and transformation initiatives, ensuring delivery against agreed financial and operational objectives.
- Develop and implement structured change plans that drive adoption and embed sustainable improvements across the function.
- Manage programme governance, risks, issues, dependencies, and benefits realisation to ensure successful delivery.
- Use data, insight, customer feedback, and operational metrics to identify opportunities, prioritise activity, and measure impact.
- Build strong relationships across the business, aligning stakeholders behind delivery plans and ensuring clear communication throughout the change lifecycle.
- Who You Will Be
- A commercially minded project and change professional with experience delivering complex transformation programmes.
- A confident communicator who can translate complex challenges into clear recommendations and actionable plans.
- Highly organised and outcome-focused, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A collaborative stakeholder manager who can influence across functions and levels of seniority.
- A proactive problem solver who thrives on identifying efficiencies and delivering measurable improvements.
- What You Will Bring
- Proven experience leading cost reduction, process improvement, or transformation initiatives from concept through to implementation.
- Strong project and delivery management skills, including planning, governance, budgeting, and benefits tracking.
- Experience applying change management methodologies, including stakeholder engagement, impact assessment, and adoption planning.
- Strong analytical capability, with the ability to use data and insight to drive decision making and business performance.
- Expertise in managing risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies while delivering multiple initiatives at pace.
- Store leadership and colleague communities.
- A broad range of stakeholders supporting business transformation and operational projects.
- What’s in it for you
Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day.
We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever‑evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value and service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.
Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…
- 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third‑party brands for you and a member of your household.
- 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 our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist for you and your family.
A charity volunteer day to support a cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
- 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.
Cost Management Lead employer: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and employee growth, making it a fantastic place for those looking to thrive in the retail sector. With flexible working hours and a commitment to personal development, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their roles while contributing to a dynamic and supportive work culture. Join us in shaping a greener, more inspiring future in retail, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Management Lead
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Cost Management Lead at Marks & Spencer!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Marks & Spencer or be willing to refer you for that Cost Management Lead position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Marks & Spencer who’s on the lookout for their next Cost Management Lead star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Cost Management Lead role at Marks & Spencer!
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Management Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Marks & Spencer. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Marks & Spencer. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
