At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead online trading to boost sales and customer engagement across all devices.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retailer with a strong sense of purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic digital environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in online trading and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Please note this role is a 12 month FTC.
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
The Head of Online Trading is accountable for delivering best‑in‑class online commercial performance across all categories and business units. This role drives sales, conversion, and customer engagement through exceptional daily execution across all devices, data‑led decision‑making, and continuous optimisation of the end‑to‑end trading experience.
A strategic leader with strong interpersonal skills and a deeply embedded digital mindset, they inspire, coach, and develop high‑performing multi‑category trading teams. They define and implement the online trading strategy, ensuring the site consistently reflects brand values while balancing commercial targets and evolving customer needs.
The role oversees the full trading lifecycle: ensuring products launch accurately and on time; delivering commercial, marketing, and seasonal plans flawlessly; and proactively using digital insights to influence cross‑functional partners across Buying, Merchandising, Content & Imagery and Marketing.
Success is measured through robust trading outcomes: including sales, conversion, customer engagement, availability, accuracy, speed to site, execution quality, and overall customer satisfaction.
Who you are
- Proven leadership in online trading, ecommerce merchandising or digital commercial roles
- Strong grasp of ecommerce principles, journeys, behaviours and trading levers
- Highly data‑driven, with strong analytical interpretation skills
- Excellent communicator with the ability to influence across BUs and central functions
- Experienced in leading high performing, multi‑category teams in a fast‑paced environment
- Strong understanding of product onboarding, CMS and PIM processes
- Knowledge of SEO, onsite search optimisation and UX principles
- Able to balance commercial priorities with customer and digital insight
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.
Head of Online Trading - 12 month FTC employer: Marks & Spencer
Joining M&S as a Senior Technical Program Manager means becoming part of a vibrant and inclusive team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences. With competitive benefits like a generous pension scheme, extensive training programmes, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, M&S fosters a culture of growth and collaboration. Located in a dynamic environment, you'll have the opportunity to lead transformative projects while enjoying a supportive work-life balance and the chance to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Online Trading - 12 month FTC
✨Get to Know the E-commerce Scene
Dive into online communities where e-commerce enthusiasts hang out, like e-commerce Facebook groups or Reddit forums. You'll get the scoop on job openings and trends that are crucial for landing temporary roles.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for local e-commerce networking events and job fairs. These are golden opportunities to meet hiring managers in person, and you can really showcase your enthusiasm and skills face-to-face.
✨Leverage Seasonal Opportunities
With temporary roles, there's a lot of seasonal hiring in e-commerce, especially around Black Friday and Christmas. Make sure you're applying during these peak times and check if Marks & Spencer is gearing up for the holiday rush.
✨Get Your Hands Dirty on Platforms
Familiarise yourself with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce and maybe even create a little project of your own. Showing practical knowledge will impress potential employers like Marks & Spencer and demonstrate your commitment to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Online Trading - 12 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-commerce Savvy:For a role in e-commerce like Head of Online Trading - 12 month FTC at Marks & Spencer, really highlight any experience you have with online retail platforms. Have you worked with Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon? Mention these specifics in your CV to show you understand the landscape and the tools of the trade.
Data Skills are a Winner:E-commerce thrives on data. If you've got experience analysing customer behaviour or tracking sales metrics, make sure to weave that into your application. Include any relevant certifications or courses that show your skills in data analysis – this could set you apart!
Catch Their Attention in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a temporary role, your motivation is key. Use your cover letter to convey your enthusiasm for the e-commerce industry and your eagerness to contribute quickly. Let them know how you can hit the ground running – they’ll appreciate your proactiveness!
Keep it Concise and Relevant:Temporary positions often move fast, so keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the experiences that most directly relate to Head of Online Trading - 12 month FTC at Marks & Spencer. A tight, well-structured application shows you value their time and makes a good impression right off the bat!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Show Off Your E-Commerce Know-How
Don't just tell them you're familiar with e-commerce; bring concrete examples! Talk about specific platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce that you've used, or any success stories from past projects. They'll love hearing about how you've navigated challenges or optimised sales strategies.
✨Be Ready for Real-Time Problem Solving
Expect questions that put you in the hot seat regarding customer experience scenarios or inventory management. They might ask you how you would handle a sudden stock shortage or a spike in demand. Practice thinking on your feet so you can show off your problem-solving chops!
✨Demonstrate Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's all about being quick on the uptake. Highlight experiences where you've had to learn on the job or adapt to new systems quickly. They’ll want to see that you can hit the ground running without needing too much hand-holding.
✨Keep Your Digital Toolkit Sharp
Familiarise yourself with the latest e-commerce tools and trends, like SEO practices for online stores or analytics tools like Google Analytics. If you have experience with A/B testing or managing online promotions, be ready to talk about it. This kind of knowledge will set you apart from other candidates!
