At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead new store launches and drive operational excellence across multiple locations.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retailer committed to quality and service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a focus on personal development and community support.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team transforming retail for a better future.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in large-scale operations and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of all new store launches, renewals, closures, and store environment schemes, ensuring strong performance from pre‑opening through post‑launch reviews.
- Drive operational excellence by developing and embedding best‑in‑class processes, minimising disruption, and maximising recapture across trading stores.
- Lead, coach, and prioritise a field‑based team, ensuring clear phasing plans, high standards, and alignment with commercial and operational goals.
- Partner extensively across Retail, Property, Trading, and Finance to influence delivery, shape propositions, and ensure all initiatives are fit for purpose in-store.
- Define and implement the Competition Defence Strategy, embedding governance, reporting, and a targeted, insight‑led approach to protect customer value and sales.
Who You Will Be
- A proven senior leader with experience delivering large‑scale store programmes, transformation, or multi‑site operations.
- Highly effective at stakeholder management, with the ability to influence across Retail, Property, and cross‑functional leadership teams.
- Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of store operations and the ability to balance customer experience with financial performance.
- A resilient and adaptable leader, able to manage remote teams and navigate complexity, ambiguity, and change.
- An impactful communicator who can create clarity, drive accountability, and lead teams to deliver at pace.
What’s in it for you?
- 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.
Head of Store Launch & Competitive Strategy employer: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters growth and innovation. With a strong focus on employee well-being, competitive benefits, and a commitment to diversity, M&S empowers its team members to thrive while delivering quality service to millions of customers. Join us in shaping the future of retail, where your contributions will be valued and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Store Launch & Competitive Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, especially those in similar roles. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s recent store launches and competitive strategies. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. We want to hear about your past experiences and how they’ve shaped you into the leader you are today.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in our minds and show us you’re genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Store Launch & Competitive Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in store launches and competitive strategy. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead and coach teams effectively. Share specific examples of how you’ve managed remote teams or navigated complex situations in the past. We love to see impactful stories!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Know Your Store Launch Strategies
Make sure you understand the end-to-end process of store launches, renewals, and closures. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully led similar projects, highlighting how you ensured operational excellence and minimal disruption.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Prepare to showcase your skills in influencing and managing stakeholders across various departments. Think of instances where you effectively collaborated with teams like Retail, Property, and Finance to achieve common goals, and be ready to explain your approach to building those relationships.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your understanding of store operations and how they impact customer experience and financial performance. Be prepared to discuss how you've balanced these elements in previous roles, and think about how you can apply that knowledge to the role at M&S.
✨Communicate with Impact
As an impactful communicator, you’ll need to convey clarity and drive accountability. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex topics. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and deliver results under pressure.
