At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead labour planning and drive operational efficiency across stores.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retail leader with a strong sense of purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative team shaping the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and analytical skills in retail operations required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Lead labour planning and forecasting, ensuring the right resources are in place to deliver service, sales, and operational efficiency across stores.
- Define and embed best‑in‑class labour management frameworks, including budgeting, deployment, and long‑term capacity planning.
- Build and influence cross‑functional relationships to ensure labour plans reflect business priorities and changes across the organisation.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the store estate, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and strengthen the operating model.
- Partner with Technology and stakeholders to shape the future labour management roadmap and embed a sustainable CI culture.
Your skills and experience will include:
- A strong leader with experience managing complex retail operations and labour planning at scale.
- Commercially and analytically strong, with expertise in financial modelling, workforce planning, and performance measurement.
- Highly effective in stakeholder management, able to influence across senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.
- Deep understanding of retail operations, with the ability to translate insight into practical, scalable solutions.
- Organised, strategic, and forward‑thinking, with a passion for driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
What you will bring:
- Proven expertise in labour planning, workforce modelling, and operational performance within a retail environment.
- Strong analytical capability, including financial modelling, work measurement, and data‑driven decision making.
- Experience leading continuous improvement or transformation initiatives at scale.
- Ability to influence and align senior stakeholders across multiple business functions.
- A strategic, commercially focused mindset with a drive to improve efficiency and customer outcomes.
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.
Head of Workforce Management and Productivity employer: Marks & Spencer
At Marks & Spencer, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and forward-thinking employer, dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. As the Head of Workforce Management and Productivity, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative initiatives within a dynamic retail environment, supported by competitive benefits such as a generous colleague discount, tailored training, and comprehensive wellbeing support. Join us in shaping the future of retail while enjoying a rewarding career that values your contributions and promotes personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Workforce Management and Productivity
✨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 Head of Workforce Management and Productivity 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 Head of Workforce Management and Productivity 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 Head of Workforce Management and Productivity 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 Head of Workforce Management and Productivity role at Marks & Spencer!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Workforce Management and Productivity
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!
