At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and ensure smooth store operations.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving innovation in retail.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in store operations and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
What you will do:
- Leads delivery across strategic and BAU initiatives within Store Operations.
- Maintains governance, structure and momentum across activity.
- Connects plans, dependencies and risks across Store Support and wider CSO.
- Translates complex activity into clear, actionable plans.
- Keeps a strong store-first lens across decision making and delivery.
- Responds flexibly to changing store and business priorities.
Who you will be:
- Builds strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders and influences effectively to drive alignment, progress and outcomes.
- Brings clarity and structure in ambiguity, helping shape direction and define clear next steps as priorities emerge.
- Communicates clearly and confidently, turning complex information into simple, practical messages that others can easily understand and act on.
- Demonstrates strong organisation across multiple priorities, maintaining pace and focus while keeping delivery coordinated and on track.
- Applies sound commercial awareness, understanding the wider business context and balancing operational practicality with business impact.
- Uses strong problem-solving skills to identify issues early, assess options and work through practical, thoughtful solutions.
- Works with adaptability and pace, responding positively to changing priorities while maintaining quality and momentum.
- Maintains strong attention to detail, ensuring work is accurate, well considered and consistently high quality.
What you will bring:
- Strong store operations experience, with a solid understanding of how activity lands operationally in store environments.
- Deep understanding of customer needs and store operations, and how to balance customer impact with operational delivery.
- Experience of operating effectively and cutting through ambiguity to bring clarity, pace and direction.
- Strong communication and influencing skills across a range of stakeholders.
- Capability in translating insights, observations and priorities into clear, specific actions.
- Demonstrates experience of supporting change effectively, helping teams navigate new ways of working and land activity successfully.
What’s in it for you:
- 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.
Project Manager - Store Operations (12 Months Maternity Cover) 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 Project Manager - Store Operations (12 Months Maternity Cover)
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Marks & Spencer. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Marks & Spencer.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Marks & Spencer.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Store Operations (12 Months Maternity Cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Marks & Spencer and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Marks & Spencer will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Marks & Spencer.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Marks & Spencer.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Marks & Spencer. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
