At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy for Foods Forecasting, Ordering, and Allocation to optimise stock availability.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retailer committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving change in a fast-evolving digital era.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food retail industry while shaping the future of replenishment.
- Qualifications: Proven Product Management experience with a focus on retail and supply chain operations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Foods Forecasting, Ordering and Allocation product is central to ensuring the right products are available in the right place, at the right time and in the right quantities. Supporting demand forecasting, stock ordering and allocation across our Food network, it helps improve availability, reduce waste and optimise stockholding.
As a Senior Product Manager, you'll own the product strategy, vision, roadmap and backlog, working at the intersection of business, technology and design to solve complex problems and deliver measurable value. You'll partner closely with Engineering, Delivery, Commercial, Supply Chain and Retail teams to improve replenishment performance, forecast accuracy and operational efficiency.
Using data, customer insight and stakeholder feedback, you'll make informed decisions, balance short-term priorities with long-term product sustainability, and help shape the future of Food replenishment at M&S. You'll also collaborate across the wider Product community, influencing strategy and supporting Product Management excellence.
What you'll do
- Own the Forecasting, Ordering and Allocation product, defining and delivering the product vision, strategy, roadmap and OKRs to drive measurable business and customer value.
- Partner closely with business, technology and product stakeholders to align priorities, shape product direction, influence cross-product initiatives and deliver a seamless user experience.
- Manage and prioritise the product backlog, develop business cases and lean canvases, and apply iterative, MVP-led delivery approaches to maximise value and reduce risk.
- Define, track and communicate product success measures, using customer insight, market research, data, experimentation and competitor analysis to continuously optimise performance and inform decision-making.
- Lead successful product adoption and operational excellence by supporting DevOps ways of working, collaborating with Engineering and Delivery teams, and coaching Product Managers while championing Product Management best practice across M&S.
Who you are
- Proven experience in Product Management, with a track record of defining product strategy, shaping roadmaps and delivering successful products from discovery through to launch, optimisation and ongoing value realisation.
- Strong understanding of retail and supply chain operations, ideally gained within a Food retail, replenishment, forecasting, allocation or broader supply chain environment, combined with a customer-first mindset.
- Experience leading product delivery in Agile environments, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to deliver customer-led outcomes and drive adoption at scale.
- Commercially minded and data-driven, with strong problem-solving skills, experience using product management techniques and prioritisation frameworks, and the ability to assess product health, performance and value through key metrics and KPIs.
- Confident building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels, including Head of level and above, while coaching others, facilitating workshops and contributing positively to Product culture and ways of working.
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.
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.
Senior Product Manager – Foods Forecasting, Ordering, and Allocation 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 Senior Product Manager – Foods Forecasting, Ordering, and Allocation
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Marks & Spencer!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Marks & Spencer would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Marks & Spencer through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Manager – Foods Forecasting, Ordering, and Allocation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Senior Product Manager – Foods Forecasting, Ordering, and Allocation, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Senior Product Manager – Foods Forecasting, Ordering, and Allocation position at Marks & Spencer. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
