At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for a high-performing distribution operation and optimise resource management.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a forward-thinking leader in retail and e-commerce.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in automated distribution centres and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
This position partners with Logistics Leadership, Ecommerce Operations, Supply Chain Planning and other Business Units to enable proactive planning, seamless execution, and consistently excellent service. As the site's key labour-planning budget holder, the role balances cost, capability and demand, continuously identifying smarter, more efficient ways of working in a fast-paced, variable operation.
As part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Lead Planning Manager role-models M&S behaviours, fosters a culture where colleagues thrive, and ensures the customer remains the focus of every decision and action. This is a pivotal opportunity for a forward-thinking leader to bring clarity, influence and momentum to a high-performing distribution operation.
We're looking for an influential leader with experience in automated distribution centres and a strong grasp of warehouse control systems. Someone who thrives in fast-paced retail and e-commerce environments, builds trusted relationships, and works effectively with partners at every level. A leader who inspires confidence, empowers teams, and brings people together to deliver great results. If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!
What you'll do
- Lead end-to-end site planning, ensuring optimal occupancy, product flow and weekly/monthly/yearly operational activity through data-driven forecasting, cross-functional collaboration and effective performance review.
- Own all labour and resource planning, delivering productivity and cost targets - including stewardship of a £50m variable labour budget, 3rd-party agency management and strategic staffing decisions that support sustainable growth.
- Present, align and secure approval for operational and resource plans with senior key partners, then adjust and refine plans based on real-time performance, volumes and customer demand to drive continuous improvement.
- Drive operational excellence, including release strategy execution, preventative maintenance scheduling, system and process governance, risk identification, and initiatives that maximise online stock availability and customer proposition.
- Provide strong leadership across the Planning function, building capability, leading change initiatives, nurturing talent, and contributing to the broader Senior Leadership Team to deliver site vision, strategy and exceptional customer outcomes.
Who you are
- Strong leadership experience in automated distribution centres, with solid understanding of warehouse control systems and fast-paced retail/e-commerce operations.
- Skilled relationship-builder, able to influence, challenge constructively, and work effectively with partners at all levels to protect customer outcomes.
- Clear, confident communicator with the presence to inspire trust, drive alignment, and present information in a structured, persuasive way.
- People-focused leader who empowers teams through effective delegation, coaching, constructive feedback and a collaborative, team-first approach.
- Resilient, customer-focused decision-maker able to balance operational and technical needs, manage expectations, and maintain performance under pressure.
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 reinventing, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re redefining 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.
Lead Planning Manager - Distribution employer: M&S
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of inclusivity and innovation, making it an ideal place for the Lead Planning Manager role. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits such as a 20% discount on products, and a commitment to work-life balance through generous holiday allowances and wellbeing support, M&S empowers its leaders to drive operational excellence while fostering a collaborative environment. Join us in shaping the future of retail, where your contributions will be valued and recognised in a dynamic and supportive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Planning Manager - Distribution
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could make your application stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and operational excellence. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it helps you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for the role! When you get the chance to speak with hiring managers, share your vision for how you can contribute to M&S's goals. Be specific about how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities there, tailored just for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Planning Manager - Distribution
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in automated distribution centres and warehouse control systems. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:As a Lead Planning Manager, your leadership approach is key. Use your application to demonstrate how you empower teams and build relationships. Share examples of how you've inspired confidence and driven alignment in past roles.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves data-driven forecasting and performance review, include specific metrics or outcomes from your previous experiences. We love seeing how you’ve used data to make decisions and improve operations!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at M&S
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Lead Planning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your grasp of data-driven decision-making. Brush up on key metrics related to labour planning and operational efficiency. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to optimise performance and drive cost savings.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to inspire and empower teams. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully led change initiatives or nurtured talent within your team.
✨Build Relationships
Since the job involves working with various stakeholders, be prepared to talk about how you build and maintain relationships. Share examples of how you've influenced partners at different levels and navigated challenges to protect customer outcomes.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and persuasively. You might want to prepare a brief presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your ability to present information in a structured way during the interview.
