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- Tasks: Lead the strategy for managing product samples in Fashion, Home & Beauty Marketing.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader transforming the shopping experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make an impact by optimising sample processes and driving sustainability initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership, operational systems, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and positive change.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Whats in it for you
Being a part of M&S is exactly that - playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We're an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever, and however they want to shop with us. Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special:
- After completing your probationary period, you'll receive 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 access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
What you'll do
The Marketing Samples Manager leads the end-to-end strategy and operations of all physical product samples across Fashion Home & Beauty Marketing. Responsible for ensuring every sample is accurately tracked, efficiently circulated, and available to key teams, this role is central to enabling timely product launches, campaigns, and to support our social and PR growth.
- Review and transform sample process- develop and implement scalable sample management processes to support business growth.
- Partner with senior stakeholders to forecast sample volumes and prioritise key activities (seasonal launches, campaigns, PR/social media events, celebrity ambassador/influencer dressing & gifting).
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through system enhancements, automation, or workflow redesign.
- Lead on sustainability initiatives, optimising sample reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal.
- Reposition role of samples in the Marketing department as a critical enabler (lead cultural change around sample management).
- Act as the key liaison between Buying, Merchandising, Studio, PR/Social, and Marketing teams to ensure sample alignment with business calendars.
- Work closely with the product photography team to support delivery and return of samples for hybrid shoots.
- Support PR/Social team with event resource where required (in house studio shoots, content shoots, display samples, goodie bags, attendee dressing etc).
- Work closely with Marble Arch Showroom Manager to align processes and identify synergies/process improvements.
- Provide visibility of sample status and priorities through reporting and dashboards.
- Manage and mentor a team of ITG marketing executives, fostering a high-performance, accountable & collaborative culture.
- Champion operational excellence and encourage proactive problem-solving.
Who you are
- Proven experience leading a team and improving operational systems and workflows.
- Strong understanding of fashion critical path, seasonal calendars, and go-to-market processes.
- Highly proficient in Excel and/or inventory management.
- Excellent organisational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Experience managing multiple stakeholders across departments.
- Strategic thinker with strong operational acumen.
- Calm, solution-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptionally organised, with a meticulous eye for detail.
- Collaborative leader with strong interpersonal skills.
- Passionate about process improvement and product excellence.
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.
About Us
M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That's why we're revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There's never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact. We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process and we are happy to talk smart/flexible working.
About the Team
From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time. As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-driven colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial drive to join us on our journey.
Marketing Samples Manager employer: M&S
Contact Detail:
M&S Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Marketing Samples Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand M&S's values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out as someone who truly gets what they're all about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Marketing Samples Manager role. Highlight your experience with operational systems and your passion for process improvement to show you mean business.
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining the M&S team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Marketing Samples Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Marketing Samples Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing samples and working with various teams, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your organisational and analytical skills. We want to see how you've improved processes in the past, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value collaboration and a positive attitude, so don’t hesitate to share what makes you passionate about the role and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at M&S
✨Know Your Samples Inside Out
As a Marketing Samples Manager, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of the sample management process. Familiarise yourself with M&S's current practices and think about how you can improve them. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed samples in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a team, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare to share stories that illustrate how you've fostered a collaborative culture and improved operational systems. Think about challenges you've faced and how you led your team through them.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the job requires proficiency in Excel and inventory management, be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of reports or dashboards you've created that helped improve efficiency or track sample statuses.
✨Emphasise Sustainability Initiatives
M&S is keen on sustainability, so come armed with ideas on how to optimise sample reuse and recycling. Discuss any relevant projects you've been involved in that align with these values, and show your passion for making a positive impact in this area.
