Program Manager in Slough

Program Manager in Slough

Slough Temporary 70000 - 85000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformative programmes in food retail, focusing on space range and display.
  • Company: Join a dynamic retail transformation team at a leading company.
  • Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on delivering results and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while driving retail innovation.
  • Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong knowledge of retail operations required.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.

Program Manager – Space Range & Display (SRD)

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager with strong Food Retail and Space Range & Display (SRD) experience to join an established retail transformation programme.

This role requires hands-on experience across range, display, and planogram processes, with the ability to operate in a fast-paced retail environment and bring structure, clarity, and strong delivery focus.

Key Responsibilities

  • Led end-to-end delivery of Space Range & Display (SRD) transformation programmes supporting large-scale retail migration initiatives across food retail operations.
  • Directed cross-functional programme teams to deliver business-critical range, space planning, and display transformation activities within agreed timelines and budgets.
  • Oversaw migration of SRD capabilities, ensuring minimal disruption to retail operations and alignment with strategic business objectives.
  • Governed planogram generation activities, ensuring accurate execution of merchandising standards, store layouts, and range optimisation across multiple retail formats.
  • Worked closely with merchandising, category management, supply chain, store operations, and technology teams to coordinate programme delivery.
  • Managed implementation and optimisation of Blue Yonder Space & Category Management solutions, supporting business adoption and operational readiness.
  • Established programme governance frameworks, delivery plans, RAID logs, dependency tracking, and executive reporting for complex transformation initiatives.
  • Managed programme critical paths, interdependencies, resource planning, milestones, and delivery risks across multiple workstreams.
  • Coordinated third-party suppliers, implementation partners, and internal delivery teams to ensure successful programme execution.
  • Translated complex business requirements into programme roadmaps, delivery plans, and actionable work packages for technical and business teams.
  • Facilitated steering committee meetings, executive governance forums, and programme status reviews, providing clear reporting on progress, risks, issues, and mitigation strategies.
  • Drove stakeholder engagement across senior leadership, business SMEs, technology teams, and external vendors to ensure alignment throughout programme delivery.
  • Led change management activities including business readiness, communications, user engagement, training coordination, and post-implementation support.
  • Created clarity in fast-paced and ambiguous environments by defining priorities, resolving delivery blockers, and driving informed decision-making.
  • Ensured programme deliverables aligned with retail operational goals, governance standards, and business transformation objectives.
  • Monitored programme performance using KPIs, milestone tracking, benefits realisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Supported business process optimisation across range planning, space management, merchandising, and store execution activities.
  • Maintained programme documentation including delivery plans, governance artefacts, risk registers, dependency logs, decision logs, and executive dashboards.
  • Ensured compliance with organisational governance, quality standards, and change control processes throughout programme delivery.

Program Manager in Slough employer: Queen Square Recruitment

As an Operational Acceptance Test (OAT) Lead, you will join a dynamic and innovative team within a global technology and consulting organisation that prioritises employee growth and development. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and encourages you to take ownership of your projects, while our commitment to large-scale transformation programmes ensures that your contributions have a meaningful impact on critical national infrastructure services. With access to modern cloud technologies and a focus on service transition practices, this role offers unique opportunities for professional advancement in a complex enterprise environment.

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Contact Details:

Queen Square Recruitment Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Program Manager in Slough

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 Queen Square Recruitment. 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 Queen Square Recruitment.

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 Queen Square Recruitment.

We think you need these skills to ace Program Manager in Slough

Program Management
Food Retail Experience
Space Range & Display (SRD) Expertise
Planogram Processes
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Project Delivery Focus
Blue Yonder Space & Category Management Solutions

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 Queen Square Recruitment 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 Queen Square Recruitment

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 Queen Square Recruitment 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 Queen Square Recruitment.

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 Queen Square Recruitment.

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 Queen Square Recruitment. 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.