Network Planning Consultant - Milton Keynes in Castlethorpe

Location: Volkswagen Group UK - Milton Keynes

Department: Group Network Development

Vacancy Type: Permanent - Full time

Group Network Development are recruiting for a Network Planning Consultant on a permanent, full-time basis. Reporting into the Strategic Planning Manager, you'll play a key role in shaping and managing Volkswagen Group UK's retail network, balancing future network needs with the commercial demands of a rapidly changing market. You'll also help develop thinking on future routes to market and innovative retail formats that respond to evolving customer needs.

You'll design, develop and manage network planning activities across our brands, using data-driven insight and sound commercial judgement to assess the implications of recommendations for both Volkswagen Group UK and our dealer network. The role includes responding to rapid changes in the market often requiring timely analysis, practical options and clear recommendations as well as supporting longer-term network strategy.

What you could be doing:

• Developing network strategies that support the sustainable growth and commercial success of our brands and dealer partners across the UK.
• Exploring future routes to market, retail formats and customer propositions that respond to evolving customer needs while delivering sustainable commercial outcomes for Volkswagen Group UK and its dealer partners.
• Using data, forecasting and geospatial analysis to identify emerging opportunities, risks and changing patterns of customer demand.
• Assessing the commercial, operational and customer impacts of proposed network changes for both Volkswagen Group UK and the dealer network.
• Responding to a rapidly changing market by quickly evaluating commercial implications, developing practical options and providing clear, evidence-based recommendations to support timely decisions.
• Creating compelling business cases that balance strategic objectives with financial viability, dealer sustainability and practical implementation.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders across multiple brands and departments and with dealer partners where appropriate to solve complex business challenges.
• Producing analysis, reporting and visual insights to support both immediate operational decisions and longer-term network planning.
• Supporting business transformation projects and helping shape future ways of working across the network development function.

Skills & Experience you can bring to the role:

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and translate findings into clear, commercially grounded recommendations.
• Commercial acumen and the ability to understand the financial and operational implications of recommendations for Volkswagen Group UK and dealer partners.
• Experience using data analysis and reporting tools, including advanced Excel and SQL-based querying or reporting.
• Knowledge of forecasting, modelling, location planning, network planning or geospatial analysis methodologies.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with confidence presenting recommendations, explaining trade-offs and constructively challenging assumptions at senior levels.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to work at pace, respond to changing circumstances and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Sound judgement when working with incomplete or evolving information, and the ability to turn analysis into practical next steps.
• A forward-thinking and curious mindset, with the confidence to explore new ideas, challenge established approaches and help shape future customer-focused routes to market and retail formats.
• Adaptable and collaborative, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.

What can we offer you?

Along with a competitive salary, car schemes (including cars for family members), discretionary bonus, enhanced pension contributions, private healthcare, fuel card, 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, 4 x life insurance & health & wellbeing support, we also offer a wide range of flexible benefits to suit you and your lifestyle.

Volkswagen Group UK - We're driven by difference. With six big brands under one roof each with its own history, designs and innovations we've created some of the world's most iconic vehicles, from luxury sports cars to family camper vans. Here, you'll discover opportunities, explore ideas and tackle challenges that you won't find anywhere else.

It takes a range of teams to make the Group successful. We all share the same aim: to deliver sustainable mobility for generations to come, while keeping the customer and their changing demands at the heart of everything we do. There's never been a more exciting time to join our industry as it undergoes the biggest transformation for over 100 years. With digitalisation, electrification and driverless mobility all coming to the market, we're actively looking for people with new skills, knowledge, and outlooks. A brave new world demands brave, new, diverse people; so whatever your background, we would love to hear from you. We know that different perspectives and thought processes are vital as our industry goes through an exciting period of change.