Channels Commercial Planner

Marks & Spencer Plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading British retailer is seeking a Channels Commercial Planner to shape the future of its food franchise. You will coordinate major commercial workstreams, drive range strategy, and simplify processes for improved customer outcomes. The ideal candidate will have strong programme management skills, be commercially savvy and thrive in collaboration with various business areas. This dynamic role offers numerous benefits, including a colleague discount, competitive holiday allowance, and 24/7 wellbeing support.

Benefits

20% colleague discount for you + 1 household member

Competitive holiday allowance + option to buy more

Discretionary bonus schemes linked to performance

Strong pension + life assurance

Tailored induction + training from day one

Perks and savings via M&S Choices portal

Market-leading family policies

24/7 wellbeing support

1 paid volunteer day a year

Qualifications

• Ability to handle complex programmes and timelines effectively.
• Skilled at building relationships and influencing across multiple teams and functions.
• Comfortable working with large datasets to inform decisions and strategies.
• Understanding of profit and loss management and commercial drivers.
• Shown experience working across different business areas to deliver aligned outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Franchise Commercial Managers to implement new ways of working.
• Collaborate to deliver a Minimum Credible Range (MCR) and develop strategies.
• Lead initiatives to simplify the New Product Development (NPD) process.
• Support modernisation of core systems and ensure smooth adoption.
• Coordinate with key partners to maintain alignment and deliver objectives.

Skills

Programme and Critical Path Management

Strong Partner Management

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Commercial Foresight

Cross-functional Collaboration

Job description

We’re reshaping our Food business to broaden its appeal, protecting the magic our customers love while modernising everything else. That means outstanding quality, high sourcing standards, and market-leading innovation remain at our core, while we transform our supply chains, improve our stores, and deliver better value.

We’re looking for motivated people ready to bring their whole self to work and thrive in a fast-paced, ambitious team. After all, this isn’t just food… this is M&S Food.

Join us as a Channels Commercial Planner and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our food franchise business. In this dynamic role, you’ll coordinate major commercial workstreams, drive range strategy, and simplify processes to deliver outstanding results for our customers and partners. You’ll work cross-functionally with key partners, modernise systems, and ensure smooth programme governance that keeps everything on track. If you’re commercially savvy, data-driven, and thrive on collaboration, this is your chance to make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

What you’ll do

• Partner with Franchise Commercial Managers to implement new ways of working and establish strong cross-functional programme governance for alignment and accountability.
• Collaborate with Commercial Managers and Space, Range and Display teams to deliver a Minimum Credible Range (MCR) and develop range cluster strategies that meet customer and commercial needs.
• Lead initiatives to simplify the New Product Development (NPD) process, ensuring timely and accurate launches, and identify bottlenecks to streamline workflows.
• Support modernisation of core systems by providing input into reporting, controls, and governance tools, and act as a liaison to ensure smooth adoption of new systems and processes.
• Coordinate with key partners (Franchise Commercial Managers, Franchise Partners, SRD, Supply Chain, Finance) to maintain alignment and deliver commercial objectives effectively.

Who you are

• Programme and Critical Path Management – Ability to handle complex programmes and timelines effectively.
• Strong Partner Management – Skilled at building relationships and influencing across multiple teams and functions.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation – Comfortable working with large datasets to inform decisions and strategies.
• Commercial Foresight – Understanding of profit and loss management and commercial drivers.
• Cross-functional Collaboration – Shown experience working across different business areas to deliver aligned outcomes.

What’s in it for You?

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger – delivering 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.

• 20% colleague discount for you + 1 household member (after probation)
• Competitive holiday allowance + option to buy more
• Discretionary bonus schemes linked to performance
• Strong pension + life assurance
• Tailored induction + training from day one
• Perks and savings via M&S Choices portal
• Market-leading family policies (parental, adoption, neonatal leave)
• 24/7 wellbeing support (GP access + mental health services)
• 1 paid volunteer day a year

Everyone’s Welcome

We are ambitious about the future of retail – disrupting, innovating and leading into a more inspiring digital era. We want diverse, representative teams where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.

If you need support or adjustments during recruitment, let us know in your application. Our team will make sure you have what you need to do your best.