European Location Strategy Manager - North & Cee

JD GROUP; Bury; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A retail company in Bury is seeking a Location Strategy Manager to develop and execute the North & Central European store network plan. The role involves leading a team to perform market analysis and forecasts, collaborating with various stakeholders to optimize investment decisions. A strong background in data analysis, spatial techniques, and team leadership is essential. Applicants should be prepared to travel and possess a valid driving license.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail or consultancy location planning.
• Thorough understanding of spatial analysis techniques.
• Ability to present insights to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop North and Central European store network plan.
• Prepare business cases for store investment opportunities.
• Collaborate on store openings and analyze performance.
• Manage data-driven insight on market trends.
• Lead team and set clear objectives.

Skills

Data analysis

Sales forecasting

Spatial analysis

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

GIS (ARC, QGIS)

Alteryx

Job description

Responsible to:
Head of European Location Strategy

Department:
Property

Location:
Bury

Hours:
40 Hours Per Week – hours of work will be flexible (minimum of 80% of working hours office based - subject to travel) and dictated by the needs of the business. It is expected that the successful applicant will work those hours necessary to successfully fulfil the duties of the role.

Expected Start Date:
Q3 2025

Role Overview

Exciting opportunity within the Location Strategy team to support the expansion of Group’s store network across Europe. Your primary responsibility will be to own the North & Central European network plan, developing a team to provide detailed market analysis and accurate sales forecasts, to ensure that capital investment is targeted at opportunities that deliver optimum returns. In addition you will work cross-functionally to provide insight to support wider business decision-making and promote the deployment of property data.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to develop a clear North and Central European store network plan, monitoring progress against strategic objectives.
• Prepare business case (including catchment, demographic, competition, site visit, and detailed sales forecasts) for all store investment opportunities across North & Central Europe at Property Board meetings.
• Drive innovation and deployment of store and online sales forecasting tools, working with both internal teams and external suppliers.
• Collaborate with finance, retail and acquisition teams to review store openings, analysing reasons for over and under performance, and using insights to recommend improvements to target locations and forecasting.
• Key stakeholder in the development of internal network planning tools to contribute spatial analysis to wider strategic business projects.
• Provide insight on market trends (ie. footfall, competitive landscape) across existing and new territories.
• People management and task management responsibilities, setting clear goals and objectives.
• Promote the use of spatial, consumer and online insight across business functions.

Position Requirements

• Strong passion for data, spatial analysis, site selection and/or sales forecasting.
• Experience of leading a team within a Retail or Consultancy location planning environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of location planning techniques and geo-demographics.
• Demonstrate strong commercial and business acumen.
• Detailed understanding of the application of spatial analytical tools such as GIS (Ie. ARC, QGIS) and Alteryx.
• Excellent communication skills, demonstrating ability to present to a wide variety of audiences.
• Proven spatial and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail.
• High level of enthusiasm, self‑motivation, with ability to work within a team and independently.
• Willingness to travel.
• Knowledge of UK, European or International retail markets.
• For this role you would need a full driving licence and a valid Passport.