Store Space Optimization Lead

Marks & Spencer Plc; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% colleague discount on all M&S 

Competitive holiday allowance

Discretionary bonus schemes

Pension and life assurance

Tailored induction and training

Exclusive perks via M&S Choices

Market-leading family policies

Wellbeing support

Volunteer day

Job summary

Marks & Spencer plc is seeking a Store Space Performance Planner to turn analytics into practical space optimisation across Fashion, Home and Beauty stores. You will partner with regional and divisional leaders to drive macro space changes and improved store productivity.

You will use space performance data and tools to shape space proposals, support store teams, and ensure space strategies align with the division's transformation agenda.

Qualifications

• Strong ability to initiate, build, and sustain relationships with stakeholders.
• Expert understanding of the Space Planning and Merchandising critical path, process flows, competencies, and related activities.
• Knowledge of FH&B, Space & Retail reporting, and merch systems.

Responsibilities

• Drive FHB Space & Grading Across the Division. Oversee all aspects of Fashion, Home and Beauty space and grading within your division, ensuring space is used efficiently, aligns with business strategy and meets customer needs to maximise sales, productivity and ROI.
• Drive commercial Space Optimisation across the Estate. Lead reviews of every store throughout the year using Red/Amber/Green methodology to assess complexity, identify opportunities, and drive BU space optimisation. Analyse store space performance to identify opportunities for macro-BU change, using data to build clear, commercially grounded recommendations for senior stakeholders. Produce PIRs to ensure learnings and insights are embedded into future store proposals.
• Develop & Present Store Block Plans. Create proposed macro space block plans to illustrate space changes, model the commercial benefits, and compile compelling summaries. Chairing divisional store space surgeries involving regional managers, Field VM and Space management. Ensure commercial, operational and Space priorities are aligned, and that Space macro decision making remains strategic and future focused, presenting your store space proposals in these sessions.
• Translate Strategy into Practical Application. With the Store Performance Manager and BU Space Planning teams translate strategy, grading frameworks and space planning principles into actionable plans for each store. Use space performance data, modelling tools, and productivity leavers to support decision making and presenting commercially grounded recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Act as Regional Space Partner and voice of stores. Serve as the primary point of contact for Regional Managers on all FHB space related topics. Build trusted relationships with Regional Managers and Store Directors, securing alignment and buy in to deliver space optimisation with momentum. Lead regular visit to stores with senior stakeholders to understand and provide expert guidance on operational realities, customer behaviour and the practicalities of delivering macro moves at scale. Support stores in adopting the M&S Way for Space and upskill new Store Managers and Regional Managers in the FHB Space and Transformation strategies

Skills

Relationship building

Influencing at all levels

Commercial acumen

Data-driven decision making

Tools

Blue Yonder floor planning

RP

MP

GMOR

PowerBI

Job description

Marks & Spencer plc is seeking a Store Space Performance Planner to turn analytics into practical space optimisation across Fashion, Home and Beauty stores. You will partner with regional and divisional leaders to drive macro space changes and improved store productivity.

You will use space performance data and tools to shape space proposals, support store teams, and ensure space strategies align with the division's transformation agenda.