Supply Chain Development Manager

Waitrose & Partners; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retail brand is seeking TWO Supply Chain Development Managers at their Bracknell site. In this role, you will drive strategic network development, influence key decisions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidates will have experience in designing network strategy for grocery retailers, managing 3PLs, and engaging with executive stakeholders. The position emphasizes autonomy, innovation, and flexible working practices.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Employee ownership benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in designing network strategy in large, complex Grocery retailers.
• Executive level stakeholder engagement and management.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering large-scale projects and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Supply Chain portfolio backlog and develop business cases.
• Support long-term network strategy design and automation strategy.
• Coordinate long-term strategic commercial and financial inputs.

Skills

Experience in designing network strategy in large Grocery retailers

Managing 3PLs

Executive level stakeholder engagement

Delivering large-scale projects

Planning strategic change

Leading complex teams

Job description

About the role

We are looking for TWO Supply Chain Development Managers to join our site here at Bracknell. This Supply Chain Development Manager role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a leading retail brand's supply chain. You'll drive strategic network development, influence key decisions, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across the John Lewis Partnership. As a Partner in our employee‑owned business, you'll be more than just an employee; you'll be a co‑owner, sharing in our success and playing a vital role in delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Shorter term horizon (12 months) you are accountable for:

• Managing the Supply Chain portfolio backlog (pre and post business planning).
• Working with cross‑functional stakeholders to develop business cases within the Supply Chain portfolio.
• Preparing the relevant business case governance documentation.
• Work closely with Network Planning & Optimisation and Distribution Partners to ensure a smooth baton pass between strategy/strategic portfolio of change and the running of the Supply Chain & Distribution operation.

Longer term horizon (2‑5+ years) you are responsible for:

• Supporting the Supply Chain Strategic Planning & Development Lead to facilitate the long‑term network strategy design and automation strategy design for Partner‑run and 3PLs sites, including leading the analysis and insight activities to support this.
• Support the Supply Chain Strategic Planning & Development Lead to work with teams across the business to understand the impacts of the long‑term network design and automation strategy on property, people capability and Supply Chain systems development.
• Managing the coordination of long‑term strategic commercial and financial inputs and assumptions, working across directorates to gather and review on a regular basis.
• Supporting the Supply Chain Strategic Planning & Development Lead with managing the Supply Chain RMC budget, driving improvement across technology, physical assets, vehicles etc.
• Supporting the Supply Chain Director and Supply Chain Strategic Planning & Development Lead with stakeholder engagement as required.
• Understanding and delivering core Supply Chain KPIs at a high level, managing the trade offs between cost and service by supporting the Supply Chain Strategic Planning & Development Lead to look ahead at future growth and cost landscape, making recommendations where there may be trade offs or decisions to be made.
• Working closely with specialist third‑party consultancies where required.
• Ensuring team members are attuned to significant industry trends and expert insights, which are then integrated into the Waitrose environment.

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in designing network strategy in large, complex Grocery retailers.
• Working with or managing 3PLs.
• Executive level stakeholder engagement and management.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering large‑scale projects and data‑driven decision making.
• Planning and developing strategic change.
• Implementing long‑term plans and forecasts over a 5‑10 year horizon.
• Leading large, complex cross‑functional teams.

Desirable Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Worked in a consultancy role or worked closely with strategy consultants.
• Worked in a 3PL provider.
• Experience in large scale IT implementations.
• Experience in leading people through change in retail organisations.
• Experience in developing and implementing automation solutions in a Retail or Logistics environment.

The Partnership supports agile and flexible working practices, such as when, where and how we work. We have several different ways to work flexibly, including part‑time, flexible or compressed hours, and job sharing. You'll have the opportunity to discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview and, where it is operationally practicable, they'll do all they can to accommodate your needs.

Please consider the following when making your application for this role:

The application form consists of a CV upload and application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to in time. (If internal, check your Workday notifications.)

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we recommend you apply early.

About The Partnership

We're the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We're not just employees, we're Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there's never been a more exciting time to join us.

We're ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food‑lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we're free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It's important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you'll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.