Format Strategy Manager

Job description

Job Type

Creative & Design

Location

Bracknell Campus

Partnership Level

5

Closing Date

29/11/2024

Vacancy Type

Permanent

Salary

£70,400.00 - £112,600.00 Annual

Salary Frequency

Annual

Hours of Work

Full time

Share

Share job or send it to yourself for later
share

Apply Now

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 it is possible to do so. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.

Our Purpose

Working in Partnership for a happier world – our shared Purpose that guides us in everything we do and inspires 3 important principles; happier people, happier business, happier world. The John Lewis Partnership is a truly unique business, one that seeks to make a positive difference to the lives of everyone.

At a Glance

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Bracknell based with hybrid working the expectation to go into the office 1-2 days a week to attend meetings 

Salary Range: £70,400.00 - £112,600.00 per annum

Partnership Level: 5

 

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Waitrose Range Strategy and Performance team as a Format Strategy Manager.

The Format Strategy Manager will be responsible for shaping the future of our store formats, aligning them with Waitrose's strategic vision and commercial objectives. The Format Strategy Manager is passionate about our customers and works widely across Waitrose to ensure a fantastic experience for customers, considering things such as mission, store size, location, to develop a store format framework that will deliver an omni-channel customer experience.

This pivotal role will spearhead the development and implementation of a comprehensive store format framework, ensuring an optimal balance between customer centricity, commercial requirements and operational efficiency for different size stores. Through data-driven insights and a deep understanding of the retail landscape, the Format Strategy Manager will define and categorise store formats, providing strategic direction to cross-functional teams and link into business projects where format information is needed.

By fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, the Format Strategy Manager will drive performance optimisation across the Waitrose estate, maximising profitability and enhancing the overall customer experience.

 

Some of your key responsibilities include but not limited too:   

· 
Leverage a comprehensive range of quantitative and qualitative data sources to extract actionable insights and inform strategic decision-making regarding store format optimization.

· 
Use various sources to keep up to date with trends, competitors and Waitrose customers

· 
Develop and define the suite of format blueprints across the estate using demography, shopping missions and operational considerations.

· 
Work with the Retail Labour Model team to build accompanying operating models.

· 
Foster a deep understanding and adoption of the Waitrose store format framework across the Partnership, providing guidance and support to stakeholders in leveraging the framework to enhance their respective areas of responsibility.

· 
Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across Waitrose Commercial, Supply Chain,

· 
Customer, Retail, and Online to communicate and implement format-specific optimization strategies, fostering a culture of shared ownership and accountability.

· 
Effectively engage stakeholders across the business (up to senior level) at the right time to ensure alignment, understanding and engagement of the store format framework

Essential Skills  

● Previous experience in format creation of store format frameworks 

● Highly data numerate and able to analyse varied and complex data sources

● An excellent communicator, with strong collaboration and negotiation skills; able to distil information into a coherent and relevant story or answer

● Proven stakeholder management. Previous experience of leading cross-functional teams with the ability to establish strong working relationships and influence senior Partners

● Data based decision making

● Continuous improvement mindset

● Empowering others

● Strong understanding of customer, commercial, operational and shopping experience requirements

● Appreciation of the retail market and current trends

Desirable  

● Prior experience in format and/or proposition development in a grocery retailer

Benefits of the Partnership and the role: 

· 
️ - Full - time working holiday entitlement 25 days holiday, plus public and bank holidays, 

· 
♥️ - Healthcare Cover

· 
- Car Allowance

· 
⚖ - Excellent work life balance, including focus on well being and flexible working and our marketing leading equal parenthood leave Policy

· 
- Defined Contribution pension scheme where your contributions will be matched by the Partnership (up to 8% of pay) and, after three years’ service, you’ll receive an additional Partnership contribution of 4% of pay, regardless of whether you pay in or not

· 
- You’ll get Partnership discount in store and online once you complete probation. That’s 25% off in John Lewis & Partners (12% off electrical products) and 20% in Waitrose & Partners. You’ll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount

· 
-  Simple cycle to work support scheme

· 
- We’re really proud of our exclusive hotels based in some of Britain’s most beautiful areas and once you’ve been with us for three months, you’re welcome to explore them

· 
-  Learn more about our extensive range of exciting benefits that you could enjoy when you join us, visit - https://www.jlpjobs.com/about/benefits/  

Next Steps 

· 
The application form consists of a CV upload followed by 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 and see further guidance on the PDW under "Internal application process").

· 
Once you've submitted an application the next step of the process, if successful, will be an interview.

· 
You'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you. 

Please note:

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

Internal only: Please click here to view the job description.

At the John Lewis Partnership, we embrace our differences. We want you to be you. Because, well, we know you're at your best when you're free to be yourself. Being a truly inclusive employer to us means creating an environment which celebrates your contribution, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion or belief. It's why we've set our own aim to become the UK’s most inclusive business - for our Partners (employees) and our customers. We firmly believe that our future success lies in diversity of thought from all Partners and it's integral in our mission to build a happier world. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us. And, once you're a Partner, your differences will make all the difference. Find out more about D&I in the Partnership here - https://www.jlpjobs.com/about/diversityandinclusion/