Responsible and accountable to the Head of Supply Chain function, ensuring that the retail space is used efficiently and effectively, that the ‘space policy’ is applied in all projects across all 35 stores. Negotiating with a wide range of colleagues and overseeing the work of the Space Planning team. Engaging and collaborating with all key stakeholders and functions within the business from Category Managers, Marketing, Operations Project Management, Merchandising and Stores. Working with a fast paced, changeable environment. Introducing new concepts the 35 store network. Being the voice of the Planning function across the retail estate, representing the Planning function to all stakeholders within the business. Lead through credibility and trust. Implementing a best-in-class Space Planning process.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Accountable for all space, maximising the ‘Sales Per Meter,’ ensuring the correct space to sales ratio for products – micro and macro – and the right mix of products in the right stores.
Commercialise the Planning function through implementation of a proven KPI framework.
Constantly review commercial performance across all layouts and floor plans ensuring they are at the forefront of new format thinking.
Refine the planning process, communicating this to all function leaders.
Instil a very high level of detail and self-management within the team.
Responsible for core as well as promotional builds, customer flow as well as health and safety.
Using customer insight, market data and sales reports to inform decisions, presenting these back to the business
To be responsible for designing and briefing the brand space strategy to the business
To liaise closely with the wider projects team and work together to ensure timely conclusion of space elements of projects.
Retail and Supply, Marketing, Commercial and Space Planning, IT, Property, Stock Loss Prevention and Health and Safety
Responsible for the management of day-to-day space requests, proposed alterations, and the space element of projects, to track progress and ensure timely conclusion.
Evaluate requests in the context of the APG Activity Planner in line with the business’s wider objectives and the space policy, and to determine if these are appropriate or whether alternatives are required. For smaller projects to decide which should proceed and to offer constructive comment and negotiate with requestors.
Conduct negotiations with departmental contacts, heads of department including members of the Executive Team, regarding space requirements and appropriate space allocations to ensure the efficient use of retail space.
Be proactive in the management of retail space. To initiate and conduct internal group consultations to explore customer requirements and team operation together with the analysis of technical data to devise and propose appropriate solutions to overcome space challenges considering user experiences, logistical, budgets, retail regulations and local demographic shopping patterns.
Support the Head of Supply Chain in developing strategic estate/building development plans for recommendation to the Leadership Team.
Where required, to lead, establish or contribute to departmental consultations on development projects. To produce and conduct presentations to colleagues, to other departments and to consult on the proposed changes, to challenge requirements and overcome conflicting views collaboratively.
To lead on space software requirements and create and lead, stores of excellence to ensure best practices are cascaded and maintained.
Oversee the production of detailed design layouts and plans including fixture and fittings specification.
To manage the annual and long term planned budgets for category resets, including determining which stores to resize and reset.
To develop good working relationships with departmental contacts, project working groups and external peers for mutual benefit.
To oversee the work of colleagues within the Space Team, ensuring that the Blue Yonder space management database and the AutoCAD master building plans are being updated swiftly, accurately and in line with safety standards, stock loss prevention and legal processes.
To oversee the production and timely submission of return-on-investment papers and post investment appraisals
To produce or oversee the production of appropriate KPI reports and statistical management information in a visual format to easily represent information to others.
Lead on Blue Yonder and AutoCAD space systems, research, and development, involving testing and implementing upgrades and new software.
To lead in the continued development of business’s policies and processes on the allocation and use of space, interpreting current theory and practice from the Retail Sector
The procurement and management of additional internal and external CAD resources when appropriate.

Experience and Qualifications

Higher education or equivalent in a relevant subject or membership or an appropriate professional body.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience of space management and retail.
Detailed knowledge and application of space planning practices.
Experience of Space Management Systems Blue Yonder CKB suite preferable and AutoCAD experience.
Negotiation experience with a wide range of people.
IT literacy including databases, spreadsheets, and Microsoft suite.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to a range of people.
Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise effectively a varied and demanding workload.
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to plan and co-ordinate policy and practice, both as an individual and as a member of a team.
Ability to analyse and propose solutions to problems.
Adaptability and flexibility in the light of changing circumstances.
Numerate and IT literate with the ability to interpret/present data and interrogate information.

If this is something if interest to you please send your CV in confidence to [email protected]