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Format Proposition Manager

Employer
WHSmith
Location
London
Salary
Negotiable
Closing date
21 May 2021

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Sector
Retail
Hours
Full Time
Flexibility
Flexible working available
Contract Type
Permanent

Job Details

Format Proposition Manager
London Head Office, Houndsditch (with travel)
Grade D+


The Opportunity
WHSmith Travel are constantly innovating. Whether that be with our store formats, locations or ranges within store, our business never stands still. We now have an exciting opportunity to join a newly created team heading up our Format and Proposition team.

This position will report directly to the Format Development Director and will be responsible for the strategy, direction and delivery of our format and proposition initiatives. This is a key new initiative for WHSmith Travel, and a vital pillar to WHSmith Travel's strategic growth. It's a high profile, first of its kind for the business; and one that requires the successful applicant to manage, build and deliver a new end to end model.

What you'll do
You will be accountable for the end to end scope, strategy, design and build of our propositions and models. Working closely across departments you'll plan and define the project scope to ensure clear, agreed and deliverable objectives. Working cross functionally with senior stakeholders you'll manage progress to ensure other departments are on track with their accountabilities, escalating and influencing senior stakeholders along the way to mitigate any issues impacting the project delivery.

With this being such a vital business area you'll be visible as the single point of contact and expert across our Travel Formats and Propositions. Providing advice on the management of projects, controlling quality and recommending improvements and changes where appropriate. Creating accurate and precise project documentation (including charts, schedules and progress reports) you'll monitor and manage risks, issues and progress accordingly.

Who we're looking for
Previous experience in high-profile project / programme management positions will be key. This is an exciting, innovative and important opportunity within an established retailer; but it's no mean feat.

You'll need to have good commercial acumen, with the ability to interrogate P&L's, performance detail, modelling of trials, margins of product. Previous Retail / FMCG experience is highly advantageous, or a background in working on large scale retail proposition projects. What is mandatory is previous experience of being able to communicate, pull a plan together and present this.

Impeccably organised, methodical and with high attention to detail you'll be able to work under pressure, to tight deadlines with pace, proactively and flexibly. You'll need to be a strong communicator, written and oral, able to interact, influence and engage with multiple stakeholders including at board level with gravitas and credibility. A high level of analysis experience along with an analytical mindset is required, with strong commercial acumen and experience including profit and loss, future feasibility and modelling, post completion analysis and being able to analyse sales trends, keep your ear to the ground with competitor activity.

What's in it for you?
You'll be at of the hub of an incredibly fast-moving function and you'll be trusted to make decisions that benefit the business. It's a serious responsibility - which will seriously motivate you. You'll thrive on the freedom and the chance to use your skills and will be supported with plenty of training and development opportunities.

What's more, you can expect some fab rewards, including an achievable annual bonus, 25 days' holiday (and the option to buy more), private medical insurance and a car allowance. Plus, a competitive pension, the perks of your birthday off and an early finish on Fridays, and lots more! Our London Head Office is only a five minute walk from Liverpool Street tube and close to lots of shops, bars and restaurants.



Company

WHSmith started in 1792 with a small news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street, London, followed by the opening of our first bookstall in Euston Station in 1848. We quickly established ourselves as the favoured newsagent, stationers and bookseller opening stores across the UK. From this point on, there has been no looking back.

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