ABOUT THE ROLE
Our Industrial Placement Programme within Commercial Optimisation will make you see retail in a new light. Our unique Partnership difference and approach to business will enable you to get the most out of your placement year. Our placements combine hands-on experience with real projects. You will also receive relevant on the job training.
The Commercial Optimisation Directorate, part of the Waitrose Commercial team, is made up of the following specialisms: 1) Value (Pricing & Promotions) & Trade Planning, 2) Commercial Strategy & Planning, 3) Space, Range & Formats, 4) Commercial Management, 5) Retail Media Sales & Activation and 6) Commercial Projects.
As part of your 12 month placement, you will have the opportunity to rotate through multiple departments within Commercial Optimisation (c.3-4 months each) with the work focussed on providing coordination, analysis and broader team support with the opportunity to lead project based work as assigned by the task manager during each rotation. The programme of activity will be shaped to align with your interests and objectives.
In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £3.50 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.
* Salary: Up to £24,000. Please note from 1st April 2026, the salary range for this role will be £26,500
* Contract type: This position is a Fixed Term contract for an Industrial Placement (typically 12 months).
* Proposed Start Date : July 2026
* Working pattern/flexible working: The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The Commercial team aims for at least 3 days a week in the office to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings. There is also an expectation to travel to other locations, such as Waitrose Shops, as required
* Location: Bracknell Head Office
Key responsibilities
You'll have a number of key accountabilities during your Industrial Placement in Commercial Optimisation, these will include;
* Provide Effective Support and Coordination: To deliver effective and efficient support for the department assigned to, focusing on coordination and broader team assistance during each rotation.
* Conduct Data Analysis and Generate Insights: To evaluate and analyse data, using skills like analytical thinking and data manipulation (e.g. Excel/Google Sheets), to turn numerical insights into credible, actionable plans that inform decision-making.
* Own and Deliver Project-Based Work: To lead and take ownership of assigned project-based work within each rotation, ensuring all activity and deliverables are completed to a high standard, on time, and with accuracy and attention to detail.
* Maintain Commercial Awareness Through Market Observation: Conduct regular visits to Waitrose shops and key competitors, documenting observations and sharing insights with the relevant Commercial Optimisation teams to support strategic decision-making, ensuring we bring to life what the Customer sees.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
* As part of your degree, be able to take a year out in industry commencing July 2026
Please Note:
* Interviews will take place from in March 2026.
* The placement will start July 2026
* Please print off the job description now, as you will be unable to view it once the vacancy has closed.
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Closing Date:
March 10, 2026
Pay:
£24,000.00 - £24,000.00 Annual
Contract Type:
Temporary
Hours of Work:
35
Job Level:
Partnership Level 10
Where You'll Be Working:
Bracknell Campus, Doncastle Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YA
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 also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.
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.