ABOUT THE ROLE
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Waitrose Commercial team as a Proposition Manager: Local & Regional. With plans to invest over £1bn in our store estate over the next 5 years, this role is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of the business.
As the Product Proposition Manager for Local & Regional you will be responsible for overall performance of the Local & Regional portfolio, providing a differentiated, high quantity experience and customer journey for our target customers. You will also assure GSCoP compliance across the full Local & Regional portfolio.
You will have buying responsibilities for elements of the local and regional assortment, accountable for the commercial delivery of the key KPIs. You will take the lead managing your cross functional category POD.
Working with the Product Proposition Owner and Trading Manager you will work with internal and external experts to deliver, run and develop this plan and market-beating performance. You will be the central ‘hub’ of activity, delivering the day to day management of the Local & Regional proposition, fostering communication, and skillfully balancing competing priorities.
You will monitor performance and feedback of the Product Proposition, identifying root causes of successes and challenges. You will stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging technologies to keep us ahead of the market.
The role will form part of the Value Added Food team, working closely with BrandsNew to seek innovative and challenger brands and products to offer to our Food Loving customers.
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* Salary - £54,500.00 - £84,100.00
* Salary up to £75,000 depending on experience
* Contract type - This position is permanent
* 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 team aim for around 2 day/s a week in the office
* Location - This role is a hybrid role home location is Bracknell
* Interview Dates 18th & 19th September
Key Responsibilities
* Build, manage and deliver sales and profit plans with associated KPIs for the Local and Regional assortment including the buying responsibility for the range
* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers to deliver a commercial range including proactive cost price management
* Accountable for developing and implementing an effective marketing and promotional calendar
* Support the development and delivery of the end to end proposition, with clear targets and measures of success
* Analyse customer data, market trends, and competitor activities to inform proposition development
* Measure and report on change activity, from small scale changes to transformational new launches to enable continuous improvement
* Operate in line with GSCoP, Competition Law, Anti-Bribery and CSR Policies and act as the point of contact for escalated issues
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
* Experience as a buyer or equivalent commercial role
* Stakeholder management skills and matrix working
* Understanding of commercial and operational levers
* Experience of leading cross functional projects
* GSCOP expertise
* Data based decision making
* Continuous improvement mindset
* Clear understanding of ideation, test and learn, pilot and roll out process, including full estate roll out of new customer concepts
* Understanding and awareness of legal implications of commercial activity with reference to Competition Law and other legislation relevant to a commercial role
Desirable skills/experience you may have
● Experience in food retail
● Experience working with small, local and regional or start-up brands
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Closing Date:
September 7, 2025
Pay:
£54,500.00 - £84,100.00 Annual
Contract Type:
Permanent
Hours of Work:
35 hours per week
Job Level:
Partnership Level 6
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.