Assistant Product Operations Specialist

As an Assistant Product Operations Specialist you will provide technical support within the Supply Chain E2E function. You will take responsibility for the maintenance and governance of key system processes within our core Merchandising systems and related satellite systems.You will act as the primary point of communication, helping to manage, prioritise and escalate support as necessary. Through processing and leveraging data, you will drive continuous improvement opportunities within core planning processes and facilitate the delivery. You will also be responsible for ensuring these improvements are embedded into Standard Operating Procedures and ways of working across the impacted departments.

In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

At a glance

Role Title: Assistant Product Operations Specialist

Contract Type: Permanent 

Location: Bracknell Head Office with Hybrid Working 

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. Within the team, the core office day is Tuesday. We typically aim for around 3 days a week in the office

Please note, some on call cover will be expected for this role - 1 week in every 8, between hours 06:00-21:30, including weekends 

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week 

Salary: £34,000 - £51,500, is the full pay band; however, we are looking for candidates up to £45K depending on experience

Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 
● Provide technical support to Partners within the Supply Chain End To End function and manage, prioritise and escalate this support as necessary.
● Actively resolve issues and communicate any changes.
● Take responsibility for the maintenance and governance of key system processes within our core Merchandising systems: LDE (Demand), JDA (Planning and Fulfillment), RMS (Order Execution & Inventory) and related satellite systems.
● Be the primary point of communication from your Team to the wider business.
● Effectively land change from new system upgrades or changes to existing processes.
● Derive Continuous Improvement opportunities within core planning processes and facilitate their delivery.
● Understand and leverage data in the pursuit of these goals to ensure the correct decisions are made and maximum value delivered.
● Take advantage of opportunities to develop and roll-out training to Merchandising partners.
● Play a full part in the Merchandising Profession, support the Partnership’s Strategic Goals, related touchpoints and delivery of Objectives & Key Responsibilities (OKR’s).

Essential skills you'll need:

• Experience using Merchandising systems - LDE, JDA, RMS.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills. 

• Experience of delivering training. 

• Proven ability to take ownership of complex issues and drive them to resolution. 

• Effective organisation and planning skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Skills you may have:

• Track record of success applying agile principles 

• Experience in embracing change and supporting the business through system upgrades.

• Experience of working in supply chain 

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 occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

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. 

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