Product Manager

We are seeking two Product Managers to join the Waitrose Supply Chain team. In these roles, you will maximise the value of the systems powering our physical distribution network.

These are backend, data-driven infrastructure roles focused on core transactional and operational logic, not front-end user interfaces. You will choose one of two focus areas:

Role 1: Warehousing: Focus on warehouse management, picking logic and in future our transition from manual to automated solutions.

Role 2: Fleet & Transport: Focus on vehicle routing algorithms, driver dispatch tools and delivery optimisation.

As a Product Manager you are the intersection between business, technology and user experience. To succeed, you must spend time on the warehouse floor and with transport teams to understand how our software integrates with physical hardware (such as handheld terminals) and manual processes.

At a glance 

Contract Type - Permanent

Location - This role is based at our Bracknell Head Office

Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office, visits to our Distribution Centres, and at home, based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. You will be required to attend the Bracknell Office a minimum 3 days a week.

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week 

Salary: £64,000 - £80,000, depending on experience

Interviews will be held in person at Bracknell from the week commencing 27th July.

Key responsibilities

• Create and drive an inspiring product vision and roadmap using customer, industry, and business insights 

• Set clear OKRs and manage a transparent, prioritised Product Backlog to optimise delivery value 

• Write high-quality user stories and establish functional and non-functional requirements in collaboration with development teams 

• Effectively manage, engage, and align diverse technical and non-technical stakeholders behind product goals 

• Utilise data, analytics, and experimentation (such as A/B testing) to continually improve and iterate on features 

• Manage release scope, track delivery progress, and balance technical and design debt with customer and commercial value 

• Act as a role model and mentor within the team while actively contributing to the Product Management community of practice 

Essential skills/experience you’ll need 

• Experience leading others within a Product team using an Agile development methodology (such as SCRUM or Kanban). 

• Able to solve complex problems and take a new perspective on existing solutions. 

• Proven ability to respond to and prioritise changing demands effectively. 

• Ability to balance multiple priorities, stakeholders and timelines. 

• Making data oriented decisions.

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Experience in defining and delivering Minimum Viable Products, running complex tests at scale.

• Experience of Distribution products either in Warehousing or Fleet & Transport domains.

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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