Programme Manager (Buying & Merchandising or Supply Chain Technology)

A bit about the role

What is the role?

The Programme Manager is accountable for the successful delivery of all elements of IT programmes under their remit on behalf of Selfridges.  This would be Buying and Merchandising and Supply Chain Technologies.   Programme Managers will engage closely with stakeholders across the business to manage overall delivery, budgets, timelines, risks and issues, handover of services to support and the realisation of benefits.  Programme Managers will line manage Project Managers and matrix-manage individuals in other areas of the delivery organisation. This is a role requiring strong leadership and flexibility of approach to deliver the best outcomes for the Selfridges business.

As the Programme Manager you will:

Deliver complex programmes with multiple business and technical risks that will impact the success of key Selfridges business priorities.

Initiate and shape programmes with ambiguous scope and uncertain delivery approach.

Track project/programme finances, balancing spend to release benefit and ensuring that Selfridges obtains value for the investment it makes.

Add value to vendor selection processes (tendering, SLAs, warranty, outsourcing etc.).

Be able to foresee potential risks and issues, establish a process, facilitate discussion and manage escalations.

Provide expert advice and guidance on programme delivery (mentoring project managers and supporting other teams across IS and the business).

Be able to understand a technical architecture to be able to foresee the impact on dependencies, delivery timelines and implementation plans.

Have a good knowledge of software integration, engineering and infrastructure practices and implementation to appreciate delivery challenges.

Understand modern technology concepts, grasp new ones quickly and appreciate their implications on delivery.

Build positive relationships with suppliers & external stakeholders to deliver software or professional services.

This guide represents a summary of the role, however all team members are expected to be flexible in the work they undertake, which may change from time to time, according to the needs of the business

A bit about you

How you’ll do it…you will have:

An already experienced Programme Manager having successfully led complex technology and business change programmes. These will have been achieved across multiple teams and most probably multiple locations.

Worked for a retailer with a strong digital and physical presence and you will understand what the customer experience needs to look like across channels.

Ideally with B&M / Supply Chain experience specifically but if not then an experienced Programme Manager within Retail.

The ability to explain & influence why the customer journey needs to be understood end-to-end, so that we can drive out the best customer experience.

An understanding of what it means to be the conscience of the customer and consider the customer in all of your decisions and interactions.

A track record of building strong relationships across senior stakeholders and of positively influencing senior management and leadership teams.

Experience as part of the Senior Management group within your current role and are looking to develop your career further. You will be comfortable with engagement from team members on the shop/warehouse floor, to the exec team.

Leadership skills, you will balance the delivery of programmes with the development of your teams, ensuring that we live the Selfridges values.

Been leading a team – whether direct reports or a matrix. You understand what it takes to build a high-performing team and make your team a great place to work.

Retail experience that is strong, with exposure across the value chain and channels.

Seen first-hand how customers are being more technology led in their decision making and also that the experience matters as much as the transaction.  

Experience of coaching peers and other roles, teaching where required, on methodologies and programme management tools and coach/mentor on leadership.

Played an active role in previous programme delivery communities – you are able to proactively influence your team, building on capabilities and increasing the capacity to deliver change

A bit about us

Our Creative Spirit 

We are more than a shop. We are a social space where culture and commerce collide to release an energy that we call the Selfridges spirit. We are here to make our world brighter, and everyone is welcome. 

Our Awards Cabinet 

We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked...Selfridges has won the award for The World’s Best Department Store an unprecedented four times at the IGDS awards, with an additional award for the Best Sustainability Campaign.  

Our Future 

Since 1909 we have been at the forefront of retail and today our stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham – alongside selfridges.com and the Selfridges App – continue to redefine the way we shop and socialise. As a Selfridges team member, you will learn what it takes to consistently drive innovation, success and amazing customer experiences. 

Everyone is welcome

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive working culture, and we see this as key to our success and our working culture. Here at Selfridges, everyone is welcome - irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or disability, we stand by equal opportunities for all. We are diverse, we are inclusive, we are Selfridges.

The Fun Stuff  

There are lots of reasons to be excited about joining Team Selfridges – from our fantastic team member communities to volunteer days and behind-the-scenes Selfridges experiences throughout the year. 

Other benefits and rewards include:

• Generous bonus and/or commission scheme 
• Discounted gym memberships 
• Pension contributions  
• Annual travel pass and cycle to work schemes 
• A volunteer day for all team members 
• Access to a wide range of training programmes to help your career development