Commercial Development Lead

PLEASE NOTE: As part of our organisational changes, our ongoing structure and roles continue to be reviewed. While this role is being advertised, circumstances may change and the role could be withdrawn/amended.

Applications Close 14th October.

Commercial Development Lead

At WHSmith Europe our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers, the ones that enable our growth.

The Commercial Development Lead role is a broad, hands-on role sitting at the heart of WHSmith Travel's commercial team. You'll work across areas supporting the team in driving process improvement, range strategy, and retail media development. This role is for someone who's comfortable moving between the strategic and the operational, with no two days the same. You'll work closely with colleagues across commercial and marketing, playing a key role in owning commercial processes developing our capabilities.

What you will be doing:

• Managing the range review process including critical path management, adherence to stage gate process and collation of stage gate materials.
• Supporting on planning the range review workload that talks to the commercial and category strategies.
• Continuously looking to improve the range review process to drive efficiencies within the business.
• Supporting on transformation projects alongside the Commercial Transformation Manager.
• Supporting in developing packages for buyers/media team to take to brands to deliver incremental revenue through a range of central initiatives.
• Managing the tracking documents for sales and margin VCOs as part of the budget processes.
• Overseeing the commercial training and onboarding process by working with key stakeholders across the business to keep training materials up to date and supporting with providing materials for all new starters to the business.
• Ensuring any process changes are communicated out to all commercial and marketing teams.
• Supporting the Commercial Insights Lead with running data and reports for media post campaign reporting and cycle post implementation reviews.
• Supporting the Commercial Insights Lead with obtaining supplier and landlord insights.

What we are looking for:

• Strong organisation and planning skills with an understanding on how to manage a critical path.
• Strong excel and powerpoint experience.
• Previous experience in planning media and/or trade activity within a retail environment.
• Good level of analytical experience and commercial acumen.
• A self-starter with the initiative to drive improvement and change without prompt.
• A team player who can self-manage but is willing and able to support colleagues.
• Experience in prioritising work and managing ambiguity.

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
• 4pm Friday Finish
• Flexible Working
• 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
• Family Friendly Leave
• Company Pension scheme
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
• Competitive Salary
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff Discount Card for railway stores (subject to policy)

About us:

Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries – the air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey. As a diverse group of over 6,000 colleagues, we’re all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

Our business operates from two key locations, In a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces.

For WHSmith Europe, our mission is simple – to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands across airports, hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our operational environment is fast-paced and highly regulated, requiring exceptional standards of maintenance, compliance, health & safety and colleague welfare across every location.

We’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.

We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!