Head of Network Solutions

Working in partnership with M&S, at Gist we deliver industry-leading logistics and supply chain transformation.

At Gist, safety and people sit at the heart of everything we do. We value individuality and create an environment where everyone can bring their authentic self to work, contribute meaningfully, and make a real impact.

We are currently seeking an experienced Head of Network Solutions; this role is to be based in Chineham, Basingstoke two days per week with travel across the network as required.

The Head of Network Solutions is accountable for leading the network solutions team to deliver the design and maintenance of an optimal transport network across Foods.

This role will work cross functionally across Foods & Fashion, Home & Beauty (FH&B) identifying opportunities to synergise and integrate the networks to generate value for M&S, whilst working closely with the wider Planning Team to ensure that the network is performing against the required KPIs.

The Head of Network Solutions will create an effective and progressive working environment, whilst developing a high performing team with succession pathways where everyone can flourish.

What's in it for you?

Gist is an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and evolving business built on our core values. Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for Gist just that little bit more special.

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
• Private medical insurance
• Attractive annual bonus scheme, based on M&S performance and personal objectives
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance (up to 4 times salary)
• Amazing perks and discounts via our App to major restaurants and retailers
• Access to a wide range of wellbeing support - including our Employee Assistance Programme
• A first-class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to help with your learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working pattern: Monday - Friday with flexibility to meet the business needs

Location: Gist Chineham, RG24 8UB 2 days per week with travel across the network as required

What you'll do:

• Continuously review the Foods & FH&B transport network design to ensure that it is optimised and aligned with the organisational strategy
• Identify synergies and opportunities to integrate the networks to generate a pipeline of network opportunities to deliver £10m of savings per annum
• Own the program and projects to facilitate the regional integration of Food, FH&B and (Click and Collect)
• Oversee the design, maintenance and control of the Retail and Primary network scheduled database
• Accountability for Event planning including Peak to ensure that the network is set up for success
• Manage the insource of inbound transport lanes not currently in M&S direct control
• Explore and implement new system developments to streamline current processes and move to one E2E technical platform across Foods & FH&B
• Lead and develop the Network Solutions team to ensure the team have the required skill set to produce and deliver value for M&S, on a consistent basis, whilst also creating succession development pathways
• Represent the Transport Function on interactions with senior stakeholders across M&S
• Effectively collaborate with the Planning and Regional Operations teams to ensure the base plan is delivering against KPIs and challenge current ways of working
• Review and feedback on 3PL partner CI initiatives to decide which should be progressed to implementation
• Master Data maintenance within the Transport Systems
• Keep up to date with industry best practice to ensure logistics operations support the needs of the organisation

Who you are:

• Extensive knowledge of transport logistics networks including experience within transport planning
• The ability to engage and influence at all levels both within Gist and M&S
• The ability to act in the best interests of M&S, arbitrating where necessary the competing interests of the business units
• Ability to take a fresh and innovative view to problem solving and analysis
• Inspirational leadership skills
• Analytical approach to review effectiveness and efficiency of current network
• Experience of relevant network planning systems - Paragon (essential) & Enterprise
• Exceptional logic and numerical reasoning
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
• The ability to simplify complex problems/messages - adjusting the approach as necessary
• Ability to think creatively to solve problems and to bring colleagues with you
• Ability to set direction when faced with ambiguity and able to positively adapt through changing priorities
• Stakeholder management skills to provide information, drive decisions and resolve issues
• Able to lead an engaged and high performing team

Why Gist?

At Gist we are united by our core values; with safety and people at the heart of everything do, we are progressive, accountable, collaborative, and ethical.

Our objective is to establish a performance-focused environment that is fair and inclusive, where everyone can develop, and connect meaningfully to their manager, the Gist vision, and M&S. We are fiercely protective of everyone's health, safety, and wellbeing, and align firmly to M&S's sustainability commitments in Plan A.

Gist will play an integral part in the M&S journey as it pushes boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring era. As part of the M&S group, there's never been a better time to be part of our team. Join us and make an immediate impact.

Gist aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment. If it's meaningful to you, it's important to us.

Our Internal Recruitment Team fulfil all vacancies on a direct basis. Unsolicited contact by unapproved agencies (sharing speculative CVs) will not be accepted and introductory fees will not apply.