Project & Solution Design Manager

South Elmsall Monday - Friday, 36 hours Life at Next Competitive salary package Company car Seasonal clothing allowance of £750 per season Executive share option Private medical cover 25% discount on Next merchandise Up to 15% off Brands including Nike, Adidas, Ted Baker, Converse & North Face Up to 75% discount at our staff shops Contributory pension scheme NEXT & THE TOTAL PLATFORM NEXT is one of the UK’s best known retailers on the high-street and most established online. Behind the scenes we are at the cutting edge of Warehousing, Logistics and eCommerce. Through our Total Platform we provide these same cutting edge services for our Brand Partners such Victoria’s Secret, REISS, GAP and Laura Ashley. Working within the Next Total Platform, the newly created Project & Solution Design Manager role will be full of variety and challenges. Like fashion trends, it’s fast paced and is constantly evolving. We now look after over 8 million customers, and it takes a large, talented and efficient distribution operation to keep our 500+ retail stores stocked, deliver our worldwide online offer and attract and embed our growing partnerships with over 1000 brands and third party outlets using Next’s Total Platform. Let’s Take it On Our continued growth and success is dependent on the expertise, passion and adaptability of our teams and we are looking for talented, dynamic and creative people to join us on the next step of this exciting journey. You’ll be joining a business which constantly pushes boundaries and pioneers the way. A lot has changed here at Next over the last four decades, but one thing remains constant; our strong people culture, built around a solid set of company values. About the Role The Project and Solution Design Manager will own the appraisal, scoping and delivery of new partner transitions to the NEXT TOTAL PLATFORM (TP). You’ll analyse and appraise potential Partner businesses including detailed and complex analysis of operational and financial data to fully quantify and understand: Operational scale, volumes processed and stock holding levels Operational requirements, functionality and process You will then ensure that all identified requirements are accommodated within the logistics solution where it is within the scope of the services that TP is able to provide and clearly define what will remain outside of scope. Working with the internal project team to define the end-to-end scope and functionality across all business areas, you will then identify and define any Technology developments that will be required to deliver the solution, cascading and communicating all business requirements for the project to Product Owners. As the Project Manager, you will then document and communicate the agreed scope and solution to Next and or Brand Partner Directors as part of the formal sign-off. Once agreed, you will own and formulate transition planning; migrating a live, operating business from the existing partner sites into Next Total Platform warehouses in alignment with our functional areas. This will include working closely with Engineering to ensure any changes or builds to automation, racking, lighting and decoration are scheduled in line with transition project timescales. You will also work closely with senior operational teams to develop a ‘Go Live’ roadmap to include all resource, equipment and process requirements and manage the evolution and development of the project ensuring adherence to the defined scope, timelines and SLA’s agreed with our Brand Partners. About you You will be proactively managing a wide range of responsibilities, so we need you to be an excellent Project Manager, capable of managing multiple projects and problem-solving through the whole cycle from initiation to implementation in a complex and dynamic organisation. You will be empowered to make key decisions utilising your knowledge and experience of retail or online logistics, along with an exceptional ability to analyse, manipulate and simplify complex data from multiple sources, often to very time-critical deadlines. Alongside your extensive experience managing large scale change programmes and cross-functional projects, you will be an exceptional communicator with the vision and capability to shape and direct the bigger picture whilst maintaining the attention to detail needed for successful solutions. A proven ability to influence and manage a senior audience by building strong working relationships is key, as is experience of account management including P&L management, cost control and service level management. A highly motivated and analytical individual, you will be an Advanced level user of Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets with significant knowledge and experience of Vlookups, pivot tables and IF statements; knowledge of SQL would be an advantage