Head of Foods Wholesale - International

With ownership of the total International Foods Wholesale P&L, the role defines long‑term commercial models, establishes clear standards for partnership performance, and ensures exceptional brand execution and customer experience at scale. Acting as the senior commercial voice for wholesale, it builds influential relationships with partners and engages at Board and ExCo level internally and externally.

Translating M&S’s international ambition into multi‑year, omnichannel growth plans, this role plays a critical part in bringing the very best of M&S Foods to customers globally while unlocking meaningful long‑term value for the business!

This role is suited to a senior commercial leader who loves a fast pace environment and has a track record of building profitable international wholesale partnerships who can bring our iconic food brands to life at scale. It offers the opportunity to shape global strategy, own a significant P&L, and influence growth across multiple markets and channels!

NB: Although this role is based at our Paddington Support Office a minimum of three days a week some overseas travel may be required to either within the UK or internationally 

What you’ll do

Your key accountabilities will include:

• International Foods Wholesale Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
  Define, own and deliver the International Foods Wholesale strategy, fully aligned to the wider International and Group growth agenda. Set and steer a five‑year omni‑channel growth plan across regions, categories and partners, making clear recommendations on market prioritisation, entry and exit decisions, and capital allocation. Own and continuously evolve the Wholesale Foods Playbook to ensure it remains scalable, market‑relevant and brand‑led.
• Commercial Ownership & P&L Accountability
  Hold full accountability for the aggregate International Foods Wholesale P&L, driving sustainable growth across sales, margin and cash. Lead long‑range financial planning, investment prioritisation and scenario modelling, ensuring all partnerships operate within robust commercial and legal frameworks. Actively sell the most appropriate M&S Foods proposition by partner and channel, holding partners and internal teams to account for agreed commercial outcomes.
• Partnership & Senior Stakeholder Leadership
  Act as the senior escalation point for key partner negotiations, performance issues and disputes, building trusted, long‑term relationships with CEO and Board‑level stakeholders. Represent International Wholesale at ILT, IMM and ExCo‑level forums where required, and influence senior internal leaders across Product, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing and Operations to deliver joined‑up, high‑impact outcomes.
• Brand, Customer & Experience Governance
  Set and own the global standard for M&S brand execution across all Foods wholesale environments, ensuring a consistent, high‑quality customer experience across stores, online and marketplaces. Govern adherence to brand, VM, TSL and operational standards, intervening decisively where execution falls short, and champion a customer‑centric mindset driven by insight and data.
• Growth, Innovation & Capability Building
  Identify and unlock new growth opportunities across range expansion, new channels, marketplaces and omni‑channel propositions. Lead innovation in commercial models, assortments and partner capability, while building a future‑fit Foods Wholesale team through clear expectations, talent development, succession planning and the embedding of best‑practice ways of working across regions

Who you are 

Your skills and experience will include:

• Senior commercial leadership in FMCG – proven experience leading international retail, wholesale or franchise businesses within fast‑moving consumer goods, with full ownership of large‑scale, multi‑market P&L delivery.
• Strategic, pace‑driven operator – able to balance long‑term growth with short‑term delivery in a high‑tempo FMCG environment, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset and a bias for action.
• Executive influence and customer sell‑in – strong Board‑level influencing and negotiation skills, with the credibility and capability to confidently sell into the world’s largest retailers.
• Omni‑channel and brand execution expertise – deep understanding of omni‑channel retail and brand execution, with a genuine passion for food, quality and the M&S Food proposition.
• People leadership in complex organisations – established track record of building and leading high‑performing teams within complex, matrixed FMCG organisations, driving accountability and results at pace

What’s in it for you? 

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.

Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:

• 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation

• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more

• Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours 

• Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future

• Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one

• Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal

• Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave

• 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services

• One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you

Everyone’s welcome 

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re reinventing, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re redefining how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. 
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.

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