Job Description

Retail Space Planner - Customer Proposition (Wholesale)
Attractive Salary, Benefits & Bonus
36.5 Hour week (Hybrid)

Newtownabbey

Who are we?

At Henderson Group we are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading grocery retailer. Our group encompasses Henderson Foodservice, Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail and Henderson Group Property.

We employ over 5,500 staff and have been placed 3rd in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2022. We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live.

Our leaders care about employees, and our employees succeed together and celebrate the success of others. We are interested in your aspirations, interests and skills and we strive to support and inspire you to do well.

A look into the role

Our Customer Proposition team which consists of Format Development, Space Planning and Customer Insights play a key role in shaping our store offering to meet the needs of our customers.

As a result of growth, we are now recruiting for a Retail Space Planner. Our retail Space Planning Team support our long-term vision and execution for category growth strategies.

The main objective is to develop category plans to ensure our stores carry the optimum range to meet consumer demand and maximise sales, profit and efficiencies.

As Retail Space Planner, you will:

• Develop, define, and maintain store Micro Layout Principles, defining the flows, adjacencies, and cross merchandising guidelines
• Play an integral role in the development of the Macro Layout Principles alongside the Retail Category Development Manager.
• Use product performance data and key insights from shopper & supplier research in the delivery of the optimum product mix and on shelf position
• Agree commodity strategies by format with Trading Managers & Category Development Managers
• Manage, control and deliver the Range Review process within a group of categories across Ambient, Frozen & Fresh departments as per Range Review plan
• Develop category planograms in partnership with Trading team to address current gaps and support the profitable rollout of ASR in HRL and HWL stores
• Measure the impact of completed Range Reviews and how they have delivered on improving sales, profitability and/ or efficiencies. Taking corrective action as required.
• Develop by store format the optimum bay count layouts across ambient, frozen, and fresh through analysing category performance (sales/ profit & efficiency) on a quarterly basis.

Skills for Success

Joining us as Retail Space Planner, the minimum criteria you’ll need is:

• Strong experience in the FMCG sector
• Solid working knowledge of Category Management, space planning, or similar retail/commercial environments
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, with particular expertise in Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and presenting insights in a clear and actionable format.
• Full Clean UK/EU Driving License with access to a car

The Attributes you’ll need include:

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to use initiative, solve problems, and make data-driven decisions.
• Creative flair and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring high-quality output in all tasks.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging confidently and effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Commercially minded and results-oriented, with a focus on achieving measurable business outcomes.
• Proactive in challenging existing processes and proposing innovative solutions to drive efficiency and growth.

It is Desirable if you have:

• Third Level Qualification in Business or a relevant subject
• Proficiency with QlikView or comparable tools for conducting rigorous data-driven analyses.
• Solid understanding of the NI convenience retail market
• Previous experience within food retail or wholesale environments
• Consumer insights experience
• Expertise in critical path planning to manage complex projects and ensure timely delivery.
• Hands on experience in Category Management
• Experience in space planning, optimising product placement to maximise sales and customer engagement.

Are we right for you?

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.

Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.

Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.

Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.

Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days.

You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success.

Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.

Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, bonus, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Reward Gateway Employee Recognition & Discount Scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid working arrangement available.

If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email joanne.mcclelland@henderson-group.com to get in touch.

This position will require travel across NI & GB as and when needed.

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Tuesday 7th April 2026

We are an equal opportunities employer.