Head of Workforce Management

Zachary Daniels is supporting a high-growth, multi-site UK retailer in the appointment of a Head of Workforce Management. With a substantial network of stores and a large, diverse colleague base, the business is investing in smarter, more efficient ways of working as it continues its rapid expansion.

This senior role offers the opportunity for a Head of Workforce Management to shape and deliver a group-wide workforce strategy that drives operational excellence, optimises wage spend, and enhances customer experience across a varied retail portfolio.

The Role

As Head of Workforce Management, you will lead the strategic and operational direction of labour planning, forecasting, scheduling, and optimisation across all stores and support functions.

Reporting into the Chief Operating Officer, the Head of Workforce Management will ensure every hour, colleague, and shift delivers maximum impact-balancing service excellence with commercial efficiency. You will work collaboratively with Operations, Finance, HR, and senior retail leaders to embed a data-led, continuously improving approach to workforce planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a workforce management strategy aligned with commercial priorities and customer experience goals.
• Lead labour forecasting, budgeting, and modelling across trading patterns, seasonal peaks, and operational activity.
• Define and monitor KPIs covering labour productivity, cost-to-sales ratios, and scheduling accuracy.
• Oversee deployment, use, and ongoing optimisation of WFM platforms (forecasting, scheduling, time & attendance).
• Partner with Operations to ensure efficient, consistent staffing models across all store formats.
• Establish and refine labour standards, productivity benchmarks, and operational efficiencies.
• Use analytics to identify cost savings and productivity improvements, providing clear recommendations to senior leadership.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure wage budgets are accurately controlled and well understood.
• Lead communication, training, and engagement programmes to strengthen scheduling capability across the retail estate.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.

About You

You'll bring:

• Proven senior-level experience in workforce management or labour optimisation within a multi-site retail or hospitality environment.
• Strong knowledge of labour forecasting, scheduling, modelling, and productivity analysis.
• Experience managing large wage budgets and delivering measurable cost efficiencies.
• Proficiency with WFM systems (e.g., Kronos, Reflexis, Blue Yonder, Quinyx or similar).
• Excellent stakeholder and influencing skills across multiple levels.
• Strong understanding of UK labour laws and scheduling compliance requirements.
• A background in change management and process/operational improvement.

Interested?

This is a unique opportunity for a Head of Workforce Management to influence workforce strategy at scale within a major UK retailer undergoing significant growth and organisational transformation.

What's on Offer

• Salary up to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Flexible working arrangements: you can be based at HQ, in the field, or in a store location.

• The chance to take ownership of a high-impact role within a growing, dynamic retail business.