Skip to main content
Two individuals seated indoors, facing each other, in an office setting with large windows, furniture, and a red cushioned partition

Head of Value Creation

Greater Manchester
Apply
Job ID 1072477 Job Category Retail Support Hours per Week 37.5 Closing Date 28-10-2026 Salary 0
Please note this is an OD vacancy and only impacted colleagues who are at risk or placed in a pool will be considered for this role. If you are at risk or in a pool, you will be asked to confirm this in the application process.  
Applications from candidates who are not at risk or in a pool will be declined at this stage. The role may be re-advertised in future as a standard vacancy open to all internal candidates. 
Role title:  Head of Value Creation
Function: GCL Commercial Team
Number of reports: 6
Work level: 4
Role Summary
Purpose
The Head of Value Creation sets the strategic direction & provides oversight for Value Creation activity across the GCL Commercial Team. This role is accountable for delivering sustainable end‑to‑end profitability improvements & COGS reduction (target of £45m in 2026), leading the Value Creation Team to unlock cost, cash, and margin opportunities across the business whilst safeguarding our wider propositional & strategic commitments. The role partners closely with key internal stakeholders across Commercial, Propositions, Supply Chain, Finance, Sustainability, and key suppliers to embed a value‑led, data‑driven, and cost‑conscious culture.
Key Responsibilities

  • Own and deliver the GCL Value Creation strategy and multi‑year roadmap, aligned to Commercial, Customer, and Sustainability objectives. 

  • Set clear financial targets and KPIs for cost reduction, value creation, cash improvement, and economic profit growth. 

  • Lead category‑wide and cross‑categoryend‑to‑end value chain programmes, ensuring benefits are realised and sustained. 

  • Develop & champion best‑in‑class sourcing, negotiation, and supplier collaboration practices across Buying and Commercial teams. 

  • Ensure sustainability is embedded into all value initiatives, with a strong focus on waste reduction, packaging optimisation, responsible sourcing, and net‑zero ambitions. 

  • Build strong, senior‑level relationships with strategic suppliers to unlock joint value creation opportunities. 

  • Partner with Finance to ensure robust benefits tracking, governance, and risk management. 

  • Sponsor & drive the development and adoption of data, tools, and insights that enable buyers to make faster, better, value‑led decisions, improving Commercial capability

  • Act as the senior subject‑matter expert for complex negotiations and escalation topics. 

  • Develop capability across the Buying community through standards, playbooks, training, and the Buying Academy. 

  • Create a high‑performing, engaged team culture focused on curiosity, continuous improvement, and delivery.

  • Set value creation priorities and focus areas across the GCL Commercial team. 

  • Challenge commercial decisions to ensure optimal balance between cost, value, quality, risk, and sustainability. 

  • Sponsor strategic negotiations and supplier transformation initiatives.

  • Develop tools, insight & improvements in Commercial capability across the team

Knowledge, Skills, Experience

    • ​Proven leadership experience within retail, FMCG, or complex supply chain environments

    • ​Advanced commercial acumen, including an E2E understanding of cost, commercial levers, and interdependencies

    • ​Strong people leadership with experience building high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary teams.

    • ​Expert stakeholder management and influencing at executive level.

    • ​Experience of developing a multi-year strategic plan alongside key milestones & delivery requirements

    • ​Deep understanding of retail buying, sourcing, supplier economics, and risk management.

    • ​Strong learning agility and continuous improvement mindset.

    • ​Experience embedding data‑drivendecision‑making and digital tools.

    • ​Strong governance awareness, including relevant compliance and regulatory frameworks (e.g. GSCOP).

Apply

Whats nearby?

Explore location

Jobs for you

View all jobs

You have not viewed any jobs yet

You have not saved any jobs yet

Related content

Sign up to job alerts

Don't see what you’re looking for? Sign up and we'll notify you when roles become available.

Interested InPlease select a category or location option. Click “Add” to create your job alert.

  • Retail Support, Greater Manchester, England, United KingdomRemove

By signing up, I acknowledge I have read the Co-op privacy policy and I wish to receive email communications and SMS communications. I understand I can opt-out from receiving email and SMS communications at any time.

Employee smiling pointing at laptop computer