Head of Marketplaces

Head of Marketplace
Location: Manchester (Hybrid)
Salary: £65,000-£75,000 DOE
Contract: Permanent, Full Time

About the Business

One of the UK's leading online retailers, offering stylish, affordable products for every room and budget. Since launching in 2009, they have grown rapidly through a customer-first approach, strong supplier partnerships and a passion for ecommerce innovation. They sell through their own website and the major online marketplaces, and are now looking for a senior leader to shape the next stage of their marketplace growth.

The Role

You will lead the strategy, performance and development of the entire marketplace operation, owning revenue and profitability across Amazon and a portfolio of established and emerging marketplace partners. This is a senior leadership position covering strategy, trading, operations, retail media, content, data and people management. You will report to the Group Marketing & Growth Director and have real influence at senior leadership level.

Key Responsibilities

• Marketplace strategy: Set the roadmap and turn it into clear channel, customer, product and investment plans aligned with wider business goals.
• P&L ownership: Lead the marketplace P&L, balancing revenue growth, gross margin, advertising efficiency, fulfilment costs, commissions and returns.
• Amazon leadership: Own the Amazon strategy, including commercial planning, range, pricing, content, availability, operations and account health.
• Scalable operations: Build strong governance across trading, content, stock, advertising, account health and customer experience.
• Channel expansion: Define the role of each marketplace and assess new opportunities on commercial potential, feasibility and strategic fit.
• Trading calendar: Coordinate product launches, promotions, seasonal campaigns and stock plans across functions.
• Partner negotiations: Evaluate commercial agreements, commission structures and fulfilment terms, leading negotiations where required.
• Leadership insight: Present clear marketplace recommendations to the senior leadership team, influencing decisions on product, stock and investment.
• People and agencies: Coach and develop the team, set clear objectives and manage agency relationships to accelerate profitability.

About You

• Senior experience: Significant senior-level experience leading marketplace, ecommerce or digital trading performance within a commercial retail environment.
• Commercial ownership: Demonstrable ownership of marketplace strategy, budgets and P&L performance.
• Amazon expertise: Deep practical knowledge of Amazon, including Seller Central, retail media, content, account health and operations.
• Marketplace economics: A strong grasp of commissions, fulfilment, advertising, returns, deductions and contribution margin.
• Profitable growth: Evidence of delivering growth through range, pricing, promotion, content and media decisions.
• Analytical mindset: The confidence to turn performance data into clear priorities and actions.
• Leadership and influence: Experience leading people and influencing senior stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Commercial judgement: Excellent negotiation skills and strong attention to operational detail.

What's on Offer

• Holiday: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays
• Birthday off: An extra day to celebrate
• Staff discount: Generous discount across the product range
• Pension: Competitive pension scheme, plus further benefits
• Growth: Career development within a rapidly growing ecommerce business
• Culture: A collaborative, ambitious team where initiative is valued and ownership is encouraged

APPLY NOW! For more information email elliott@forwardrole.com or call 07514950292

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