Logistics and IT jobs under threat at M&S

Marks & Spencer is to start consultations on a plan to reduce the number of roles permanently based in central London by about 400 across logistics and IT, as part of a restructuring of its head office functions.

The proposals are centred on plans to reshape and redefine the organisation by reducing the net number of head office roles by some 525 roles. It calculates that this would provide annualised operating cost savings of about one per cent of the UK cost base.

CEO Steve Rowe said: “M&S has to become a simpler and more effective organisation if we are to deliver our plans to recover and grow our business. “It is never easy to propose changes that impact on our people, but I believe that the proposals outlined today are absolutely necessary and will help us build a different type of M&S – one that can take bolder, pacier decisions, be more profitable and ultimately better serve our customers.”

M&S employs more than 3,500 people at its seven UK head offices. The proposed reduction in roles would comprise existing vacancies, some 260 M&S roles and some 200 contractors.

The proposals have been developed following a detailed review of the organisation and an analysis of its processes and do not impact on M&S store employees. The review found that M&S has become too complex and inefficient. The proposals aim to address this by removing duplication, driving accountability and establishing clear, consistent processes; which in turn will strip out unnecessary costs. M&S has used the basis of the review to reshape and redefine the organisational structure in line with its strategy.

M&S will be entering in to collective consultation with its employees with regards to these proposals via its network of independently elected employee representatives, the National Business Involvement Group, which will give careful consideration to any alternative proposals.