Vacancies
Head of Commercial Strategy

Head of Commercial Strategy

Posted:

21 Sep 2026

Hybrid (Leicester, United Kingdom)

Buying & Merchandising

Permanent

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Overview

Home. There’s no place like it. And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and supportive culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.

We are the UK’s Number One homewares retailer offering c100,000 products building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.

We are ambitious in our plans to drive further expansion of the business to more customers, shopping more frequently, with more choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate at pace in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores and technology to improve the customer proposition as we move forward.

Department Overview

Dunelm are entering a new phase of investment, growth and transformation across the business.

Our Commercial team will be central to achieving the company's ambitious plans. Throughout the next 5 years we will need to evolve our commercial proposition at pace.

Our ambition is to simplify, curate and elevate our ranges whilst sharpening our value reality and perception, driving a larger share of existing and new customer spend.

This will be a significant change programme that will impact all areas of commercial, suppliers and large elements of the wider business.

Experience in leading the development and implementation of omni-channel commercial and category strategies.
Experience of omni-channel commercial environments, building and implementing commercial propositions across all channels.
Demonstrable ability to coherently define future strategy and implementation plans utilising both data & experience.
A track record of exceptional leadership, leveraging data and putting the customer at the heart of what we do.
Analytically inclined, able to work with large data sets.
A “get things done” mindset, knowing how to communicate the direction whilst delivering value quickly.
Strong stakeholder communication skills, especially to senior and C-suite members of the business - demonstrating a "stronger together" approach.

Valued Behaviours

Always start with the customer and working backwards to create the best customer proposition which showcases the Dunelm Difference.
Encouraging the team to adapt an ever more customer first approach.
Be curious, internally, and externally, continuously engaging with our industry, sector, and other departments to gain knowledge and understanding.
Building connected networks which unlock the true potential of Dunelm.
Create long term relationships with all our stakeholders at all levels of the business, making time to actively connect with colleagues across the business, with and without an agenda and creating pathways for easy communication.
Create long term supplier partnerships that are fair and collaborative, giving Dunelm a true competitive advantage.
Doing the right things for both our colleagues and the planet, building a thriving sustainable and circular business.
Promote critical thinking and a safe environment to learn and try, unlocking innovation and new thinking. Encouraging others to act on their ideas, guiding and nudging them forward.
Make the complex easy to understand, providing broader context and purpose in order to empower your teams and allow quick ways to value.
Enable progress, making pragmatic decisions and priority calls whilst not losing sight of the goals and responding to risks and issues responsibly.

D&I statement

Dunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Our commitment to you

Accessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.

Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you’re completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.

Work your way

We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Taking opportunities

Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it’s a really exciting time to join us.

Look in our toy box

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

Keep on growing

We want you to get as much out of working with us as possible. That's why we'll do everything we can to engage you in the process of learning, and encourage you to explore new opportunities around your particular skills and interests. For you, this includes:

Housewarming & Settling In where you can find out more about the wider business, our culture, behaviours, networks and wellbeing support

Thrive, our learning and skills platform which gives you a blended, bite-sized, social learning experience with learning relevant to your role

Our Enterprise Leadership Programme designed specifically for our strong growth potential Heads of Department to help them reach the next level in their career

Our INSPIRE Programme designed for our strong growth potential senior managers across the business to enhance their leadership capability

Our EXPLORE Programme designed to prepare our next generation of Line Managers

Personal Effectiveness workshops and self-led learning, also delivered through Thrive

Apprenticeships opportunities relevant to your role – from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) through to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters)

Colleague Development Fund to support colleagues in accessing external training relevant to your role

Coaching and mentoring to support you in your current role and help you prepare for the next

Functional academies that offer training to support you in the technical aspects of your role

Self-awareness tools to help you understand what really matters to you, and where your own talents and ambitions lie

Progress conversations that reflect on how you're doing and define your focus areas for the coming months

Career conversations that explore what you want from your career, in light of your current capabilities, potential and future aspirations

Meet your team

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"There's a lot of knowledge between us and we learn from each other. But there's also plenty of scope to explore your own ideas."

Sasha, Finance Manager

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"As a Wellbeing Buddy, I'm here to help colleagues talk openly and honestly about their mental health."

Abi, Internal Communications Manager

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"I’m surrounded by people, part of a great team and with a tea in hand. If I can walk away from my day knowing I’ve had a positive impact on someone, that means everything to me."