B&M, one of the UK’s fastest-growing discount retailers, is hunting for its first head of data and AI as part of a major recruitment drive to put tech at the heart of its operational decision-making, supply chain, business planning and customer experience.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Liverpool, the 700-store high-street chain sells heavily discounted groceries, homewares, toiletries, DIY goods, toys, and electricals.
B&M has expanded its footprint significantly over recent years, acquiring multiple former Wilko properties and taking over collapsed Homebase outlets to open up branded B&M Home Stores.
Even so, the company has been hit hard by the cost of living crisis, sparking a ‘Back to B&M Basics’ plan from CEO Tjeerd Jegen, who joined last summer.
His comprehensive review of the business identified problems such as inconsistent pricing of key items, poor shelf availability of popular products, and overly complex product ranges that confused customers.
The strategy aims to return the UK business to sustainable like-for-like growth by cutting prices on key consumer goods, simplifying product ranges, and improving stock availability on shelves.
One of the key changes is to put data at the heart of the business under group IT director Suzie Williams, who has been at the retailer since 2001, having previously held senior roles at Pets at Home, Shop Direct, Littlewoods and GUS.
The new head of data and AI will report directly to Williams and take responsibility for shaping and delivering B&M’s data and AI strategy, while building the teams and infrastructure needed to extract greater value from the retailer’s data.
The company is also recruiting an AI transformation and adoption lead, a role focused on identifying and prioritising AI opportunities across the company and a solutions architect working at the intersection of business and technology.
On LinkedIn, Williams said: “We’re at an important point in our journey. Data, AI and better decision-making are becoming increasingly central to how we operate, and we’re investing in the people, capabilities and foundations needed to make that happen.”
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