Technical Program Manager (Ref:196201)

Job Title: (flexible depending on ownership)

Head of Labour Optimisation (Blue Yonder) or

Senior Technical Programme Manager / STPM (Labour Scheduling & Forecasting)

Contract length: 3–6 months (initial 3–4 months with possible extension for handover)

Day Rate: £700- 800 Per Day

IR35: Inside IR35

Sector: Retail

Send CV to: james.robinson@forsythbarnes.com

Overview

We are seeking an experienced leader with strong Blue Yonder expertise to support and optimise our in-store labour scheduling and forecasting capability.

This role will play a critical part in ensuring our labour model is accurate, scalable, and aligned to business needs, including weekday/weekend demand and shift optimisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead optimisation of labour scheduling within Blue Yonder
• Configure and enhance existing labour and workforce planning models
• Improve forecast accuracy, potentially leveraging machine learning capabilities
• Translate outputs into actionable scheduling for stores
• Ensure the business has the right staffing levels at the right time
• Work across teams to integrate Blue Yonder outputs into wider business systems
• Partner with stakeholders across Digital & Technology (D&T) and operations
• Build on prior consultancy work (e.g. discovery outputs) to deliver execution
• Support transition and handover to permanent hire (starting July)

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience with Blue Yonder (especially labour scheduling / workforce management)
• Strong background in labour modelling, forecasting, and optimisation
• Experience configuring or implementing workforce planning systems
• Ability to work with data, forecasting models, and scheduling logic
• Experience integrating enterprise tools into operational business environments
• Desirable
• Exposure to machine learning / advanced forecasting techniques
• Retail or in-store workforce planning experience
• Experience working with or alongside consultancies (e.g. discovery → delivery transition)