Empowering change in Supply Chain: Meet Aisha Aslam

For International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating Aisha Aslam, Inventory Manager in Clothing & Home. Through reverse mentoring and colleague development, Aisha is helping to create a workplace where everyone can thrive. This year, Aisha received a prestigious award at The Penny's - recognising the remarkable women of M&S - for her work to drive a more inclusive workplace.

We spoke to Aisha to learn more about her role, her career journey, and why she believes confidence and authenticity are key to success.

Hi Aisha, tell us more about your role as an Inventory Manager.

My job is to make sure that we get our Clothing & Home stock to the right place, at the right time, in the right quantities so we can meet customer demand as efficiently as possible. It’s a balance of maximising availability, reducing costs, and optimising inventory turnover, ensuring that products are where they need to be while preventing stock from sitting in the wrong location.

A key part of my role is strategic thinking and efficiency to make sure that we minimise unnecessary stock movements, reduce operating costs, and maximise sales potential by positioning stock where customers need it most. To make this happen, I work closely with teams across Merchandising, Logistics, Visual Merchandising, Store Operations, and Distribution Centres.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

My team! I work with an incredible group of people who come together to tackle, what I believe, is one of the most challenging roles in the industry. Their passion, enthusiasm, and sense of humour make even the toughest days feel lighter. They inspire me to be the best version of myself every day.

The true magic of M&S lies in the passion and dedication of those who work here. It’s a place where people lift each other up, push boundaries, and work together to drive meaningful change.

Why did you choose to join M&S?

I joined M&S after a career transition and was excited by the scale of transformation and pace of change happening in the business. It felt like the perfect opportunity to make a real impact, be part of something big, and contribute to a brand I’ve always admired.

What’s been your proudest career moment?

I’m incredibly proud of my work in driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) conversations within Supply Chain & Logistics. I spearheaded the reverse mentoring programme, which has helped foster real change, giving people a platform to share their experiences and perspectives.

Beyond that, one of my greatest joys has been mentoring colleagues, supporting them through challenges, and seeing them thrive in their careers. Watching talented individuals grow into broader roles within M&S is something that fills me with immense pride.

What advice would you give to women interested in Supply Chain & Logistics?

"Stay confident in being yourself. Your unique perspective is your strength."

No role is without its challenges, but qualities like empathy, authenticity, and a caring nature are invaluable. Supply Chain & Logistics isn’t just about numbers and processes; it’s about people, collaboration, and problem-solving. If you’re considering a career in this field, know that there’s space for you to bring your whole self to work and make a real impact.

Interested in joining us? Explore career opportunities with us here.