At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality and innovation in food products, ensuring safety and ethical standards.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retailer committed to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, bonuses, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food quality while working with passionate colleagues.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and senior experience in the food sector required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We're looking for someone accomplished and confident in their technical leadership. This isn't a step-up role, it's a step in, to a position with weight and visibility. Our Senior Technologists are trusted experts. You'll represent M&S in the supply base, steer quality strategy, and make calls that balance technical integrity with commercial goals.
This role is hugely varied, and no two days are the same! You will lead on the quality, innovation, food safety, integrity, ethical and sustainability credentials of our products and work with passionate colleagues to continuously learn and step change our product ranges.
You'll move confidently between solo work and collaboration, adapt when priorities shift, and balance technical decisions with commercial goals. Food retail moves fast, and priorities aren't always clear cut, you'll need to be resilient, comfortable with ambiguity, and ready to solve problems creatively. And if in doubt, engineer more quality in.
If you care about quality, thrive on variety, and want to make a real impact - this could be your next move.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What you'll do:
- Lead supplier partnerships to ensure products are made safely and consistently to agreed standards
- Partner with the category team to shape innovative product development and define quality benchmarks
- Build and deliver research and innovation plans that drive strategic new product development
- Own product quality performance, using insight and supplier collaboration to deliver step changes where needed
Who you are:
- Degree-level technical qualification in a relevant subject
- Proven experience within the food sector, operating at a senior level
- Confidence and credibility to lead technical decisions, represent the business externally, and influence quality strategy
- Externally recognised professional competence where appropriate (e.g., FIFST, MIFST)
What's in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We're inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you've completed your probation
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you
Everyone's welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail. We're disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Senior Food Quality & Innovation Leader (Hybrid) employer: AgHires
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where innovation and quality are at the forefront of our mission. As a Senior Food Quality & Innovation Leader, you'll enjoy competitive benefits, including a generous colleague discount, tailored training, and strong family policies, all while collaborating with passionate colleagues to drive meaningful change in the food retail sector. Join us in shaping the future of retail, where your expertise will be valued and your growth supported.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Food Quality & Innovation Leader (Hybrid)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend food sector events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching M&S and their quality strategies. We want to see your passion for food safety and innovation shine through, so come armed with ideas on how you can contribute!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! In this fast-paced environment, we need leaders who can pivot quickly. Share examples of how you've tackled ambiguity and solved problems creatively in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Quality & Innovation Leader (Hybrid)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Expertise:Make sure to highlight your technical qualifications and experience in the food sector. We want to see how you've led quality strategies and made impactful decisions in your previous roles.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Food Quality & Innovation Leader role. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with our needs.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know what makes you tick, especially when it comes to your passion for quality and innovation in food.
Apply Early!:This role might close sooner than expected due to high interest, so don’t wait around! Head over to our website and get your application in as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at AgHires
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to food quality and innovation. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to lead technical decisions and influence quality strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires confidence and credibility, so think about how you can showcase your leadership abilities during the interview. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully led teams or projects, especially in challenging situations.
✨Embrace the Ambiguity
Food retail is fast-paced and often unpredictable. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated ambiguity in previous roles. Highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to adapt when priorities shift.
✨Align with Their Values
Marks & Spencer values quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. Research their initiatives and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
