At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of building and engineering specifications across our retail estate.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a forward-thinking leader in the retail industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to making positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and innovation in retail environments.
- Qualifications: Experience in technical specifications and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
As Technical Specification & Standards Manager, you will lead the development, governance and continuous improvement of building, engineering and equipment specifications across the retail estate. Acting as the technical authority, you will ensure all store development activity delivers consistent brand standards, safe and compliant environments, and cost effective, future proofed solutions aligned to sustainability ambitions. This is a key leadership role, managing a team of specialist managers and working cross functionally to shape specification strategy across new stores, renewals, refurbishments and store environment. Support centre mobility role with travel to Waterside and across the estate as required.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the development and governance of building, mechanical, electrical, refrigeration and equipment specifications across the estate.
- Set standards and compliance frameworks covering materials, finishes, HVAC, power, data, fire safety, accessibility and life safety.
- Own and evolve specification strategies to ensure alignment with brand, cost, operational performance and sustainability goals.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement through the adoption of new technologies, including energy, carbon reduction and refrigeration solutions.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistent delivery, quality control and effective rollout across all store formats.
What You Will Be
- Provide leadership to a team of specialist technical managers across engineering and equipment disciplines.
- Act as the central technical interface across Design, Construction, Procurement, Facilities Management and Sustainability teams.
- Oversee supplier engagement, ensuring high quality, cost effective and scalable manufacturing and installation solutions.
- Use operational data and performance insight to drive continuous improvement in asset performance and efficiency.
- Ensure all specifications support long term resilience, compliance and Plan A sustainability outcomes.
What You Will Bring
- Proven experience in building and technical specifications within retail or large scale estates.
- Strong understanding of fire, health and safety regulations and compliance requirements.
- Engineering qualification or equivalent industry experience within mechanical, electrical or refrigeration disciplines.
- Knowledge of energy and carbon reduction technologies and strategies.
- Strong communication, influencing and organisational skills with the ability to lead cross functional collaboration.
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.
Head of Technical Standards and Specification employer: Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly within the Corporate HR technology team. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and development, alongside competitive remuneration and benefits. Working in a dynamic location, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects that enhance the colleague experience throughout their journey with the company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technical Standards and Specification
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Marks and Spencer, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Technical Standards and Specification at Marks and Spencer.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technical Standards and Specification
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
