At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative food product development and ensure quality standards are met.
- Company: Join M&S, a trusted retailer committed to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food quality and sustainability while working with passionate colleagues.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject and senior experience in the food sector.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team driving change in the retail industry.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Summary
At M&S, we\’re working to be the UK\’s most trusted retailer, with exceptional quality products at the heart of everything we do. As a Senior Food Technologist, you\’ll help us deliver on that promise, bringing sharp thinking, creativity, and sound judgement to every challenge.
All the details
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.
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Senior Food Technologist employer: Marks and Spencer
Contact Detail:
Marks and Spencer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Food Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Brush up on M&S's values, recent innovations, and their approach to quality. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills. M&S loves creative thinkers who can tackle challenges head-on. Think of examples from your past where you’ve made a real impact and be ready to share!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the M&S family. Let’s get you that Senior Food Technologist role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share specific examples of how you've contributed to quality and innovation in the food sector. We want to see your enthusiasm for making a real impact in our food business.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience that aligns with the Senior Food Technologist role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate how your background fits perfectly with what we're looking for. This helps us see you as a strong candidate right away!
Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. Let us know what makes you unique and how you can bring your whole self to work. We’re looking for motivated people who thrive in a fast-paced environment!
Apply Early!: Due to high interest in this role, we recommend applying as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute! Head over to our website and submit your application to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity with M&S Food.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Stuff
As a Senior Food Technologist, you need to showcase your technical expertise. Brush up on the latest trends in food safety, quality standards, and innovation. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong technical leadership. Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects, particularly in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to influence decisions and represent your company effectively.
✨Embrace the Ambiguity
Food retail is fast-paced and often unpredictable. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated ambiguity in past roles. Share specific instances where you creatively solved problems or adapted to shifting priorities.
✨Align with M&S Values
Familiarise yourself with M&S's commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of being the UK's most trusted retailer.