Senior Food Technologist

Senior Food Technologist

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead quality strategy and innovation in food products while collaborating with passionate colleagues.
  • Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retailer committed to quality and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in food safety and quality while shaping innovative product development.
  • Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and proven 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.

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 Technologist employer: Marks and Spencer

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 Technologist, 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 professional growth supported.
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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 industry contacts and let them know you're on the lookout for a Senior Food Technologist role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled challenges in food safety and quality. This is your time to shine and demonstrate your technical leadership.

✨Tip Number 3

Stay adaptable! The food retail world is fast-paced and ever-changing. Be prepared to talk about how you've successfully navigated ambiguity and shifted priorities in your previous roles. Employers love candidates who can think on their feet!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We recommend getting your application in as soon as possible since this role may close early due to high interest. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm for joining M&S and being part of something bigger.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Technologist

Technical Leadership
Quality Strategy Development
Food Safety Management
Innovation in Product Development
Supplier Partnership Management
Research and Innovation Planning
Product Quality Performance Analysis
Commercial Acumen
Resilience
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Collaboration
Degree-level Technical Qualification
Professional Competence (e.g., FIFST, MIFST)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your 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 Technologist role. We love seeing how you can adapt your expertise to our needs.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only technically skilled but also passionate about quality and innovation. Show us what makes you unique!

Apply Early: Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to food safety, quality standards, and innovation. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially in leading supplier partnerships or product development.

✨Show Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that showcase your ability to lead and influence others. Think about times when you've made tough decisions or steered a project towards success while balancing technical integrity with commercial goals.

✨Embrace the Ambiguity

Since the role involves navigating fast-paced changes, be prepared to discuss how you've handled uncertainty in the past. Share specific instances where you creatively solved problems or adapted to shifting priorities.

✨Align with Their Values

Familiarise yourself with M&S's commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. Be ready to articulate how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of making a real impact in the food retail sector.

Senior Food Technologist
Marks and Spencer
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