At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy for technology in M&S stores and ensure seamless execution.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader shaping the future of shopping.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to redefining the retail experience.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of retail innovation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in program leadership and a strong understanding of retail technology.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Technology Blueprint Lead defines the strategy and standards for the technology blueprint across M&S stores. Accountable for defining the outcomes and the journey plan and providing a rolling long term horizon view of the plan and the sequencing. Working with retail, property and technology partners to shape the demand plan ensuring teams are set up to deliver the blueprint consistently.
What's in it for you? Being a part of M&S is exactly that - playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We're an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever-evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing outstanding quality, value, and service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.
- After completing your probationary period, you'll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
- Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
What you'll do:
- Own and govern the Store Technology Blueprint as the single source of truth, defining hardware standards, target end states, and what good looks like - ensuring it remains stable, with intent, and aligned to roadmaps, supportability, and returns value.
- Lead rolling blueprint planning, maintaining a forward-looking refresh horizon for all stores, translating Digital & Tech roadmaps into clear, time phased technology intent.
- Orchestrate cross Digital & Tech demand, aligning multiple domains to surface initiatives early, resolve conflict, and ensure coherent sequencing before reaching delivery teams.
- Partner with Retail Implementation and Property, aligning blueprint intent to delivery realities, providing technical expertise, and ensuring clear handoffs for effective in-store execution.
- Drive obsolescence planning, governance, and blueprint integrity, ensuring proactive risk management, structured decision-making, consistent asset alignment, and a trusted, joined-up view of store technology plans.
Who you are:
- Validated program and portfolio leadership experience, with a consistent track record operating in sophisticated, scalable organisations.
- Deep understanding of retail / technology environments, particularly hardware deployment, lifecycle, and in-store considerations.
- Strong strategic capability, able to operate across multi-year horizons while balancing long-term intent with operational constraints.
- Experience working in matrixed environments, partnering efficiently with implementation teams without direct ownership of execution.
- Highly credible partner manager and communicator, with experience engaging senior technology, property, and operational leaders, and knowledge of obsolescence and lifecycle planning.
Everyone's welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail. We're redefining, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're redefining 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.
Store Technology Blueprint Architect employer: Marks and Spencer
Joining Marks & Spencer as a Store Technology Blueprint Architect means becoming part of a dynamic and inclusive team dedicated to redefining the retail experience. With competitive benefits such as a generous colleague discount, extensive training programmes, and industry-leading parental policies, M&S fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and wellbeing. Located in a vibrant environment, this role offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of technology in retail while collaborating with passionate professionals who are committed to making a positive impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Technology Blueprint Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on what they're really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching M&S's recent tech initiatives. Show us that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about how technology can enhance the retail experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Store Technology Blueprint. We want to hear how you can contribute to our vision and make an impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the M&S family.
We think you need these skills to ace Store Technology Blueprint Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in retail technology and project management. We want to see how your skills align with the Store Technology Blueprint Architect role, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, emphasise your ability to think long-term and manage complex projects. We’re looking for someone who can balance operational constraints with strategic goals, so share examples that demonstrate this.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Blueprint
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Store Technology Blueprint. Familiarise yourself with M&S's current technology standards and how they align with retail needs. This will help you articulate your vision and demonstrate your strategic capability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your validated program and portfolio leadership experience. Have specific examples ready that highlight your ability to operate in sophisticated environments and how you've successfully managed cross-functional teams in the past.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a partner manager, strong communication is key. Practice articulating complex ideas simply and clearly. Be ready to explain how you've engaged with senior leaders and resolved conflicts in previous roles, showcasing your credibility and influence.
✨Emphasise Your Strategic Thinking
Demonstrate your ability to balance long-term goals with operational constraints. Prepare to discuss how you've developed multi-year plans in past roles and how you ensure alignment between technology roadmaps and delivery realities.
