At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and build strong supplier partnerships in a fast-paced food environment.
- Company: Join M&S Food, a leader in quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a focus on personal development and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or commercial roles within food or retail.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re reshaping our Food business to broaden its appeal, protecting the magic our customers love while modernising everything else. That means outstanding quality, high sourcing standards, and market-leading innovation remain at our core, while we transform our supply chains, improve our stores, and deliver better value. We’re looking for motivated people ready to bring their whole self to work and thrive in a fast-paced, ambitious team. After all, this isn’t just food… this is M&S Food.
Behind every great food range are Buyers who make smart commercial decisions, build strong supplier partnerships and move quickly in a constantly changing market. We’re building an ongoing talent pipeline of Buyers across our Food teams – including Ambient, Fresh and Hospitality – so we can connect with great people ahead of future opportunities. This is not a live vacancy, but an opportunity to start a conversation with commercially curious, confident decision‑makers who enjoy pace, variety and ownership. By getting to know you now, we’ll be well placed to reach out when the right role becomes available.
Our Buyers play a hands‑on role in shaping ranges customers trust and delivering results that matter to the business – and we’re keen to meet people who’d like to be part of that journey in the future.
What You’ll Do- Delivering sales, profit and cash performance in line with budget and category plans
- Building strong supplier partnerships to secure quality, availability and commercial advantage
- Developing and delivering category strategies using customer, market and performance insight
- Leading end‑to‑end commercial decisions including costing, negotiations and risk management
- Working cross‑functionally to land ranges effectively, compliantly and on time
- Buying or commercial experience within food, retail or hospitality
- Strong commercial judgement with the ability to interpret data and insight
- Clear communication and influencing skills with internal teams and suppliers
- The ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast‑moving environment
- A collaborative approach, curiosity and a drive to improve performance
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.
- 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
- 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Food Buyer: Growth, Partnerships & Impact
✨Get in the Kitchen!
Don’t just sit behind a screen—roll up your sleeves and get some hands-on experience! Join local food technology workshops or volunteer at community kitchens. This is a fab way to connect with others in the food science scene and show off your skills!
✨Join Foodie Networks
Some awesome opportunities come from getting involved in food science communities, both online and offline. Check out forums and groups like the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) for networking events and meet-ups. It's a solid way to meet folks and find out about job openings that might not be advertised!
✨Leverage University Career Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni, don't forget to tap into your school’s career services. They often have connections with companies looking to hire entry-level talent, plus access to internship listings that could be a golden ticket to your dream job.
✨Show Off Your Passion Online
Start a blog or social media account where you explore trends in food science and tech, share reviews of products, or even experiment with recipes! This gives you visibility and makes you memorable to employers like Marks and Spencer—plus, it shows you’re genuinely passionate about the field!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Food Buyer: Growth, Partnerships & Impact
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Studies:In the food science and technology field, your educational background is super important. You should definitely highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or research you've done. Make sure your CV pops with anything related to food chemistry, nutrition, or processing techniques. Trust us, it’ll grab their attention!
Share Your Passion for Food Science:In your cover letter, don't just list your qualifications; tell a story! Share why you’re passionate about food science and technology. Maybe you had a lightbulb moment in class or a fun project that sparked your interest. Let Marks and Spencer know what drives you and how you want to contribute!
Include Hands-on Experience:If you've had any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work related to food science—make sure to include that! Even if it’s just a lab assistant role or helping out at a food tech event, any real-world experience will make you stand out. Employers love seeing that you’ve applied your knowledge in practical ways.
Tailor Your Application Materials:Don't just send out the same CV and cover letter to every application—tailor them for Marks and Spencer! Research their projects and focus areas in food science and technology, and relate your skills and experiences to what they do. Showing that you understand their mission will make a big difference in an entry-level role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Basics
For an entry-level position in food science technology, it’s crucial that we brush up on the fundamentals. Expect questions about food safety standards, nutritional science, and food processing methods. Be ready to discuss any relevant coursework or labs that demonstrate your understanding of these key concepts.
✨Show Off Your Projects
Bringing along a portfolio of any projects you've worked on during your studies can really give you an edge. Whether it's a food product you developed or a research project you contributed to, illustrating your hands-on experience will help Marks and Spencer see your potential in action, even at an entry-level.
✨Brush Up on Tech Tools
Familiarity with specific software tools like statistical analysis programmes or food safety software will be beneficial. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked about your experience with data analysis. We should be prepared to discuss how you can apply these tools in practical scenarios within food science.
✨Passion for Food Innovation
Since this is an entry-level role, your motivation and passion for food technology will be as important as your knowledge. Be ready to share why you’re excited about the field and what you hope to learn at Marks and Spencer. Show that you're not just looking for any job, but that you genuinely want to grow in this industry.
