At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure safe, high-quality food products while driving innovation.
- Company: Join M&S Food, a leader in quality and innovation in the food industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and strong pension plans.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Food science qualification and experience in managing teams required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ 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.
As Category Technical Manager, you will lead and inspire a team of technologists to deliver safe, stable and legal products that meet the high standards customers expect from M&S.
You will build a high performing team, coaching colleagues to grow their expertise and supporting them with clarity and confidence as they navigate technical challenges.
Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will remain hands on, working operationally within your category to oversee product areas and supplier partnerships.
This blend of people leadership and practical technical ownership means you stay close to the detail while shaping the bigger picture.
You will influence category strategy, strengthen supplier performance, drive technical innovation and ensure robust governance.
Your ability to lead people, guide decision making and remain practically connected to the work will make a meaningful impact every day.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
Please note this role is a 12‑month fixed term contract.
- What you’ll do
- Lead, coach and develop a high performing team of technologists, creating an environment where people can thrive and deliver their best work.
- Drive the technical agenda for your category, shaping innovation, quality improvements and supplier performance through strong leadership.
- Guide your team through technical challenges and incidents, providing calm, clear direction that protects customers and the brand.
- Build capability across the team by championing continuous learning, structured development and technical excellence.
- Collaborate with colleagues across trading and product to ensure strong alignment and delivery of category strategy.
Who you are
- An inclusive and confident people leader who inspires trust, builds capability and brings out the best in others.
- Skilled at managing and supporting a team, with experience line managing multiple direct reports and guiding colleagues through change.
- A technically strong food professional with a formal qualification in a food related science and relevant industry experience.
- Calm and considered under pressure, able to provide clarity and direction during incidents or complex technical challenges.
- Committed to continuous professional development, maintaining strong technical knowledge and driving learning across the team.
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.
Category Technical Manager in London employer: Marks & Spencer Group
Join M&S as a Customer Assistant in our Food section, where you'll be part of a dynamic team that values hard work and dedication. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Located in Wolstanton, you will enjoy the benefits of working for one of the UK's fastest-growing retailers, with opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career while delivering exceptional service to our valued customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Technical Manager in London
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like Marks & Spencer Group face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!
✨Join Industry-Specific Groups
Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at Marks & Spencer Group.
✨Consider Seasonal Opportunities
Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like Marks & Spencer Group during these periods, as they often look for extra support.
✨Got Skills? Show Them Off!
If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at Marks & Spencer Group. Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Technical Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to Marks & Spencer Group immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and Marks & Spencer Group – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Group
✨Brush Up on Food Safety Standards
In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with Marks & Spencer Group. They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends
Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to Marks & Spencer Group's projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.
✨Highlight the Learning Experience
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!
