At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the resilience strategy for Produce, collaborating with suppliers and growers to ensure quality.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking food business committed to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while shaping sustainable practices.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field or significant experience in the food sector required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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 Senior Agronomist and Resilience Lead, you'll take ownership of the agronomy approach to resilience across Produce, working with category teams, growers, suppliers and technical specialists to drive best practice and influence future strategy.
You'll be responsible for leading key technical workstreams, supporting category resilience plans and representing Produce within wider resilience projects across the business.
Alongside resilience leadership, you'll own a category supply base, helping to shape sourcing, varietal and innovation plans that support quality, consistency and availability.
Working closely with suppliers and growers, you'll use your technical expertise and industry knowledge to deliver solutions that support both customer expectations and business objectives.
This role will suit an experienced agronomist who enjoys combining technical expertise with strategic influence, building strong partnerships and leading work that has visibility across multiple teams and disciplines.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What you'll do
- Lead the Produce resilience agenda, shaping strategy, influencing decision making and helping embed resilience principles across the supply chain.
- Own a category supply base, developing trusted partnerships with suppliers and growers to deliver exceptional quality, consistency and availability.
- Drive sourcing, varietal and innovation plans that support long term category performance and keep quality at the heart of the customer offer.
- Collaborate with commercial, technical and category teams to solve challenges, identify opportunities and deliver key business objectives.
- Represent Produce within wider resilience programmes and across the industry, bringing expert agronomy insight to strategic discussions and decisions.
Who you are
- Bring a degree level technical qualification or significant relevant industry experience within the food sector.
- Combine strong agronomy expertise with a sound understanding of horticultural production and grower relationships.
- Influence, engage and build credibility with a wide range of internal and external partners.
- Develop strong supplier and grower partnerships that create value for customers and the business.
- Understand customer needs, brand values and the commercial importance of sustainable supply.
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Agronomist and Resillience Lead
✨Connect with Local Farmers and Co-ops
Don't underestimate the power of local connections in agriculture. Get involved in local farmers' markets or agricultural co-ops. These are great places to meet potential employers and get the inside scoop on job openings before they're even advertised.
✨Get Involved in Agricultural Events
Keep an eye out for agricultural fairs, conferences, and workshops in your area. These events are golden opportunities to network with industry professionals and showcase your passion. You might even stumble across job boards or companies actively looking to hire!
✨Volunteer for Relevant Experience
Consider volunteering with organisations focused on agriculture, sustainability, or community gardening. This not only boosts your CV but also expands your network. You never know who might be watching your hard work and dedication!
✨Keep an Eye on Job Listings at Industry-Specific Websites
Be sure to check out agriculture-focused job boards and websites regularly. Companies like Marks & Spencer Plc often post opportunities on their own sites before anywhere else, so don’t miss out! Apply directly through us to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Agronomist and Resillience Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in agriculture, it's crucial to highlight any hands-on experience you have in farming, crop management, or sustainable practices. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're after, so be specific about the responsibilities you've had and any tools or techniques you've used.
Certifications Matter:In agriculture, relevant certifications can really give your application a boost. If you have any qualifications related to agricultural practices, pest management, or environmental regulations, make sure to mention them! They're great indicators of your commitment and expertise in the field.
Tailor Your CV to the Agriculture Sector:Your CV should reflect your passion for agriculture. Structure it to emphasise your field experience and any relevant projects you've been involved in. Don't forget to highlight your soft skills, like teamwork and communication, which are essential in this sector.
Passion is Key in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time position, we want to feel your enthusiasm for agriculture in your cover letter. Share why you're drawn to this industry and mention any long-term goals you have that align with what Marks & Spencer Plc does. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Get Familiar with Agricultural Technologies
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest agricultural technologies and tools that are commonly used in the field. Whether it’s precision farming tools or crop management software, being able to discuss these effectively during your interview with Marks & Spencer Plc will show that you're technically savvy and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Practical Experience
Since agriculture is a hands-on industry, be prepared to share any practical experiences you've had. This could be through internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects. Discussing specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them can really impress the interviewers, especially in a full-time role at Marks & Spencer Plc.
✨Understand the Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a hot topic in agriculture right now, so it's important to understand current practices and regulations in the industry. Familiarise yourself with concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, and environmental impact. Having informed opinions on these topics can set you apart from other candidates during your interview.
✨Practice Common Industry Scenarios
Expect to tackle a few scenario-based questions that mimic real-life challenges in agriculture. For instance, you might be asked how you would handle a pest infestation or manage resources during a drought. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview with Marks & Spencer Plc.
