At a Glance
- Tasks: Review supplier capacity and collaborate on actionable plans for growth.
- Company: Join M&S Food, a leader in quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team transforming the food industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and strong analytical skills 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.
M&S Food continues to deliver strong growth across both value and volume, and to support this we need a supplier network that can scale with demand. As a Supplier Capacity Specialist, you’ll play a key role within the Supplier Partnerships team, reviewing supplier capacity and capability across the Food Group to ensure we’re set up for future growth. You’ll work closely with suppliers and internal partners across Commercial, Technical, Product Development and Supply Chain to assess capacity, identify risks, and build clear, actionable plans to mitigate them. This role also supports our Lowering Costs programme, helping uncover and deliver opportunities to drive efficiency and reinvest back into the business.
We’re looking for someone with strong partner management, a solid understanding of food manufacturing and capacity, and the ability to turn data into clear recommendations in a fast‑paced environment.
What you’ll do
- Own a portfolio of supplier sites, delivering end‑to‑end capacity reviews and presenting findings across Foods
- Analyse supplier capacity vs forecast growth to identify risks and support decision making
- Work collaboratively with suppliers to build capacity plans and deliver landmark actions
- Create clear, engaging recommendations for partners across Commercial, Supply Chain and Technical
- Support lowering cost opportunities by identifying and helping deliver efficiency improvements
Who you are
- Experience within food manufacturing, supply chain or a similar environment, including experience working in an FMCG food factory
- Strong understanding of capacity planning and manufacturing processes
- Excellent partner management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge effectively
- Analytical attitude with confidence working with data to drive decisions
- Resilient, proactive and able to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
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.
Supplier Capacity Specialist employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
At M&S Food, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and innovative employer, dedicated to delivering quality and value to our customers while fostering a dynamic work environment. As a Supplier Capacity Specialist, you'll benefit from competitive perks such as a generous colleague discount, tailored training, and robust wellbeing support, all while contributing to a purpose-driven team that values your insights and growth. Join us in reshaping the future of retail and enjoy the opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative culture that champions diversity and personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Capacity Specialist
✨Join Food Science Communities
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✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
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We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Capacity Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Marks & Spencer Plc, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Marks & Spencer Plc.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Marks & Spencer Plc. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Marks & Spencer Plc. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Marks & Spencer Plc’s mission.
